The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-20
DlElSE'S RESIGNATION.
E10HT WORDS WRITTEN IN RED
INK CAUSE SENSATION.
No Reasons Are Assigned and All
kmds Of Surmiscs ~ to Why Gov.
ernor Took such Sudden Action.


was all there was 10 the communica-
ton that started q whirlwind In the
legislative halls today. The note was
written on the stationery Of Cole L.
Blsase. lawyer. and not on that as
chief executive Of the state. A great
many who heard the rumor Of the
resignation aid not believe that II was
%. but when the house heard the for
NAL reading Of the note there was
considerable applause. and later on
when Gov. Chas. A. Smith sent his
special message No. 1 TO notify the
esnsral assembly that ne had quail
Ned a. governor there was another
outburst OF applause.
The history OF politics may be pic
tured to some extent by the fact that
the formal reslgns ton OF q governor
Of South Carolina was written on the
,ower Tgin received az information
and, that disposes oc tho whole mat
ter" II y . real case Of 'long live
The King"
/. Of course. II must be realized that
the unexpected resignation Of Gov.
BleAss created q tense situation. 1t
was Nike an earthquake. The news
paper men were the frs. to grasp the
situation and Ia fve minutes had her
aided the news to all parts of the
country. Lieut.. Gov. Smith. In COM
pany with friends. lost q very few
minutes In qualifying. but 1t was not
satisfying to have sensation like
this break" without asking the why's.
A yet no one has been able to an
swer. there are all sort sof reasons as
signed. OF course. every one knows
that Governor Blease Is a quick and
tmpulaive man and that he may have
Gone II upon the spur Of the moment,
put there are many who do not credit
BIN with such impulsiveness. Here are
. soms OF the many reasons that are
assigned for the unexpected resigna-
tion;
= Firk. that II was done for advertis-
tnG purposes.
:. second. that ne wished ID sivs cAas
A. Smith. with whom h0 had been
ysry. friendly. the privilege Of being
0oysSnor for ave days.
= Third. that he wished to oust Sem
stor LsGrsnd Walker from the posi-
don Of senator from Georgetown
county by virtue Of the fact that he
y president pro tenn Of the senate.
!, Fourth. that Gov. Blease is not on
such friendly political term, with Gov
slsct Manning thar he wishes to par
ticipats In the iatter's inauguration
and be present at the ceremonies in
cidsnt to the Inauguration Of one In
whose election he had no part.
fifth. that he did not care to enter
Into impeachment proceedings. Of
which there had been some rumor.
The last is probably the least prob
able. because Gov. Biease Is never
afraid Of q political resuit-nor does
he shun the limelight
None OF these may be the real rea-
son. because the governor has kept
his own counsel In this matter and
his resignation was limited to eight
simple words that had no bearing on
reasons.
AZ all events II In no longer Govern
or Blease. bat II is now Gov Chas. A.
Smith.
The senate In giving serious consld-
sration TO the status Of Senator Le-
Grand WAlker-after whose scalp IL In
suggested Gov. Biease is aiming.
Whatever may be done the senate Is
intent upon not sacrificing Senator
Walker and will not force another
election for senator for Georgetown
county. Many Of ,he best constitu-
donal lawyers contend that the
Georgetown senator Is simply act
Ing" and In the meaning Of the con-
stitution. and until be qualities as
lieutenant governor ne has not vacat-
= cd his office as senator. II Is also
suggested that the joint assembly hav-
ing declared the result of the election
In favor OF Gov. Manning and Lieut..
Gov. Bethca. that Mr.. Bethea Is In line
to be sworn In as lieutenant governor,
having been officially declared elected,
and that such proceeding would avoid
any complication.
Smiths FIRST Message.
When the house got It's bearings
during one OF it's intermissions q
messenger from the governor was an
nounced shortly before the result Of
the tabulation Of the vote for gov