The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-09-25
diyidual CAPACITIES.

1t mas been suggested also tnat
this plan would go long ways 20
wards allaying much of the bitterness
wards allaying much Of the bitterness
which now is engendered by state
campaign, because personalities
would be overshadowed by issues. For
instance, such abusive campaigns as
lave been made against Mr.. Blease
would probably be eliminated.
:this plan would also eliminate
what is known as the undesirable
candidate" without sufficient follow
ing 10 justify his making a race, for
it is hardly probable, after the two
factions had met in a proper consti-
tuted convention and nominated their
tickets, that any man would run as
an Independent because it is to ne
presumed that each faction would
line up solidly behind its own ticket.
Much time on the stump would also
be saved, because there would Ee
only two candidates for each Office
and every one would have an oppor-
tunity properly to present his claims
to the people.
AS showing the good faith of the
former governor in the matter, he re-
piled as follows several days ago to
a very close friend of a prominent
gentleman who is now mentioned as
candidate for governor on the Reform
ticket. The gentleman to whom Mr..
Blease wrote is also close personal
friend Of Mr.. Blease. Il expect TO
take no part in the governors raca
until after the Reformers have spok-
en-" Mr.. Blease said, 'and when they
shall have spoken I shall fight to the
last ditch for the man that they agres
nnon AS between several aspirants
on our side, 1t would be impossible
for me to be honest with them and
with myself and work for any one to
receive the nomination Of the party
have already stated this to four
prospective candidates for governor
on our side, and each OF them seems
TO be satisfied with my statement TO
that effect, and l shall so act.
This position will be strictly .ad-
hered to by former Governor Blease.
1t may be possible, in order 10 ear
rv out the suggestion, that it would
be advisable to amend the present
rules of the party, as, under the con-
struction placed upon them by some
. ticket within the party nominated
by a convention would be barred.
The rules, however, could easily be
changed to NEE: the situation, and
even if they were not, they would oe
technically complied with, and two
straight tickets put into the field. u
would be far better, however, to make
the rules conform, and to give each
faction representation on the board
OF managers Of election at each pre-
cinct-two members each. This would
prevent fraud and charges of fraud,
and the people would be satisfied as
to the honesty Of the election.
AS a matter OF fact. the antf-reforns
party, at its famous elimination
meeting, at the Jefferson hotel in the
campaign Of 1914, in response to the
demand Of the anti-reform press. put
most. of it's gubernatorial candidates
ont of the running. This was simply
the convention idea in negative
form. and really resulted in the
election OF Mr. Manning as governor.
The rules should be amended so as
to allow the Reform party, the anti
reform party, the prohibitionists, an
ti-prohibitionists or any other party
to nominate a ticket within the DEM
ocratic primary, where the differ
ences could be threshed out, and then
a united front put in the general elec-
tion. thus continuing to keep out
the negro vote as a factor in politi-
cal contests between white voters.
That the Reform party, at least, is
going to agree upon straight tick
ct. there seems to be little doubt.
The members of the party are de-
manding it, and a convention will be
held to determine the course Of the
Marty