The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-01-17
BLEASE FOLLOWERS
KEEPING EYES OPEN
Some OF the Blease Workers Think It
Is Time to Have Il New Leader.

$500 NSiI ~ olloIS tuS various
hlease leaders in connection with the
annual mcetisg of the General AS
sembly. Realizing the advantage of
Which lay with the early worm the
various leaders of tho minority fac
tlon arc sharpening their political
pencils and are figuring on what
course of action will land them at the
front of their ranks
or course those who have hereto
iore elthcr Dcen workers in the ranks
or holders of lesser Offices have to be
rcckoned with Cole l.. Blcasc For two
terms Governor Of South Carolina.
Air. Blease was defeated for the
oHited states Senate in 1914 and was
again last year when his faction pin
ned their chances on his winning the
race for Governor. And now they are
talking about Mr.. Blease again being
candidate for Governor in 1918. At
ieast at meeting Of some of the
readers here the other night styling
themselves the Central Committee" It
was given out that they called on the
former Governor to make the race.
but that some Of those who have
heretofore been workers in the ranks
or holders Of lesser offices think It is
time for new leader to come forward
Is evidenced by the announcements of
william A. Stuckey Of Bishopyille.
! FOR Governor and of Thomas E.
reeples, the present Attorney General
for Governor. Both have made the
positive announcement that they will
be in the race in 1918.
Attorney General Peoples has one
particular advantage which will an
peal to his faction, he mas been -
successfr! candidate. He was the only
one OF the Bleasc leaders in 1914 to
De elected and last year had no on
position, indicating that he has very
strong personal following cvcn among
people who have never voted for Mr..
3lease. He will enter upon his third
term next Tuesday and with an un
broken record Of victories behind him
especially appealing to those men in
dldate who has chance of winning
ms faction who want to follow a can.
IN addition Mr.. Peoples has made n
sood record as Attorney General and
| MS administration is progressive. His
recent organization Of the Engrossine
| department along the lines of eff
| cheney is one OF those marks of nro-
srcssiVeess that makes him formid-
aDlc candidate. 1t is believed that
while Mr.. Biease may appeal to that
| clement OF his faction which look on
| nm almost as Superman those who
are accustomed to looking to results
ana want to win will prefer Mr.
Peoples and Its results that count )"
as one political observer OF moro
lhan quarter of century said This
morning when discussing the situation
in the 8leasc camp
That Mr. w. A. Stuckcy VIII cs
pccially appeal TO the farmers OF and
among the Blcasc ranks is evident.
ne Is one Of the organizers and lead
crs OF the Secret Farmers Alliance
and has been doing ycomanry work in
the ranks for former Governor BlcaSc.
a student as we'll as farmer Mr..
Stuckey is filled with enthusiasm for
progressive legislation favorable to the
farming and laboring classes and he
sets the example by being good
farmer himself. His relations with the
tenant class of farmers, who consti-
tutc about 43 per cent Of the popula-
ton of South Carolina, illustrates the
man and they have great affection for
him. He was prevailed on to run for
Governor last year but gave way to
Mr. Blcase and his friends now think
it Is time for him to be given an op-
portunity.
It's an unussal situation for poll
tician to twice go down to defeat in
South Carolina and still retain his
hold on any considerable number of
voters. But it must be admitted that
Mr.. Bleasc Is an exception to the or
binary rule and he must be rcckoned
| with by any man who seeks to lead
| his faction. If he runs he can keep
any one OF the factions from winning
| and the same can be said of others in
his political camp. But the county Of
fcials and legislators who want to win
next time in the Blease faction will
want n man u,n con MI,
In contrast to the Situation of tho