The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-08-05
NQH0PE Of CHANGE
IN CAMPAIGN ISSUES
SCHEME FOR CONCENTRATION
OF INSTRUMENTATION
VOTES is DENOUNCED.
ANOTHER MEETING CALLED

No Schemes viii Be Considered
Which Does Not Give All candI-
dates an Equal Chance.
Antf-administration candidates in
the race for governor showed a ten
dency to split last week on account
OF the spirit of u~nfairnesss" that was
assumed to be in the anti-administra-
ton conference held in Columbia Sat
urday for the purpose Of considering
the concentration of votes on one or
two Of the anti-administration can
didates. The scheme was denounced
from the stump by some Of the six
candidates who are supposed to be
anti-administration because Of their
platforms or direct statements to
that effect, as a caucus prejudged in
favor Of one of the candidates. They
stated that they would not consider
themselves bound by the decision or
advice of such a conference, in which
they were not equally represented,
and some Of them felt that to surren-
der their claims to the governorship
would be a certain sign of political
death. Yet another conference, which
seems more just on the face, will be
called this week, but the opinions Of
che six candidates have not been
made public as to how they would
take to its decisions.
In the ranks of administration can
didates there has developed a new
feature; that was, the unexpected
attack on John G. Richards by Charles
Carroll Sinlms, who hayed the politi-
GAL record Of his opponent for his
vacillating. This was the first time
that Mr.. Simms had turned from his
path to attack a fellow candidate and
If continued, It is thought, will tend
to split the administration vote. W. G.
Irby, Jr., a friend of the present gov
ernor has for some time been speak
ing against Mr.. Richards, charging
that his opponent is but a recent con-
vert to BIeaseism. For the most part,
however, the charges have not been
answered by Mr.. Richards, who sell
dom fails to speak Of his friendship
for Blease.
In the meantime, the issues in the
campaign remain with no hope Of
change or debate. The candidates lay
Arm hold on their convictions as to
education. John G.. Clinkscales is the
sole advocate Of an immediate law
for statewide compulsory education
and against him are arrayed the argu-
ments Of Richar I. Manning and Men
del L. Smith, who favor a local option
compulsory school attendance law.
Robert A. Copper Is in favor OF any
measure that looks to the general
education Of the people Of the State
but he maintains that provision for
the education Of the children in the
state should be made before a law
compelling education is enacted by the
legislature. Charles A. Smith, who Is
the advocate Of submitting to the peo-
ple the question of state-wite prohi-
bition, Is also in favor Of the educa-
ton Of the people. Strongly in oppo-
sition to these stands on the question
of education Is the opinion OF John G.
Richards, who oppose compulsory
education in any form, stating that
such compulsion is contrary to the
fundamental sentiments Of the Anglo
Saxon race:
The question Of enforcement OF law
is gaining more prominence in the
speeches Of the candidates. In Char
lesion, Richard I. Manning and Men
del L. Smith, who continually de-
nounce the present condition Of disre-
gard for law, condemned the race
track gambling which Is carried out
in that city in utter disregard for the
special law that prohobits 1t In this
state. Here also, John G. Clinkscales
brought down C.. his head the Kisses
and shouts of denunciation OF many
in the audience for his statement that
those who operate blind tigers should
wear stripes. AS in many places IN
the state all promises by candidates
that they would enforce the laws as
they appear on the statute books
we're greeted with applause.
The Blease pardon record of hav-
inc turned loose more than 900 ne
groes and 800 white men in the past
three and a half years, has been
scathingly denounced and invariably
those, who speak of it, win applause.
On this point, too, there is agreement
Of intent in the statements Of Richard
7. Manning and Mendel L. Smith. Mr..
Clinkscales and Mr.. Cooper are also
strongly opposed to the indiscriminate
franting OF %pardons, but they do not
make It an issue. Lowndes j. Brown
ing. who "has never been accused yet
Of being for Blease," has been a
steady advocate of law enforcement
for many years. He, too, is against
the iniudicious use of the pardoning
power. With his plank of an econom-
ic administration in all state depart
ments, Charles A. Smith is also rank
ed mons those who will issue par
dons only in cases where 1t is thought
Justice demands an extension OF
clemency.
-- Il-ae orlnnt ~cInnnrfnrC