The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-04
THE POLITICAL OBSERVER,
PEOPLE WANT ISSUES DISCUSS
ED THIS YEAR.
Campaign for State Officials is Nov.
ing Along Right Lincs-VOtcrs arc
Disguised with COat.tail Swinging


to me that the State campaign is
moving along the right lines. l have
attended practically all the meet
lngs so far and, undoubtedly, the
people want to be informed on the is
sues of several races and don't care
to have the candidates deal in vitu-
peratlon and abuse. The advice CIV
en- the campaigncrs by MIR. Richard
l. Manning at Sumter on the opening
date Of the cOunty-tO-couAty canvass
Is being followed, in the main. The
people are insisting upon q discussion
of the things advocated by the candi-
dates and Of the qualifications of those
Offering for the State Offices and are
discouraging any efforts at personaJ
abuse.
Thus far practically onc-fifth Of
the campaign is ended. Nine counties
have been visited, for the most part in
what is known as the Pee Dee Sec
ton. Without question Mr.. Manning
las outdistanced the other candi-
dates for governor in the territory al
ready covered. Starting at Sumter
with the ovation extended by his home
people the Sumter candidate has
made a splendid showing in each Of
the other counties visited. At Flor
ence the Florence Times stated edi-
torially that Mr.. Manning made the
best impression upon the Florence
people of any Of the candidates for
governor. The Kingstree paper an
nounced the race is between Mr.. Man.
ming and one of the two Smiths. In
Berkeley, Clarendon, Marion, George
town, Horny and Dillon counties the
Sumter candidate was we'll received
and it was stated that he will get big
votes in these counties.
1T has been evident from the ini-
tial meeting that the Bieasc forces,
wherever we'll organized, will stand to
John G. Richards, Jr. From the sec
tions already visited this can be stat
! ed for an assured fact. At George
town it is known that the Blease
faction there is absolutely behind the
railroad commissioner for governor
The understanding is that caucus"
was held and Richards was named as
their gubernatOrial candidate.
Wherever partisanship has enter
ed SO far into the race Richards has
been the target for the charges Of
cOat-stail swinging and the like. He
has defended his position with tho
statement that he is no more coat
tail swinger than those who will vote
for others in the senatorial race Ma
Jor richards will support Gov Bleasc.
An interesting situation is the attacl:
made on richards by Williarm Irby,
Jr., another candidate rated as o.
'Blease candidate.' At Conway MIR.
lrby delivered fierce attack against
richards for coat-tail swinging. This
was in strong richards territory.
Charles A. Smith has been well
received in the sections through which
the campaign party has already pass
ed. lie was given Il 'sCnd-off' at Flor
enco his home county and made IA
flne impression in Marion. Il. A.
Cooper, solicitor, has made an un-
usually good impression wherever he
81 To
the campaign party for several days.
He is being mentioned as q strong
probability for the govcrnorship at
some future date.
Mendcl Smith and John G.. Clinks-
Gales are mentioned in the big five
AT Conway Mr.. Smith made a good
showing and at Dillon it was stated
he will cut into the vote Of Richards.
who is strong with the Blease forces
there although, it is stated. Mr..
Smith will take some of this vote
away.
Mr. Irby has made a better show
ing since his attacks on Mr.. Rich
ards. lie will undoubtcdly show M
better in the up-country whore he has
been u favoritc with cotton mill
workers for many years.
Mr.. Simms has not vet passed
through territory especially favorable
to Bleascisnl except in one or two
counties where he divided honors