The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-15
T|LlMin ATTACKS LEVER.
CLAIMS CONGRESSMAN WAS
PLEDGED To SUPPORT HIM.
Refers To 1919 Campaign-Says Lever
Was Anxious tn Keep Secret His
Part at That Time.

rather lengthy statement replying to
Governor Manning. The new turn
which IL introduces is in the shape of
statements, first. as to the extraor-
dinary pains which Mr.. Lever was at
In 1916 TO keep II secret that he
was aiding in the defeat Of Blease
and. second. that MIR. Lever had prom
ised unequivocally to support him
(Tillman) for reelection.
The rest of the statement is taken
up mainly with arguments that the
governor had no business interfering
I'm the senatorial race at all, and that
Mr.. Levers best service to the State
would have been to hold on to the
important chairmanship OF the house
agricultural committee.
The letter. which was dated June 6.
had been released for publication in
the morning papers of Monday, June
= 10. Saturday night Senator Tillman
wired the papers TO which it had been
mailed asking that it be not printed.
Monday the following telegram was
received from him: "As the Charles
ton American, to whom 1t was not sent
or released. has published today my
q communication of the 9Th, II is here
by released and hope you will publish
It,"
The full text of the statement fol-
lows
Il have no desire to question Gov
ernor Manning's personal patriotism
but there are some features of his
attitude in regard to the selection of
successor to the Office l now hold
that feel compelled to deal with.
ITO quote his own words: This is
time. however, IL 1 may remark il,
which demands self -abnegation and
the subordination of selfish or am
bilious aims This patent truth stated
with such clearness causes me to won>
der how Gov. Manning con justify the
urging OF Mr.. Levec to give up the
chairmanship of ore of the great
committees I'm the house to offer for
the senate. Mr.. Lever had in this
crisis an opportunity such as comes
to few men TO serve the farmers OF
South Carolina. This he has thrown
away to run for the senate and also
attempt to jeopardize the chairman
ship or the committee on naval af-
fairs OF the senate. III I am not re-
elected the State loses the chairman
ship OF the committee on naval af-
fairs. III Mr.. Lever should win he
will 60 TO the foot OF all the commit =
tees on which he will serve, and so
would Blease.
Did Governor Manning consider
the States best interests when he ad-
vised and persuaded Mr.. Lever to
throw away the chiarmanship of the
committee on agriculture CT the house
To so into the race for the senate?
The State had successfully passed
through the floating of more than it's
share of the liberty loan. This is
evidence enough that the State of
South Carolina was loyal and true and
earnestly behind the president and
the war.
This over-subscription to the lib.
erty bond issue and the generous con-
tributions to the Red Cross on the
part OF the people of South Carolina
completely refutes Governor Man
. ning's statement to the president and
Mr.. Levers assertion i'm his announce.
ment that the causes OF the war and
the objects for which our country are
hghting will have TO be explained I'm
great detail on the stump this sum-
mor In every county or B'case will be
elected. and the people OF South Caro-
lima will go on record as cisloyal and
opposed to the war. For myself have
no doubt about the patriotism and the
loyalty OF the people of South Caro-
lima. and they are just as well in
formed as some people WHO set them
selves up to be their leaders. | have
no hesitation I'm rescnting such mis-
representations of their loyalty ant
patriotism.
II fully share the opinion of Pres
hent Wilson. who. I'm his last address
to congress. said: Politics is ad.
)ourned. The elections will go to
those who think least OF il: to those
who 30 to their constituencies with
out explanations or excuses. with
plain record OF duty faithfully and
disinterestedly performed. / FOR one
am always confident that the peo-