Tabor City Tribune

Columbus County citizens will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 2, but in most cases it will simply be a matter of procedure since a victory in the Democratic Primary is tantamount to election in Columbus County.

There has been little discussion of politics in Columbus County since the heated Democratic Primary; however, in other parts of the State there is much interest in the general election.

Opposing W. Kerr Scott in his race for the United States Senate is Republican Paul C. West. No opposition was offered by the Republicans against Sam J. Ervin, Jr. who was recently appointed to the United States Senate.

Republican Buford T. Henderson will oppose M. V. Barnhill in the race for Chief Justice of Supreme Court.

A recent candidate for Congress from the seventh Congressional District is Republican J. O. West who will oppose F. Ertel Carlyle. Carlyle swept Columbus County in the Democratic Primary and defeated Seavy Carroll of Fayetteville.

On the county level there is opposition in the race for the state Senate representative from the 10th Senatorial District. H. T. Sellers is the Republican opponent to Ray H. Walton and Arthur W. Williamson. Williams E. Bailey is running against W. F. Floyd for the House of Representatives.

The only other opposition on the county level is in the county commissioners bracket - L. L Malpass opposes Charles R. Council for commissioner post from district one. A. D. Williamson opposes Lacy R. Thompson from District three. Hubert W. Price opposes L. Ward from district four, and J. C. Clifton opposes W. B. Bufkin from district five.

Probably one of the most important issues to be determined at the polls on November 2 will be that of the County Public Health Center. Voters will decide the fate of this project by either approving or voting against the issuance of bonds to provide the health center to be located near the town of Whiteville.

"Everyone is urged to mark their ballots on the special bond and tax election issue," said an election official.

Constitutional amendments are also on tap for the voters to decide upon. Five amendments will be offered to the public and their mark will decide the fate of each.

The amendments proposed include: vesting the General Assembly with authority to provide for the retirement of members of the Supreme Court and for the recall of such retired members to serve on said Court in lieu of any active member who for any cause is temporarily incapacitated, amendment authorizing the General Assembly to establish a Board of Paroles with complete authority to grant, revoke and terminate paroles: a constitutional amendment providing that where one county constitutes a senatorial district, such county shall be limited to one senator in the General Assembly of the State; and amendment reducing the length of residence for voting in a precinct from four months to 30 days preceding an election for short term offices occurring between the date of the General Election and the following January first.

Unopposed for office on the county level are Clerk of Court Lee J. Greer, Sheriff J. R. Pridgen, Solicitor of the 8th Judicial District John J. Burney, Jr., Coroner Dick Williamson, and County Commissioner Lucian P. Stephens.