The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-09-28
Special to The Dispatch News.


Columbia, Sep. 25.-What kind of a
political campaign will be waged in
South Carolina the coming summer?
is the question now being asked here.
From present indications it will have
something of the old time spice in
jected into it, say those who claim
some knowledge of conditions
throughout the state. Already this
is considerable speculation in the
capital about the race for governoE.
A great many names have been men,
toned in connection with, the race,
though no definite announcements
have been made. With the next ses-
sion of the general assembly only a
few months away, gossip political
has begun to acquire some volume.
Many observers are of the opinion
that the next session of the legisla-
tangle and more prolonged wrangle
over appropriations than the last
talk AS next year will be campaign
year it is expected that there will be
considerable manouvering for politi-
cal position, and as the tax question is
always a burning issue, much cam
paign thunder will doubtless resound
through the Legislative halls. At the
last session Of the legislature COM
mittee from both houses was appoint
ed to investigate the operations of the
various departments and institutions
of the government and recommend
where consultations and cuts could
be made. The committee employed
some experts from without the state
to make a survey and report their find
ings to them This work has not yet
been completed, but announcement
shows a prospect of effecting a saving
of 100000 of the states money-if
and in the event the legislature sees
fit to adopt the suggestions which will
be forthcoming. But this article
concerns the campaign-and when We
speak of the campaign in South Caro-
lima we generally mean the campaign
for governor. Somehow we have
given to this office in our minds a
place out OF all proportion to that
which has been accorded it by the
constitution and the laws. But we
have for many political moons banked
high on our governors and taken the
campaign for that exalted office witt
a great deal of seriousness-expend
ing much energy and considerable
more time than is necessary or war
ranted in the election of governor.
Wise observers believe that the next
predecessors in this respect.
The question now agitating the
public mind is who is going to run.
What everybody wants to know is
whether former Governor Blease will
be in the race. Many of his closest
friends believe that he will. There
is a we'll defined rumor of recent cur
rency that he will not only run but
that the faction which he heads will
put out a full ticket in every congress
sional district and every county, es-
pecially for the legislature.
But there are plenty of other ru-
mors as to gubernatorial candidates.
Henry D. Tillman Of Greenwood, a
leading member Of the. bar Of that
city, is almost definitely committed to|
the race. He is son Of the late Ben
Tillman. He was a major in the late
world war. For many years he hasI
practiced law at Greenwood, where
he is very popular. He has never
sought political Office except when he
was a candidate against Fred Domi- |
nick for congress in the Third dis
trict. a nd was defeated.
Another prominent South Carolin-l
ian who has lately been mentioned
by many as a possible candidate for
governor is Mendel l.. Smith Of Cam
den, former circuit judge. Judge
Smith has been in politics for many
years, having served as speaker oil
the house Of representatives. Laterl
he was electd circuit judge, resigning
to enter the military service in time |
of war. He is considered one Of the |
most eloquent speakers in the state
and will undoubtedly prove a candi-
date to be reckonei with.
Senator George X. Laney of Ches- |
terrified county has also been men, |