The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-04-08
fight IS COMING
SMITH and BLEASE FORCES Want
CONTROL gf CONVENTION
STRAINING EVERY NERVE
Forces Behind the Governor Are Max
ing Desperate Efforts to Capture
the County Conyentions-Smith's
Friends Are Making Every Effort
to Retain Control.

Preparations for the meeting of
the Democratic clubs throughout the
State three weeks from Saturday
night are being made by both friends
and opponents of the present COVER
nor of South Carolina, who is a can
didate for the United States Senate
to which the incumbent, Senator E.
D. Smith, will stand for reelection.
Under the constitution and rules OF
the party the clubs will meet on April
25 to elect delegates to the county
convention which meets May 4.
The State convention meets In Co.
lumbia on May 20, the first primary
election will be held on August %,
and the second primary on September
8. Realizing that control of the clubs
carries with it control Of the county
convention and through them domi-
nation of the State convention and
the State executive committee along
with the election machinery both the
Smith and Blease forces are on the
qui yive for the club meetings.
With both sides alert it is expect
ed that attendance at every club
meeting throughout the State will
break all records this year. The 1912
State convention was overwhelmingly
against Gov. Blease, his friends con-
trolling only about six out Of the "A
county conventions. This year the
Rlease faction is straining every
nerve to gain control of the State
convention and the executive commit
Tee and word was sent out long ago
to turn out and get control Of the
club meetings.
The Smith people are quietly de-
termined to retain control Of the
election machinery and capture the
State convention. The result is i'm
possible to forecast with any degree
OF accuracy. Former Gov. John Gary
Evans of Spartanburg is the present
State chairman of the Democratic
executive committee and Mr.. Christie
Benet of Columbia is secretary. Each
county convention elects member OF
the State executive committee and
the committee elects the State chair
man. N1r. Benet's name has been
brought forward for State chairman
and it is believed that he would
make an acceptable chairman to all
factions in the Democratic party. He
has not been sounded on the PROPOSE
ton by his friends who want the
party to secure his services.
While some minor amendments to
the rules governing regulations Of the
primary may be advocated before the
convention, it is not believed that any
radical restrictions will be adopted.
A plan to prevent enrolment Of a
voter at but one club and providing
for the filing of certified lists of the
club rolls some 10 or Is days with
the clerk of court in every county be-
fore the first primary will likely be
urged on the convention. There is
practically no likelihood Of any such
step as the restriction of the primary
to registered voters will be adopted.
One big fight before the convention
will possibly be the move to abolish
the county to county canvass Of can
didates. The suggestion to abolish
this plan is being warmly seconded
throughout the State and there are
indications that the move may be
successful. There is growing idea
that this biennial tour is working
more harm than good and that 1t
would be better for everybody to
have it discontinued. II the plan to
abolish the county to county canvass
is pushed it will stand good chance
Of being successful. The idea is to
let each candidate run his own CAM
paign and speak when and wherever
he pleases and not speak at all if he
doesn't want to is growing through,
out the State.