The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-13
LIST NOT OPENED.
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DECLINED no CALL SPECIAL
: e. CONVENTION.
Committee Discusses Senatorial Situa-
ton and Political Conditions Gen.
erally--Blease and McIaurfn Sc
vcrcly Criticised.

the proposal of taking the names OF
Cole L. Blease and John L. McLaurin
from the rolls OF the Democratic
party.
Strenuous argument on the part OF
several committeeman to let the people
themselves determine the question at
the polls at the August primary final-
~ prevailed against the disposition of
the committee to act summarily. The
alleged perfidy OF Blease and McLaur-
irs. an revealed in McLaurin's recent
exposure. OF an attempt to sell the
Democratic party out two years ago.
the Blease Independent" ticket two
Years ago. which ticket was alleged
by w. p. Beard. who put out the tick
OF. to have been named by Cole L.
Please. and the announcement by
Blease that neither he nor his follow
ers were bound by their oath to
support the nominees Of the party in
1915 and Blease's reiteration of fraud
S were the chief detectives of the COM
.miteemen's fire.
i T. III. Ketchin. State senator from
Fairfield county, and member OF the
executive committee. urged the ap-
pointment OF a committee OF FIVE. be-
fore whom Blease and McIAurin
should be summoned and if the facts
were found to be as published over the
names OF those friendly to Blease
and McLaurin at the time OF the va
rious Incidents. then to "kick them."
Blease and McIaurin. unceremonious-
~ out OF the party ranks. The ques-
ton Of this authority being lodged
with the executive committee, was
the storm center Of the debate. There
was no division OF opinion as to the
Just deserts OF the candidates In ques-
tion. Some OF the committeeman
took the position that the elimination
OF BIease and McLaurin from the
Democratic tickets would cause a
great furor over the State. II left to
the voters. proper disposition would
be made OF the issue In casting bal
lots The voters could be trusted 20
retain the party In Its purity and to
teouke those who had sought to be-
trny II TO Republicans.
The question was raised by John
Gary Evans. state chairman. who
said he was tired of the party ma
chinery being vllllfled and abused by
Biease throughout the State. and
charges OF fraud two years ago reiter-
atsd. when Blease did not have the
courage or manhood to protest the
election before the committee or TO
carry the question into the courts. He
was continuing this charge OF fraud
and partisanship against the present
committee in refusing to speak at
York under the hammer OF a par
tisan executive committee and would
not speak until che regular meeting
had been dismissed. He had also
consistently refused to follow the
itinerary as arranged by the execu.
i've committee. in further emphasis
OF his disregard for the party ma
chinery of the State. Effort to sell out
the party at n time like this and de-
stroy the faith OF the people in the
party which controls the State and
the national government constituted
ueachery to the State. the nation and
the head Of the nation. II was final
iy agreed TO issue the address OF Mr..
Evans as warning to the voters Of
the State against possible betrayal by
candidates now seeking their suffrage
In providing for the election OF a
United States senator for the unex-
pired term OF the late Senator Till
man. which will extend approximate-
v Two months beyond the tenure Of
senator Benet, the appointee OF Gov.
Manning. IL was arranged that candi-
dates for the short term would can
vass with the regular United States
senatorial party. A separate ticket
VIII be provided by the executive
committee for the short term candi-
didates. who will be voted for In the
regular primary for other candidates.
The assessment fee was fixed at $50
Monday was designated az the last
day for fiiing pledges and the cam
paign Is TO open the following day
with the other senatorial candidates
at Dillon. Senator Benet and Thos.
~. Peoples are thus far the only can
didates who have announced for the
short term.
John Gary Evans. state chairman.
was elected o rnepber of tho na,ioool