The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-05-14
LOOKS LIKE EVANS.
Reported He Stands Good Chance to
Head Committee.

Columbia, May 9.-ln spite of I'll
rumors to the contrary it is evident
that former Governor John Gary
Evans. of Spartanburg. will be re
elected chairman of the State Demo-
cratic executive committee if he
wants the Job. This indication is
obtained from sources which are OF
unquestioned authority and it is be-
lieved here that Governor Evans
will accept reelection.
Representative w. F. Stevenson,
of Chesterfield county. was quoted
here the other afternoon as saying
that he would offer for the chairman
ship in the event that Mr.: Evans got
out of the way, but even If Mr..
Evans gets out of the way there
would be vigorous opposition to the
selection of Mr.. Stevenson, accord
ing to the way the current of mat
ters political is running. Mr.. Stev-
enson is running for congress up in
the 5th district, and many think it
would be a mistake to take any can
didate and make him State chairman.
Outside of this, however, it is evident
that Mr.. Stevenson's election would
be extremely doubtful.
Political centres are marking time
waiting until the State convention
meets on May 20. The admlnlstra-
ton forces are very quiet on the sur
face, but there are signs of much
coming and going, and it is believed
that they have about mapped out a
plan of campaign. The cheertulness
of their leaders and the many proml-
nent Bleasites that have been in Co
lumbia in the past few days are some
of the straws leading those in touch
with matters to believe that the ad-
ministration people have outlined
their campaign.
While rejoicing over the sweeping
anti-administration victory in the
county conventions the leaders of the
opposition to the administration have
not forgotten two years ago. The
convention then was overwhelmingly
dominated by the followers of Judge
Ira B. Jones just as the coming con-
vention will be in the hands of the
followers of United States Senator
e. D. Smith. 1t is true that the
Smith people are pointing out that
the governors followers, or rather
their leaders, made desperate efforts
to capture the club meetings this
year and were inundated. That two
wears ago the administration leaders
had not made any apparent efforts to
get control of the county conven-
tions, and this they are emphasizing
However, the lessons of two years
ago are in the minds of the leaders
Of the forces now in control of the
machinery of the party.
Primary reform will be the big is
sue before the convention, and the
friends of the effort to have the gen.
eral election requirements applied to
the primary are making a vigorous
campaign to carry the matter
through the State convention. Mr..
John J. McMahan and the Richland
delegation will be the leaders in this
effort, and it is believed that they
will attract support from other coun-
ties. A great many of the counties
endorsed primary reform, and there
is very little doubt but that some re-
form of the primary will be put
through. The only difference is over
how far-reaching and how stringent
the reform should be. Some of the
leaders are opposed to the PROPOSE
ton to make the general election
qualifications apply to the primary,
while still others say anything less
than this will be a makeshift and ac-
jcomplish nothing. This is the issue
over which the fight will come in the
convention.