The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-15


smith for the senate. some for Bleasc,
some for Jennings and some for Pol.
lock. and thero are some who are not
aoing to like what we are going Ia IA y
about the matter; but all the same
we arc going to say mt least a part
OF what we think. We would saw II
s'l' but that woald REQUIRE too much
space.
This night for tho United States
senate comprehends an interesting
political kame. Some of the features
OK shia same are plain enough for any
ooox to see. and others are involved
IN more or lees mystery and doubt.
The real race In between smith and
Biease-one standing for conserva-
tiosm and the other for reform. with
Jensh.ss and Pollock. helping smith
In accordance with plan carefully
prsarranged.
Nobody expects Jennings or Pollock
to Set any considerable number of
votes. They are not expecting any
thing of the kind themselves. II eth
Or of them should get into tho Sec
ead race with cithcr Smith or Blease,
the only man who would be more
surprised than himself would be the
other one. =
But Jennings and Pollock arc not
In this thing without motive. There
- no need for anybody to deceive
themselves on that score.
As to just what the selfish inter-
est behind the motive Of these two
poiiticians Is. We do not know. Pos
ao'y II In money-expenses paid from
some source. and a good bonus I'm ad =
dision. But We have no idea that
that 10 the whole motive. In case of
success In defeating Blease, whether
they themselves get any large vote or
not; both of these men will claim
further reward from the faction for
which they are working.
Everybody who has heard the sem
atoriai campaisners and even thou
sands who have read the reports that
have been published I'm the papers,
have noticed several things that seem
quite peculiar. Among these things
are:
4. While at every meeting both
Jennings and Pollock rap Smith very
lightly. both score Gov. Blease as
severely as the audience will permit.
=. While all the really hard
knocks that Smith Is getting are COM
Ing from Blease. Smith occasionally
comes back at Jennings and Pollock
In mild inoffensive kind Of way; but
never has a word to say about or
against Blease.
The whole thing looks like not only
q thorough understanding. but a very
comprehensive understanding.
Judge Jones. really an able and as.
tute campaigner. who twenty years
ago had the reputation OF being a
star Of the hustings almost i'm the
class Of Ben Tillman. tried to assume
the aggressive two years ago and pu,
Gov. Blease on the defensive. In the
second meeting Of the campaign. Gov.
Biesse became the aggrcssor. and nc
Kept Judge Jones on the defensive
On until the end OF the campaign.
With the circumsta noes related in
mind. and also recognizing Gov.
Blease's unquestioned ability as "a
eampaigner. the opposition leaders
this year framed up the present plan
Of campaign.
This plan is to have jennings and
Pollock do all he aggressive work,
and have Smith assume the attitude of
being n Blcaseite as far as possible,
with Smith only hghting back enough
to keep down suspicion Of collusion.
IL Is "a noticeable fact that the
personal viiihcation policy of two
years ago has been abandoned. The
sole object of that policy was to OBJ
scure the old factional lines; but the
policy having defeated itself through
its own viciousness, has been aband-
oned.
The principal reliance Of Governor
Blease To cripple the opposition is on
the carefully prepared speech he de-
iivered at ST Matthews and copies of
which he is broadcasting over the
State. In this speech he reviews the
political record Of Senator Smith from
the beginning. and absolutely proves
the active connection Of that gentle
man with the Independent movement
led by Col. "A. G.. Haskell. In 1890,
and makes clear a number of other
points on WIN, he would vest his
cause.
A To how the game Is going to
work out Is still matter for future
determination; but until IL is clear
that the crisis has been reached and