The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-08-03
AS Others See Us.
(From Charlotte Observer.)

South Carolina. Blease is to the Don
key party what Pinchot and Bever-
idge are to the G. o. P. Blease's aim
is of course the United States SEN
ate, position in which the Demo-
Gratis would much prefer another
type of man if they are to regain and
have control within the next few
years. Blease is to make an address
at the annual Filbert picnic early in
August. 1t is here that the stormy
petrol of South Carolina politics has
broken more than once. His atti-
tude at Filbert on this occasion is ex-
pected to give some indication of the
trend of events.
There has been lots of Blease talk
for the last year and a half. 1t was
stated at one time that he would help
distribute Republican patronage.
Soon after President Harding came
into power the Old Guard leaders,
feeling that they were comparatively
safe for number of years, sought
other fields to conquer. With the
east, north and west salted down,
they went out to capture some of the
southern states. Georgia was to be
brought into line. J. L. Philips, now
under Indictment for war contract
frauds, was selected for the "Crack-
er state" reorganization job. A
team" from the national Republi-
can committee went down to help
put the plan over. Georgia Republi-
can leaders of years standing
as Henry Lincoln johnson and Ben
Davis were not consulted. Outsiders
were put in charge. The Georgia
plan fell through.
In South Carolina "Old Man" Joe
Tolbert ruled. Possessed of fine
plantation, and with real Republl-
can twist in his makeup, the Pal
metto boss had held sway for many
years. Sidney Bieber and other ma
tionar' Republicans went into South
Carolina in 1920 to organize it away
from Mr.. Tolbert. But there was a
slip somewhere, and the old war
horse continued to WELD the reins.
After Georgia had been licked into
shape efforts were made to put re-
calcitrant, sorehead or other styles
Of Democrats in charge of the pie
counter. Republican firtations were
carried on with John l.. McLaurin,
C. c.. Campbell and others. 1t was
whispered that former Governor
Blease might take hold Of the Re-
publican situation. But in a letter
to Tolbert, Mr.. Blease made clear his
position. He admitted that he was a
"Jefefson Democrat who rejoiced
over the election of Harding" but
he did not take the Republican job.
This "rejoicing" has now arisen to
trouble Mr.. Blease. The people of
South Carolina do not like for their
Democratic statesmen to get too gay
or be too happy over the success OF
the Republicans. The Blease letter
to Tolbert will be used against him
in the forthcoming campaign. Some
of Blease's old friends are very par
tial to the Lame Lion of S. Street"
and resent Mr.. Blease's sneers at
Wilson, and his rejoicing at "the
downfall of Idealism, which," he is
quoted as having said, gave us
nothing but fresh-made graves, wild
ows, orphans and billions of dollars
taxes, under. the guise Of liberty. We
have less liberty now than we have
ever had and fewer privileges as
result of Wilson and his henchmen."
|. And so the party is watching the
turn of the political tide in South
Carolina, and particularly is it watch
ing to see what Blease will do when
he gets the atmosphere of old Fill
bert into his system again. Some of
his most rampant declarations have
been made from the hustings at this
historic annual gathering. 1t is not
beyond reason to expect that he will
go on the warpath again. Blease
apparently is constitutionally and
traditionally opposed to all govern
ment except a Blease government.
The war and it's trials are not so far
behind US that South Carlinians have
forgotten the Tolbert letter and
Blease's defamatory and unpatriotic
utterances in that connection.
Unmarried Life.
va vo,, poffipn o1nn