The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-06-18
Withdraws
From Senate Race
TO ENTER CAMPAIGN
FOR SEAT IN HOUSE
Seventh District Representative
Adopts Suggestion Of President
Lays Aside Chance of Promotion
to Again Offer Services to State
and Nation as Chairman of I'm.
portant Committee on Agriculture
(By P. H. McGowan)

the senatorial race and has again
announced for the house. When
asked if he had any statement to
make, Mr.. Lever said:
"The correspondence between the
president and me speaks very plain
ly and points very clearly to my
duty, which I fulfill in seeking a re-
nomination to the house.
81 express to those who have so
loyalty supported my candidacy for
the senate my everlasting appreci-
alton.
81 regret the embarrassment
which this action causes to those
who have announced themselves for
congress from the district, and to
me-"
The President's Letter.
The letter from the president to
Mr.. Lever, follows:
e. The White House,
"Washington, June z, 1918.
"Dear Mr.. Lever:
81 know that some time ago you
submitted your name for nomination
in the Democratic primary election
in South Carolina as senator from
that State and that the last day for
the filing of papers is the 18th day
of his month. There now seems to
be a very reasonable assurance that
no one will succeed in securing the
nomination in South Carolina whose
entire record does not make it plain
that he will support the nation and
the government with unqualified 10y
atty. in the vigorous prosecution of
this war to a successful conclusion.
I am writing to ask if this it not al
so your own view, and if it is,
whether you would not be willing
to reconsider your decision and to
remain in the house where you
would continue to serve as chair
mar of the very important commit
tee on agriculture. 1t is clear to
me that unless there are very COM
polling reasons to the contrary you
should do this.
"The past five years have been ex-
ceptinoa1ly fruitful of legislation of
vast Importance not only to agri-
cultural and rural life and to the
100000 Of people living in the
rural districts but also to the whole
nation and the world as we'll. There
is still, as you know, important and
critical measures pressing for solu-
ton. The regular appropriation bill
not only providing for the highly
important activities of the depar-
ment of agriculture but also con-
tanning an unfortunate proposal to
change the price of wheat fixed in
a proclamation issued some time
ago, is still pending. 1t is important
that this measure be disposed OF
wisely at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
"The emergency food production
bill with two unnecessary and OBJ
jectionable riders, which has passed
the house., has not yet been taken
up by the senate, and will doubtless
again require careful consideration
by the house before it becomes a
law. 1t is important that this meas
ure be passed before June 30; other
wise, the department may have to
discontinue activities essential to
the winning of the war or be great
ly embarrassed in it's efforts to stim-
ulate production and render assist
ance to the trainers in the solution
of emergency problems.
"The water power bill, which is
under consideration by the special
committee of which you are a men,
Der, is another urgent and import
ant measure which should be acted
upon as promptly as possible. 1t is
obvious that many other matters OF
vast consequence to the nation in
the field of agriculture will continue
to press for solution not only dur
ing the continuance of the war but