The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-03-01
Mr., STUCKEY TALKS
As IF HE WILL RUN
SBISHOPVILLE MAN CONSIDER
sss W ING ENTERING RACE FOR
GOVERNOR OF S. c.

Columbia, S. c., Feb. 24.-special:
That he will positively announce
within the next few days whether or
not he will be in the race for Cover
nor and opposing those planks in the
platform of Mr.. Cole L. Blease which
advocate reduction of the passenger
rates on railroads to two cents and
reducing the rates of interest, was
stated to The News and Courier this
morning by Mr.. W. A. Stuckey over
the long distance telephone from his
home at Bishopville. At the same
time Mr.. Stuckey emphatically and
positively denied the rumor that he
would run for Lieutenant Governor
on a ticket with Mr.. Blease.
"Under no circumstances will l
tax. second place on any mans tick
et," said Mr.. Stuckey, and added
that his announcement some months
ago that he would not run for Lieut.
enant Governor stands. He declared
In mmistakable language that he will
not be the tail to any mans kite.
Rates and Interest.
Disagreement with two of the lead
ing pIanks in the platform Of Mr..
Blease was expressed by Mr. Stuckey.
He said he and the farmers favored
legitimate corporations and were op-
posed to reducing the passenger rates
from two and one-half cents to two
cents per mile, and that they also op-
posed reducing interest rates. eve
are in favor of constructive legisla-
ton for the farmers" said Mr. Stuck
ey.
MIR. Blease in his announcement for
Governor said he favored reducing
passenger rates to two cents and the
reduction of the legal rate of interest
to 6 per cent.
Mr.. Stuckey is not only promi-
nent leader in the Blease faction and
in the past supported and worked for
Cole L. Blease in his races for Cover
nor and United States Senator, but
he is also prominent in the new Sc
cret Farmers Union, which has gain
ed a strong hold in the Pee-Dee sec
ton of the State. His statement this
morning that the farmers movement
opposed the planks in the Blease plat
form calling for reduced rates of in
terest and reduced passenger rates
are considered highly significant In
political circles.
The Bishopville man has been men
toned for Governor for some weeks.
and interest in what he will do will
be increased by his announcement
this morning that he has the matter
under advisement and will make a
definite announcement in the future.
He said over the long distance tele-
phone that if he ran for Governor it
would be on w. A. Stuckey's ticket,
and would not be an appeal to the
old factionalism. He will, he said,
advocate constructive legislation for
the farmers. The impression left on
the interviewer was that Mr.. Stuckey
is certain to run for Governor and
that he and the movement behind
him, the secret Farmers Union, are
frowning on every attempt to revive
the old factional lines.
Indicates Unrest.
The fact that such strong leaders
of the former Blease faction as Mr..
Stuckey, of Bishopville, and Mayor
Olin Sawyer, of Georgetown, are be-
ing brought forward for Governor in
dicates unrest and dissatisfaction
among the faction. 1t is an open Sc
cret that several of the leaders feel
that they are deserving of considera-
ton.
The positive announcement of for
mer Governor Blease that he is in the
race for Governor apparently settles
the question of what Solicitor R. A..
Cooper, of Laurens, will do. Those
who have watched the situation are
certain that Mr. Cooper will now run
for Governor, and while he has con-
sistently declined to talk for publi-
cation, it is felt here that he will now
announce. The interview of Mr..
Cooper last summer that he would
run for Governor eff certain condi-
tions arise" was taken to mean that
If Mr.. Blease entered for Governor
he would, too. The entrance of the
fromer Governor is now certain and
everyone believes that it is just as
certain that Solicitor Cooper will be
in the race. Announcement from
him is awaited with much interest.
Governor Manning will run for re-
election, and political circles in Co.
lumbia would not be surprised at
other interesting developments.
One rumor here is that certain in
terests in Washington are urging
Congressman J. F. Byrnes, of the End
Congressional district, to run for
Governor. This report has gained
wide circulation and includes, among
other reports, that the South Caro-
lima delegation are nursing the Byr-
mes boom.-W. F. Caldwell in News
and Courier.