The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-01-19
GARFER'S NAME WITHDRAWN On
5l 47th BALLOT.
Remarkable Contest.
Bamberg Candidate Led On First
Three Ballots Tuesday, Then
Dropped Down.

The joint assembly at Columbia
composed of the two houses of the
South Carolina law makers at 4:30
last Thursday afternoon elected Sem
at0r John Hardin Marion, of Chester,
as the associate justice of the state
supreme court to fill the unexpired
term Of the late Geo. w. Gage, also
OF Chester. This unexpired term will
expffesin August, 1922, but it is al
together probable that the present
general assembly will reelect Justice
Marion without opposition. His cleo
tion for the short term practically
assured his permanency upon the su-
preme bench Bamberg people were
keenly interested in this election for
the reason that the Hon. Jesse F.
Carter, of this city, was leading
candidate for the position, and al
though defeated, Mr. Carter's leaders
feel very grateful to the friends who
remained so loyal, and all things
considered, the odds against him,
geographical location and otherwise,
it is conceded even by those not sup
porting Mr.. Carter that he made a
remarkable race. And those in po-
sition. to know realize that the state
has lost the opportunity to acquire on
he bench the services Of one OF the
ablest lawyers in South Carolina, and
gentleman prominently qualified
in every respect for great jurist.
However, the state should not suffer
at the hands OF the eminent attorney
elected to the high position, the life's
ambition of every lawyer, for Senator
Marion, too, is amply fitted to render
signal service to his state in the ca
pacity wherein he has been called.
Justise Gage aied Feb. 18th, 1921,
while The general assembly was in
session, and the most noted deadlock
in the history OF the legislative cleo
tions resulted when attempts were
made to elect his successor. For 40
ballots the task was hopeless until in
utter exasperation the legislature ad-
ionrned and the members returned to
their homes throughout the state
without anything accomplished so far
as the election was concerned save
the fact that the flock of candidates
had narrowed down from 10 to four,
Mi. Carter, Gen. M. L. BoHham, OF
Anderson, Senator Marion, and Cir
'euit Judge s. W. G. Shipp, Of Flor
ence. OF these 40 ballots Bamberg's
fayorite led on 3s, was tied for first
place on one and dropped to second
on one, but closed in the lead.
When the joint assembly convened
Thursday to resume its ballots no new
names were presented; eight roll calls
were taken before an election was
had, making 48 ballots IN all neces-
sary to choice which will give some
idea of the heat of the battle, the
most thrilling and sensational race
ever recorded in the history of this
states judicial annals. With the first
vote taken Thursday, the 41st ballot
of the contest, Mr.. Carter remained
in the lead, being five votes ahead of
his nearest competitor After the
second ballot on that day Judge
Shipp's name was withdrawn and al
most his entire strength ultimately
tlocked to Mr.. Marion.
This could not be overcome and
after seven ballots it was seen that
Mr.. Carter's chances we're dwindling
and that the best he could hope for at
present would be to tie the deadlock
hard and fast and block an election
with little chance for himself to be
elevated on any early ballot. Rather
than do that his forces decided to
sacrifice him after making a great
race, and Senator J. B. Black, OF
Bamberg, announced to the general
assembly that Mr.. Carter's friends
need not longer consider him as a
candidate. That left only Senator
Marion and Gen. Bonham to be voted
for which resulted as follows: Mari
on, SO; Bonham, 70. Thus ended the
most dramatic race in the history OF
South Carolina legislative contests.
The eight ballots taken Thursday re-
suited as follows:
Carter. so Al SIS So 46 48 20.
Bonham As Al 81 40 49 46 62 72.
Marion AZ AZ So Sc SO 62 81 S3.
Shipp = IA "a.