The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-11-20
Has Gov. Manning Lost Ground? {?

"o Wv. ho'uhhiS LOSC UrOunU!
There are many rumors in circula-
tion to the effect that Governor Man.
ming has lost ground. Perhaps no
one has travelled over the State more
thoroughly than has the writer of this
editorial and he has inquired the rea-
son for the governors loss Of influ-
ence. IL there has been an appreci-
able loss of influence. We found
some dissatisfaction In Anderson and
Union that may cause Mr.. Manning
some concern, but we think that has
been offset by conversions Of some
men who were not his supporters last
year. Mr.. Manning has lost some
votes in every county, perhaps. But
that was to be expected. No man cal,
hold all of his supporters in line IL
he tries to accomplish anything; for
those supporters represent in their
occupations, tastes and viewpoints a
great contrariety of sentiment, hence
n conflict of interests. Since each
man feels more than he thinks, there
Is inevitably some disappointment,
however earnestly a governor may
strive to serve the best interests Of
the State.
Mr.. Manning has made some mis-
takes that showed exceedingly bad
Judgment. as his controversy with
the attorney general in which the
governor is badly In the wrong; in
the appointment of DR.. Williams to
the asylum position at a salary dou-
BILE that allowed by law; in which
case the governors heart was right
but he had overlooked the fact that
such course would bring upon him,
and deservedly too. the censure of
those who regarded the salary of an
official the proper concern of the legis-
lature. not the governor. Then,
again. Mr.. Manning should not have
| asked for or permitted the special
the law officer and was elected by the
people. Furthermore the governor
gave his sanction to an iniquity in the
guise of local legislation relative to
Clarendon county that was not con-
sonant with the just expectations Of
right thinking people, and his reason
for approving a wholly improper act
did not control him when something
affecting the Sumter business men
came before him. though we agreed
with him i'm that instance.
But we have stated the case against
the governor. Is there nothing in
his favor? There is. He has honestly
striven to enforce the law, and this
Is the chief function in his office
He has backed up the officers Of the
law and has required them to take
the initiative In bringing offenders to
justice. He acted like a man in the
Charleston trouble and probably pre-
vented riot and wholesale slaughter
We have information that the arrival
OF the militia prevented a clash that
needed but the signal to begin a sa-
turnalia. He has devoted his best
thought and his private means to the
State. He has fostered every insti-
tuition and every agency that we have
for the education Of our boys and girls
and for the development of our re.
sources. He has stood before us O
man who has made mistakes but who
honors his State In the faithful per.
formancc OF his duty. He Is a Chris.
tian gentleman and fine specimen OF
our citizenship. We can commend
him because he deserves 1t. We car
forget the little mistakes in the larg
CT accomplishment for the State
Whether Mr.. Manning is reelected OF
whether he Is defeated does not altel
this fact-he has tried to do the righ
thing for the whole OF the State
Made mistakes? Oh yes! We too
make them sometimes, don't you.-
Manning Herald.