Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-05-10
The Senatorial Race.

that the newspapers should have
to say about the senatorial
race. and we are taking little fling,
not because we have any special or
particular individual interest: but be-
cause we have q number OF readers
who would like to hear from us on the
subject.
The office of United States senator
Is only few steps lower than the
highest political Office in the world
that OF president OF the United States.
But this does not necessarily mean
that q senator is next TO the presi-
dent. The element Of personal equa-
sion enters here. The senate as a
whole can be made to mean more than
the presidency. That depends upon
the capacity of the senators. There
have been instances where senator's
were mere figureheads, counting for
nothing at all. and there have been
instances where an individual senator
has counted for more than the presi-
dent himself.
At the present time. Woodrow VIII
son Is president, and none of the sena-
tors count for a great deal in opposi-
ton to his wishes. Furthermore there
is no probability Of any immediate
change in that situation, and there
should be no such change.
Under the present lineup. there are
five candidates for the honor Of rep
resenting South Carolina In the Unit
ed States senate.
These candidates are Benjamin r.
Tillman, the incumbent Asbury F.
Lever, now representing the Seventh
district in congress; former Governor
Cole L. Blease. Hon. N. b. Dial and
Rev. j. E. Mahaffey.
We have our idea of the compare
tive strength Of these men with the
people. and- feel Like We could make.
a pretty good guess as to the order
Of their standing after the first pri-
mary and who will go into the second
race: but we do not propose to touch
on this, either now or hereafter.
Benjamin r. Tillman is an extra
ordinary man. There is no doubt Of
that. He has done a great deal for
the state of South Carolina, and we
think he has made some terrific blum
ders. We think he has done things
that were not at all credltable. But
his merits have outweighed his de-
merits, or he would never have lasted
thirty years in public life. Further
more, we do not think he has outlived
his usefulness. He Is not as close to
the people as he once was, but IL he
shall be returned TO the senate he will
he worth as much in that body as he
has ever been. AS q matter Of fact
we think he Is a more valuable sena-
tor right now than he was during his
first or second term.
Former Governor Blease has stood
wonderfully close to the people OF
South Carolina. Like the TiAman Of
twenty-five years ago. he Is most cor
daily hated by large numbers OF peo-
pie, and like the Tillman of that day
he has the unlimited support Of still
politics was a trade, and so II Is with
Blease. We do not mean that as a
reflection in either case. The chief end
of a politician is to lead the people
in the direction they want to go, and
n politician lasts just so long as he Is
able to do that. Blease has lost bat
tie or two because of greater odds
brought to bear by opposing politici-
ans; but 1t has not yet been determin-
cd that he has lost out with the peo-
pie. He Is an ADLER and broader man
now than he has ever been, and so far
as his political fortunes are concern
ed. the result Of the present cam
paign will likely be decisive. II he
wins. the possibility is that he will
make as distinguished record in the
senate as Tillman has made, and II
he loses, he will figure no more.
Mr.. Levers career has been one of
comparatively smooth sailing. He Is
a man of ability. There Is no doubt
about that; but he has never been up
against the rough and tumble storm
and strife through which Tillman and
Blease have had to blaze their way.
He has reached his present high po-
sition largely through length Of ser
vice; but 1t would be idle to deny
him very considerable merit. He has
an agreeable personality. broad vision
and constructive capacity Of high
order. II he shall be elected to the
United States senate he will make a
body.
Mr. Dial has no conspicuous politi-
cal record. He has been successful in
business, and so far as we have any
record. he Is O good, clean man. He
has the same right to aspire to this
high office as any other South Caro-
linian has: but II he has any especi-
ally we'll founded claim on the position
that will develop later. AS to how he
Is going to fare in this campaign Is
going to depent more upon the kind OF
campaign he makes than upon any
other consideration. II he Is able to
show the people that he has peculiar
fitness for the position, he will meet
support. II he puts IN his time trying
to show why the others should not be
elected. he will not fare so well.
Mr.. Mahaffey Is introducing what
may be regarded as a new. and for
politics., q novel issue. He makes no
claim whatever to political experience.
and in fact he scorns everything Of the
kind. He holds to the belief that the
Ten Commandments and the Sermon
on the Mount should be the only rule
of life. and he proposes to give the
people Of the state an opportunity to
decide whether they would have 1t that
way. He hopes to be elected, not 70
much for the sake Of the Office with
the honor emoulment attaching, as for
the sake Of securing a majority en-
dorsement Of his unusual political
platform
But this race Is not going to be de-
cided upon basis OF personal quail
and dement's Of the
altogether. Political
piums are not usually distributed on
that basis. A race for a United States
always appeals to great
er or less extent to every political In
terest In the state. and the deciding
elements are too numerous and COM
plicated to admit Of comprehensive