The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-21
:. .I,IitE 70 FORMER
L. :. SENATOR McLAERIN
Rx governor Blease Urge Strong Or
saaization of Reform Party, Pe0-
PIE BEING Tired OF Having Elec-
ton Stolen by Organized Nj
nOrity
Charleston American.

op a recent editorial in the Greenville
Piedmont, there has been an effort on
the uart of a considerable number OF
the anti-reforlu party of South Caro-
lima to make it appear that there is a
split among the reformers because
CORNER United States Senator John
4 McLaurin, of Benncttsville, wrote a
aetter to Chairman D. R. Col-er, of the
State Council of Defense, ION the
heels of Coker's attack on Blease and
Blease's reply" Senator McLaurin
stating in his letter that 81 am writing
to you as chairman of the Council Of
State Defense because you might hes
ilate to call upon me because of the
fact that our political affiliations have
been different"
The effort. to create the impression
Ihat the McLaurin letter means split
IN the reform ranks shows to what eX-
treme lengths the anti-reform faction
is going at this time in it's desperation,
not hesitating to use even the war
emergency in its partisan fight.
AS matter of fact, this correspond
ent is not authorized in this connec-
&ion to speak for either Mr.. Blease or
Mr. McLaurin, and has asked neither
of them for statement in connection
with the matter, but the people OF
the state will realize that it is an ab-
surd proposition to contend that the
McLaurin letter to Coker is evi-
dence of any split" There are two
reasons for this:
The reform party of South Carolina
will give due credit to Senator Nc
Laurin for his patriotic offer of serv-
ice, not in any partisan attitude, but
20 carry out tthe real purpose for
g. which the State Council of Defense
was created-a coordination of South
Carolinas activities for the proseca-
ton of the war to the speediest SUE
cessful conclusion, and urging upon
every man to do his full duty in the
emergency. That has been the posi-
tion of Mr.. Blease in the various
speeches which he has delivered and
in the various interviews which he has
gwen this correspondent.
No Real Difference
The war having been declared and
the draft law having been enacted,
there is no real difference between the
positions of Mr.. Blease and Mr.. Nc
Ueurin. Senator McLaurin himself
vSuuld in all probability repudiate the
suggestion that an offer of his service.
10 the State Council of Defense has
anything to do with partisan politics.
The abrogation of partisan politics
in war emergency boards has been the
tight which the reform faction has
been making.
The second reason is that there IS
20 coalition between Mr.. Blease and
Mr.. McLaurin. Each speaks for him
self. 1t is true that in his recent ad-
dresses Mr.. Blease has stated that he
was speaking for himself personally.
and not for any party or faction,N but
he is recognized as the leader of the
reform party in this state, and his
public utterances are looked upon as
such. Where there is no coalition,
however there can be no "split." Sen
ator McLaurin supported former Gov
ernor Blease for governor last sum-
uer. hut he placed his support upon
the ground, not Of partisan politics,
but because he said he felt that Mr.,
Blease was the best candidate in the
race to carry out constructive policies
for the upbuilding of the entire state.
AS matter of fact it was thought
when the State Council of Defense
was being organized that because Of
his peculiar fitness Mr.. McLaurin
; would be a member of that council.
IT is not improbable that partisan pol
ltics was the reason for his being left
con the council Certainly in the civic
preparedness campaign it was appar-
cent that Mr.. McLaurin was Intention
ally ignored, taking into consideration
that ne was the father Of the state
warehouse system and one Of the lead
Ing farmers in the state, and that ha
had served the state in the United
States senate and in various othe!
high official capacities.
Self-respect would have prevented
Mr. McLaurin from making an offer
80 Mr.. Coker for partisan political rea-