The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-03-29
THE COUNTY TO
COUNTY CIRCUS

COUNTY CIRCUS.
A good deal of discussion is going
on just now as to abolishing the
county to county campaign. We
have not heard the views of Governor
Manning and Solicitor Cooper on the
subject. Ex-Governor Blease seems
to be opposed to the plan, but his
statement with regard to the matter
shows that, if adopted, the plan will
not hurt his chances Of election, nor
interfere with his right to address the
people of the state. He says in ef-
feet that he can draw a crowd any
where he chooses to speak, and that
his tongue cannot be bridled.
An neither can the tongue of any
other candidate be bridled. That
is just what we have been contend
ing-that abolishing the county to
county campaign in no way inter-
feres with the right and opportunity
Of any candidate for an Office, where
public speaking is the order Of the
day, to appear before the people and
discuss issues. We contend that it
gives to candidate better oppor-
tunity for this purpose, real chance
to discuss ISSUES, and that it elimi-
mates the charges and countercharges
of former campaigns. Governor
Blease has contributed the best argu-
ment for aboishing the campaign as
of former years which can be ad-
vanced.
Some of the candidates may not be
so fortunate as Mr.. Blease in having
an audience wherever they desire to
address the people, but that will be
because they are not seriously con-
sidered in the running. Our expert
ence is that people like to hear a
good campaign speech, and that
man who is seriously considered in
the race for an important Office like
that of Governor, can always obtain
q hearing. And with the means of
getting over the country, which we
now have, a man may address sever
al audiences in day. He can prac-
tically cover a county in day and
address all the voters in it,-that is,
if the people care to hear him; and
if they do not, he had as well be at
home following a more remunerative
occupation.
Some of those who have expressed
opinions in the matter seem to think
that it would be unjust to Governor
Manning to abolish the campaign at
this time, that it would be taken as
an evidence that he cannot meet his
antagonists on the stump. Nothing,
we believe, is further from the truth.
Governor Manning has already shown
his ability as campaigner, and no
body doubts his ability and willing
ness to meet any of his opponents
on the stump. 1t will hurt neither
Governor Manning nor Ex-Governor
Blease, because both of them are well
known. Solicitor Cooper will be
the loser, if the county to county
campaign is abolished, because he is
the ablest campaign speaker of the
three and will make more friends in
an audience than both of the others,
but we are willing to risk Mr.. Coop
er's chances on the new plan. He
will be able to see the people and to
let them see and hear him.
After all the plan, if adopted,
should be adopted for the good of the
people of the state. We advocate
it because we believe it will bring
about more intelligent discussion
of the issues of the day, and that it
will promote a better feeling among
all the people of the state. We
should not consider candidates in
the matter. There are numbers of
men in the state qualified to fill the
office of Governor. The convention
will not assemble for the purpose of
legislating for any one Of them and
it should not do 50.