The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-02


ssachsns the various people who by
petition and letters have requested
me 4, become . candidate for govern
or, II promised them an answer dur
ins tina present month. At this time
feel that can perform better SER
vice by ainouncing clearly my politi-
oil We've than BY becoming candi-
date TOR EOvernor. IT 10 probable after
! do that many who would have sup
ported me Will not do so and that
conditions will make II best that
should not run for ofiice. II Is evil
dent that factonai lines are to be
drawn In the senatorial race and.
while believe that I could be elected
~ avoiding this Issue. do not want
once on those terms. I have given
the matter careful thought and want
everybody TO krow beforehand Just
how stand. In order to get the ware
houss bill made a law had to reckon
with the veto power OF the governor.
and without the assistance OF the fac
tion then in power I could not have
moved step. j htvc always recognlz-
ed This obligation and do not intend
% forgot H. would like to be in q
position while yet have the mental
and physical strength to further de-
vclop the state warehouse system by
establishing direct sales. / would also
Ike 10 organize the machinery for
State Insurance. rot only for cotton.
hue other property I would like to
spe = budget system for appropriations
- as to iiy individual responsibility for
he waste of tax money such as is now
going on in South Carolina. have
made up my mind. however. that I
am not going to keep my mouth shut
nor rcompromise my convictions for the
sake OF any yNofiice on earth. Should /
90 on the stump this summer / shall
unhesitatihgly say that / regard the
election OF either Ex- x-Governor Blease
or senator Tiilman az a stupendous
bl,lnder. so far as the State is con-
cerned II will establish more firmly
than ever the present factional lines
and whoever is elected governor will
necessarily have to line up on one side
or the other. This 1 absolutely refuse
TO do. Outside of the local. issue the
consequences are more far reaching.
The attitude OF Governor Blease be-
forc the war has been bitterly hostile
TO the present federal administration.
Everybody who knows him under
stands his attitude toward the uues.
tons relating to the war and that ne
Will go any length once he has the
power TO obstruct the policies OF
woodrow Wilson. He Is bold and has
great ability I'm certain lines. His ad-
vent into the senate would greatly
strengthen LaFollette and little
ErouP OF willful senator's" who are
doing all In their power to hamper the
conduct of a war. upon whose result
depends the future not only for
America. but mankind everywhere. 1
could not make campaign speeches
apd dodge this issue. / cannot by ST.
ience make myself party to a nat
ional calamiy Of this character. SEN
ator Tillman IN incapacitated by ply
atc1l uaa knaoS for tho s.t .ao,o,,. ,,o.-,<
now required. 1 am glad to be able
20 say that I am sincerely sorry for
thia and I'm spite of the unjust treat
ment that have received at his
hends. were he physically fit to per-
form the duties. I would rise above
personal resentment and say that ne
should be left where he Is. This talk
about dying I'm harness is all rot.
"A broken down horse dying In har-
ness In cruelty TO- animals: ii is more
merciful TO loose the traces, knock
OF tho shoes and turn him out In the
pasture TO ruminate on things that
have been and are to be. 1t takes
strong horse to tote his side of the
singletree In these perilous days. II
is unfair 10 the balance OF the team
when the load Is heavy and the pace
so fast TO be handicapped by boz
SPAWN and heaves i'm an old horse
which won't work at all unless he Is
In the lead. The work Is too heavy
now Tor spike team. although that
is.better than a horse that won't even
try to pull. bites his mate and kick
at everything In sight. AIN not goinr
TO help harness either team. What Is
the use. one horse Is not able and thu
other will not pull load with Wood.
row Wilson as a driver. and we cannot
get anew driver (even IL we wanted
to) for the next two years. 1t is a had