The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1918-03-20


Governor Blease showed by affidav-
its that he had never seen the Fergu-
son letter, and declared that when the
editor of the State wired that "Blease
will fight Tillman," he wired what
was willfully untrue"
But these kilograms brought about
the eleventh-hour stab from Tillman.
Ihat is the record as it was written,
and 1T cannot now be camouflaged.
Ihe Reform party has not suffered
by Senator Tillman's DETECTION. The
sufferer is the senior senator himself,
who must by this time realize that one
cannot with lmpunity desert the peo-
pie who have made him with the ex.
pectation of finding as loyal support
IN the ranks of those who have always
fought him. The Lever attitude and
the Lever QUESTIONABLE" must have
brought this truth home very forciblv
to Senator Tillman.
With Senator Tillman's chances for
reelection gone glimmering, as a re-
suit of the opposition to him in the
ranks OF the anti-Reform party, in
terest centers upon Mr.. Levers attl-
tude and upon Mr.. Levers chances, if
ne should decide to enter the race,
which, is not regarded as probable: Mr..
Levers position at present was pretty
|
naire.' He is in receptive mood, with
strong desire not to antagonZc the
desires of Senator Tillman," but want
ing to succeed Senator Tillman if he
| is advised from down here in South
Calorina that Senator Tillman cannot
be reelected. This attitude has not
appealed to either faction, and has
weakened the support which Mr.. Lc-
yer would have had, had he boldly
made up his mind for himself as to
what his duty" was in the. premises,
instead of flirting with the Tillmar
! vote as self-contsituted apostle
whose "duty' it may be to run for the
nigh office of United States Senator
in order to "save to the state" It is
pointed out with considerable force
that Mr.. Lever might do well to Judge
the temper of the voters of South Car
ollna, by their action in the past, and
to recall to his mind that it was only
SIX years ago that chief Justice of
the supreme court resigned his office
to make the race for governor in Or
der to Save the state" The former
chief justice sacrificed himself with
out avail, and when he was defeated
the anti.Rcform faction, forgetful of
ms sacrifice, showed him the same
lack OF gratitude which has been
characterlstlc of it during the entire
political history of this state.
The condition of Senator Tillman's
health will not permit of his making a
campaign, and he has stated that he
VIII not 40 so, except through the
newspapers, assigning as reason,
however, that his duties will not per
mt him the time. This situation will
probably increase the activity of the
anti Reform faction this year to abol-
lSh the country-to-c country campaign.
Ihey may. succeed, but it will avai!
them nothing, because Mr.. Bllcase
VIII be able to reach the people and tc
state to them his position on every is
sue confronting them. He is opposed
TO the abolition Of the country-to coun-
try system, but whatever action is
taken in regard to it he has Stated
that he will endcavor to make a
speech within the hearing of every
man who desires to know the truth.
Ihe present political situation in
south Carolina has been shaping itself
FOR the past four years. 1t is the
natural result Of the "ring rule" of the
Manning administration-of the bitter
lpartsanship and extravaganza of a
bureaucracy which loudly proclaimed
that it would know no factionalism.
With free ballot and fair count,
the Rcformers will sweep the state
this summer all along the line. 1t is
pointed out by Mr.. Blease and other
leaders, however, that their first duty
IS to attend the April club meetings
IN order that the machinery of the
party may be made to represent fair
~ the majority Of the white voters
OF the state, and in order that the will
or that majority may not continue to
be def2atcd, as was the case in 1914
and 1916.