The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-01
PREPARING FOR CAMPAIGN,
BOTH SIDES HOPE TO CONTROL
CONVENTION.
Both Working Hard to Capture Smith
and Blcasc FOrccs-DemOcratic
Club Meetings.

Columbia, March 29.-Preparations
for the meetings of the Democratic
clubs throughout the State on April
20 are being made by both friends
and opponents of the present govern
or of South Carolina, who is a can
didate for the United States senate.
to which the incumbent, Senator E.
ID. Smith, will stand for recollection.
The county conventions meet May 4.
The State convention meets in Column
bia on May 20. The first primary
election will be held on August rs,
and the second primary on September
Is.
Realizing that control of the clubs
carries with it control of the county
conventions 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 vive for the club meetings With
both sides alert it is expected that at
tendance at every club meeting
! throughout the State will break all
records this year.
The 1912 State Convention was ov-
erwhelmingly against Gov. Blease,
his friends controlling only about six
out of the AZ county conventions. This
year the Blease faction is straining
every nerve to gain control of the
State convention and the executive
committee. Word was sent out long
ago to turn out and get control of
pie are quietly determined to retain
control of the election machinery and
capture the State convention. The
result is impossible to forecast with
any degree of accuracy.
Former Governor 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 chairman
Mr.. Bcnets name has been brought
forward for state chairman, and it is !
believed that he would make an ac-
ccptablc chairman to all factions in
the Dcmocrtic party. He has not
been sounded on the proposition, but
his friends 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 q voter
on but one club and providing for the
filing of certified lists Of the club
rolls some ten or fifteen days with the
clerk of court in every county before |
the first primary, will likely be urged
on the convention. There is practical !
ly no likelihood of any such step as
the restriction of the primary to reg
istcrcd voters being 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 sue
ccssful. There is growing idea that
this beGnial tour is working more
harm than good and that it would be
better for everybody to have it dis
continued. If the plan to abolish the
cOunty-to-cOunty canvass is pushed, it |
will stand good chance of being sue
ccssful. The idea to let each candi- |
date run his own campaign and
speak when and wherever he plcases
and not speak at all If he doesn't want
to, is growing throughout the State.