The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-02-03
SOLICITOR COOPER
AND GOVERN0RSH|P.
THE QUESTION OF LAURENS MAN
ENTERING RACE IS AGAIN
BEING AGTTATED.

BEING AGTTATED.
Columbia, January 30:-The ques-
ton of whether Solicitor Robert A
Cooper will run for Governor this
summer is again being agitated. and
no one will be able to decide that
question until Mr. Cooper makes a
statement himself about the matter.
This talk was heard from last sum-
mer, but appeared to quiet down.
However. that it is again being agi-
tated is evidenced by the the follow
ing, which appeared in a recent issue
of the Anderson Daily Mail:
'On returning from Columbia to-
day Anderson citizens who had spent
some time around the halls of the
General Assembly declare that the
Robert A Cooper for Governor
sentiment has come boldly and
strongly to the front again. and
thew firmly believe that the Laurens
Solicitor will be in the race when
the gong rings.
"The Cooper sentiment is general
throughout the State, according to
information that has radiated into
Columbia from all sections, and it is
growing stronger. Great pressure
is being brought to bear on him, and
there seems to be no doubt in the
minds of many but that he will be a
candidate this summer. The race
will then be three-cornered one.
with Governor Manning asking re.
election and Mr. Blease and Mr.
Cooper, declared the Columbia Wis
itor.
Now, since MIR McLaurin has
been reelected warehouse commits.
sioner, it is practically certain he
will not make the race for Governor.
He recently intimated that he would
run should he be defeated for re-
election as commissioner"
APPARENTLY SOMETHING IN 1T.
There can be no doubt that there
is something in all this, but just how
much is largely matter of individ'
ual opinion. Some of those who are
urging Mr. Cooper to run for Gov
ernor are sore" on Governor Man
ming, and still others, according tc
all signs and some additional infor'
nation, are affiliated with the Blease
faction, and are whispering this In
formation into Mr. Cooper's ear,
hoping to get him into the race to
split the Manning vote, and thus
give Mr. Blease some chance, as they
figure that solid vote behind Gov
ernor Manning leaves absolutely
nothing but certain and swift de-
feat for Mr. Blease in a race be-
tween him and the Governor alone.
Of course. Mr. Cooper is a very
popular man, but it is significant
that great many of his real friends.
those who are interested in MIR Coop
er's.political future, and are sincere
ly desirous that he do the right
thing, are advising him not to run.
but to wait until 1918. when he can
win in a walk, according to all the
indications. They don t want to see
him slaughtered in 1916, and they
don't believe that he will yield to
the Establishments of at least some
of those urging him that wish to
crush Governor Manning and care
really nothing for Mr. Cooper.
Those who worked for the popular
and able solicitor in 1914 are against
him running this summer, for they
believe the fight will be straight and
clear between Governor Manning
and his constructive policies on the
one hand and the opposition which
is attempting to get behind Mr.
Blease and run him.
TRYING TO CAUSE DIVISION.
Knowing from the bitter expert