The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-05-07
LEVERS ENTRANCE IN RACE &C
AS VIEWED BY REFORMERS.

cludinr Congressman Levers an
nouncement for the United States sen
ate, have confirmed and strengthened
the unity of the Reform party which
is standing solidly behind one sena-
torial candidate, and have shown UP
he weakness of the opposition, OF
which Mr.. Levers announcement. fol-
lowing close upon the heels of the
Democratic club meetings last Satur-
day is virtually an admission.
There are now four anti-Reform
candidates in the senatorial race
They are: Senator Tillman, who Is
seeking reelection; Congressman 4.
F. Lever, who is surrendering the
craftsmanship of the important house
committee On agriculture in an effort
to oust Senator Tillman and take his
place; Mr.. n. B. Dial, of Laurens.
prominent business man of the Pied.
mont, and the Rev. J. E. Makaffey, CT
York. The bars have been let down,
and other announcements would not
come as surprise.
Were Not Pleased.
That the Democratic club meetings
on last Saturday were not satisfactory
TO the anti-Reform faction, is shown
by Levers announcement. Senator
Tillman did not show such strength
that the anti-Reformers were willing
to risk him against Mr.. Blease, and
the hurried trip of Mr.. Lever to South
Carolina for yesterdays conference,
followed by his announcement last
night, was the result. The entrance
of Mr. Lever into the race will have
the effect of dividing the anti-Reforr,
vote between him and the senior SEN
ator, with some votes, of couse, 60
ing to the two other candidates on
that side Of the fence. Whether or
not Mr.. Lever will be able to develop
sufficient strength to give him a lead
on that side over Senator Tillman re-
mains to be seen. At this time it ap-
pears very much as if Mr.. Lever is Ii
about the same position as that oc-
cupied in the gubernatorial race by
Mr.. Robert A Cooper, of Laurens, III
1914. A factor in the politics Of the
state, he is entering a race where the
lines have already been drawn by two
well-defned political factions, and the
supreme difficulty which he faces IS
to get into a second race, if there
should be a second primary. With
the Reform ranks intact, except, Of
course, as a candidate on the othe"
side might draw a few votes here and
there On account Of personal friend
ships, and with the anti-Reform fac
ton split. the principal interest JUST
at this time is as to how much in
roads Mr.. Lever can make upon what
would otherwise have been the Till
man following.
Anti Reform Press.
A number of the anti-Reform news
papers and number of their political
leaders are already committed openly
to the candidacy of Mr.. Tillman, and
will continue to support him. Mr..
Tillman has been one OF the most
prominent figures in political life il
South Carolina for the past 2S years
He still has some personal following
and he has had committed to him :.
large percentage OF the bitterly par
tisan anti-Reform influence. How
much of that following can Mr. Lever
take over? For it is to the anti-Re-
form faction, now led by Mr.. TillmaH,
that Mr.. Lever must look for his
strength, in the hope OF being able
to wedge Senator Tillman out of the
way and go into second race with
Mr.. Blease, in case Mr.. Blease should
not be elected On the first ballot. Mr.
Lever can only justify his entrance
into tan rece on the ground that Sena j..
tor Tillman should be displaced; that
the senior senator is not the proper
man to represent South Carolina III
the United States senate at this time
Either that. or he must contend thai
the anti-Reform party, under the lea
ership of Tillman, was practically de-
feated before the campaign opened,
and that ne got into the race to try to
save sinking ship.
Mr.. Blease, the Reform leader. had
no further comment to make todNi
upon the recent developments. In his
statment given to the press last night
he said that Mr. Levers announce
nopf e}ro,otbooo3 op5 nnpEr,,oc b;o