The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-18
VOTE STRAIGHT CAROLINA RULE CHAFES PARTY
Democratic Faction Sees Situation Involving
 Negro Support
BY ROYCE CRAIG 1ited Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Columbus, S. C., May 18-(UP)- Belief that Northern Negroes are gaining a strong hold in the Den- ocratic party is expected to lead group of South Carolina Demo- crats to seek revision of current state party rule that binds pri- mary voters to support nominees of the party, both state and na- tional, in the general election.
 Party Rule 32," as it is known, might literally rock this Southern states Democratic populace as it is inserted in the May IS state convention.
 Opponents of the rule want it amended so as to pledge the voters to support county and state Dem- ocratic nominees, but allow them freedom of vote in the general election, especially national nomi- nees.
 The expressed fear of some ob- servers in this nearly 100 per cent Democratic state is that with in- creasing popularity of Northern Negroes to business life, there might be possibility of their pledg- ing support to Negro Democratic candidate for public office.
 BIease States Issue BIuntly
 And, as former Sen. Cole L. Blease, of Columbia, said at the recent county Democratic conven- tion, q don't know what will hap pen, but if 1t becomes necessary to vote for a Negro for congress or anywhere else Cole Blease on that day will remain at home"
 Blease, whose political career has been as colorful as the Amer ican flag, was author of the rule in the early sos at Newberry, where it was practiced for years before assuming status of an "unWritten law" until 1914, when the state Democratic party adopted it for mally.
 Blease said 1t has served wonderful purpose and has kept down what might have been a definite break in the party" but warned 8 "dark cloud now appears on the horizon"
 At county conventions May at least 10 counties favored the change, while others contended it should remain in practice, un- changed, allowing the voters to follow the Democrats through and through"
 Political "Circus" Attacked
 Aside from this issue, attention will be focused at the state con- vention on proposals to end South Carolina's unique system of candi- dates touring throughout the state following a fixed itinerary, speak ing from the same platform on the same day in rotation order.
 County conventions paid little or no attention to this feature, but groups from time to time in the past have expressed intention of attempting to eliminate this "po- litical circus"
 Submission of Endorsements" for governor, Congress, and state offices are likely to be heard by various county delegations.
 During their county conventions, several counties endorsed persons for office whom rumor has long held will be seeking election.
 Marlboro indorsed Neville Ben- nett, chairman of the house ways and means committee, for gover- nor; Chesterfield county indorsed L. Caston Wanamaker, their rep resentative to the legislature, and house leader of administration forces, for governor; and Charles tons group favored Mayor Burnet Maybank for gubernatorial candi- date.
 Donkey Mascot to Arrive
 BarnWells convention indorsed Lieut.. J. E. Harley for re- election.
 Feature of the state convention will be debut" of donkey Queenie, official national E-mocrat party mascot, which Harley won e an election bet last Presidential cleo tion from the lieutenant-goveknor of Mississippi.
 Queenie will arrive, bedecke0 in spring clothes. on south-bound train from Virginia farm where she boards with Smith w. Pur- dunn, assistant postmaster general.