The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-03-08
POLITICIANS BUSY
PLAYING FOR PLACE.
GOVERNOR AND FRIENDS MAX.
ING NO COMMENT ON AN.
NOUNCEMENTS. =

Columbia, March Especial:
Those close in the confidence Of
Governor Manning nave not seen fit
to make public any comment on the
various announcements and near an
nouncements of candidates, both ac-
tive and prospective, who will contest
with the Governor for the nomina-
ton at the hands of the Democrats
in the coming primaries for the posi-
ton of Chief Magistrate. That the
friends of the Governor are keeping
in close touch with the situation, and
are watching closely every move on
the political chessboard is known, but
they are not talking for publication.
They are evidently of the opinion
that watchful waiting is the best poll
icy which can be pursued for the
present, for they are known to feel
that it is still too far away from the
campaign for the different elements
and issues to be clarified. That
there will be much shifting and
changing in their opinion between
now and the opening Of the campaign
While Governor Manning has not
formally announced his candidacy for
reelection it is known that he will
run. Several upstate papers this
last week said friends of the Govern
or had received letters saying he was
in the race for reelection.
Cooper and Stuckey. - .,,
The public attention is centred
right at present on what Solicitor r.
A. Cooper, of Laurens, and Mr.. w.
A. Stuckey, of Bishopville, will do.
That both are being urged to enter
the race for Governor is known
throughout the length and breadth
of the State. The attitude of Solici-
tor Cooper and Mr.. Stuckey will have
a most important bearing on the out
come of the campaign in the opinion
of well posted and impartial political
observers. ~:
Former Governor Cole l.. Blease
has formally announced that he will
seek election to the Governorship,
and his friends are making an active
campaign for him.
There is a widespread and increas-
ing demand throughout the State for
the Democratic State Convention to
abolish the county-to-county canvass
of the candidates. The sentiment for
the doing away of. this archaic me.
thod of campaigning is on the In.
crease for impartial, and unbiased
observers declare that this political
circus does the State grest' deat,of
harm and no good at all. They Dc!
clare that without it factionalism
would die and candidates would have
to discuss issues instead OF one an
other, as it is almost imperative un-
der the county-to-county canvass to
get any attention. When the Demo-
cratic clubs meet in. April to elect
delegates to the county conventions
this matter will come up and efforts
will be made to send up instructed
delegations to knock out the county
to-county canvass, It is said.
Duncan Out Again. r.. ~
John T. Duncan has again an
his candidacy for Governor.
Mr.. Duncan declares that the people
are tired of the factionalism and are
ready for a new deal. =.
j. M. DesChamps, of Columbia, has
also announced his candidacy for
Governor on the Democratic ticket.
He is an author and lecturer and is
making an extensive newspaper ad-
vertisins campaign of his platform,
on which he will ask the Democrats
of the State to nominate him.
Democrats will cease their. differ
ences this week to see what the Re-
publicans will do regarding State
ticket. The Republican State Con-
vention meets in Columbia on Tues
day to elect delegates to- the Nation
al Convention in Chicago and to de-
eide whether or not to put State
ticket in the field to oppose the DEM
ocrats. It is not likely that any
State ticket will be nominated by
F. Caldwell in News and
Courier