Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C„ October 31, 1968—9 Senatorial Candidates Answer League Questions Answers to questions concern ing issues of interest to voters in Laurens County have been se cured by the League of Women Voters from four of the men who seek seats in the South Caro lina legislature in the upcoming election on November 5. All can didates whose names appeared on the ballot in the June Democra tic Primary were polled at that time as to their stands on county government, reassessment of real property, and constitutional revision. The Voters Service Committee of the Laurens County League of Women Voters, Mrs. L. H. Savel- koul, chairman, has issued to the Republican candidates opposing the winners in the Democratic Primary those same questions and an additional one concern ing gun legislation. Replying to these questionnaires were Senate aspirants JohnD. Long III, Demo crat, and Marshall Abercrombie, Republican, for Seat #1 and Ro bert C. Lake, Jr., Democrat, and Eugene C. Griffith, Republican, for Seat #2. The questions and their answers appear below. Question 1. Do you favor the es tablishment of a system (or sys tems) of county government for South Carolina counties? If so, what type, or types? ABERCROMBIE: “Yes, and very much like the Commis sioners and Supervisor in Lau rens County, with the possibi lity of adding three (3) new Com missioners. This State-wide bill should have been a companion bill or passed simultaneously with the reapportionment act in 1968, and I believe it was gross neglect not to do so for some Counties in the State will be without a sen ator. I believe the Commis sioners should have full authority to levy taxes and operate the County.’ LONG: “I think each County should determine which type of county government is needed. A particular system in one county that is practical might not be good in another, and I am of the opinion that it would be a mis take to try to haveHbe identi cal system in each county. What you would gain in uniformity would probably be lost in effect iveness.’ GRIFFITH: “Yes. Set up one for Abercrombie Griffith Saluda County while represent ing that county in Senate.’ LAKE: “I favor the establish ment of a system of county gov ernment for each county in South Carolina. I think the systems of county government should be as uniform as possible throughout the state but certain options should be left at the discretion of the individual counties. This being done in order that adjust ments might be made for the population and the geographic area of the particular county. It would be impossible to attempt to spell out a county government plan in 100 words but I will say that county government should be kept close to the wishes and the best interest of the people. It is my belief that a board or commission elected by the peo ple should elect a capable, know ledgeable executive and adminis trative officer to manage the af fairs of the county.’ Question 2. Would you support legislation to provide a state wide reassessment of all real property in South Carolina not reassessed in the past five years? ABERCROMBIE: “I believe I don’t really understand this ques tion, however, I do believe a re assessment program can best be carried out on a local level and we recently have had some legis lation to start a reassessment program in Laurens County which is patterned after the Greenwood County equalization or re-eval uation program.* LONG: “No.’ GRIFFITH: ‘Yes, to provide more equitable system of taxa tion.” Lake I»ng assessment of all real property in South Carolina not reassessed in the past five years. I would, however, stipulate that the same be done with local representa tion, with the advice and consent of local county elected officials and that the sole purpose of such reassessment be for equalization and not for the purpose of rais ing additional revenue.” Question 3. By what method should revision of the S. C. constitution be accomplished? State reasons. ABERCROMBIE: “I feel that the South Carolina Constitution should be revised and this could best be done by a Constitutional Convention." LONG: “I have no preferred method just so long as revision is accomplished.’ GRIFFITH: No answer. LAKE: “Our constitution has been amended to the extent that it is ridiculous to argue that re vision is not in order. My first choice would be for a consti tutional convention to re-wrlte the entire constitution, with ap propriate ground work, repre sentation from all counties of the State of South Carolina, from all professions and types of jobs and from people within all walks of life. This re-writing would be done by scholars and statesmen throughout our entire state and would give vent to the use of some of our fine minds, who otherwise have no interest in offering for public office." LAKE: “I would support a pro perly drafted statewide re- My second choice would be for constitutional revision by A- mendment. This second method is much less desirable because in this type of action, we would be relying solely upon the members of the legislative delegations to write the revisions.’ Question 4. Which of the fol lowing most nearly reflects your opinion of gun control legislation and why? a. State or federal registration of all guns. b. State or federal registration of all hand-held guns. c. State or federal registra tion of all firearms. d. Complete freedom of all people to buy firearms and ammunition without restriction. e. No purchase of ammunition without certificate of registra tion for that specific firearm. ABERCROMBIE: “Let me state clearly that, in my opinion, the present South Carolina law per taining to guns is adequate and no further legislation is needed on a State or Federal level, since recently the United State Congress passed legislation bar ring the sale of firearms through the mail, and I think we need no other controls on guns and/or firearms. Therefore, Icouldbest say that neither a,b,c,d, nor e would reflect my opinion on gun control.* LONG: “Statement b. These weapons, pistols primarily, are the most used in crime because they are small and can be easily concealed. These weapons should be controlled. I see no need to control shotguns, etc., and other weapons which are hard to con ceal and are used for hunting game because such weapons are seldom used for criminal pur poses.’ GRIFFITH: “Believe that le gislation relating to guns should be left to the individual states.’ LAKE: “I am not in favor of compulsory gun registration, on a State or Federal level. It has been my experience, in 19 years of law practice in the criminal courts of South Carolina, that the sale of guns has little effect on crime. The criminal who uses a gun, would not register his wea pon and most probably would steal the gun that he uses. I feel that registration would amount to only an additional burden upon the hunters and the gun collectors. It is my feeling that some state laws could be pssed which would restrict the sale of guns and ammunition to persons who have been convicted of certain crimes.” Candidates For U. S. Senate 1968 DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN Ernest F. Hollings Age 46, Charleston U. S. Senator Marshall J. Parker Age 46, Seneca Businessman Education, Occupation, Training, Experience Public schools. Charleston, Citadel, 1942, B A Graduate. I Di versity of S. C. Law School, 1947, Honorary 1.1, 1) . Citadc I 1959. 33 months U. S. Arms, World War 11 Lawyer hv piofcssion. Member Charleston Co S. C . American Bar Assck iations Ad mitted to practice before the S. C. Supreme Court, l S Supreme Court. Former Pres, and Board Chm.. S (' Insurance Co. Twenty years of public service. State Legislator Lieutenant Gov ernor, Governor, United States Senator. Appointed b> Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy to the Intergovernmental Belatimis Com mittee. Served on Hoover Commission, Member L\ecutivr Coun cil, Lutheran Church of America Initiated Technical liamine: Program Educational Television Program. Achieved full season untied tobacco sales. Passed textile Quota Bill throuuli Senate. Graduate, Univ. of N. C., B.S. decree, U S Marine Corp in the Pacific, WAV. II; Owner and operator Oconee Dairies, President Duncan Motor Lines. Lay offices at local, state, juriscljptional le vels of Methodist Church. Trustee of Columbia Colleue. Beuan public service as a city councilman, local school trustee. COP nominee for U. S. Senate, 19f>fi. Prior to this race previous 1 IIV/IIIIIIV.V 1V/| V X.J . ‘/V lllilv , l ■ . 1 vx/ V • political activity as a Democrat. Served from 1956-1966 in the S C. State Senate as Senator from Oconee County, regular com mittee assignments: Finance, Agriculture, Banking, and Insurance, Education, Bnral Electrification. Aviation, Atomic and Nuclear l.ncrgy, Commerce and Manufacturing. Veterans Affairs, Special Committees: Chaired S. C. Tax Studv Commission seven years; Member Comm, to study Techinical F.duc. Comm to study junior College Systems, S. C. Comm on Schools (Gfessette Comm.). What changes, if any, would you advocate in federal policies to solve the problems of the cities? I would place primary emphasis on securing the participation if private enterprise in solving the problems of the cities The first bill I introduced in the United States Senate was a tax sharing plan to share Feder.il tax revenues with the states. Under this system a certain percentage of general tax revenues would be returned to the states to use as they see fit m solving the problems of the state and local subdivisions i.e . counties, cities, etc. I believe that a plan of this sort would provide' the necessary funds for local governments to tailor programs to local needs and would provide not only more effective programs but produce a savings to the tax payer. and provide tax incentives to insure participation. 2 For the interim period provide blexi: grants to state and municipalities. 3. Work toward program of ceding tax sources back to states and municipalities to provide revenue sources to make it possible for local authorities to deal with the diverse prob- ems at the lowest level of government. 2. What changes, if any, would you advocate in U. S. policy toward Southeast Asia? End policy of gradualism. I would make fuller use of air and sea power. Develop the capability of the South Vietnamese more fully. Generally, I have supported the lb S. policy towards South east Asia. 1 have had some reservations about the programs, par ticularly with regard to Vietnam. The nrincipal thing that we can do at tnis time to advance our policy there is to bring the war in Vietnam to a successful conclusion. We must demonstrate to all the nations of Southeast Asia that the United States shall honor SEATO and other common defense pacts and that we shall not allow the countries of Southeast Asia to fall to Communist ag gression. Two members of that community — Nationalist China and South Korea — are both well on the way to economic sta bility and self-government because of the aid extended to them by this country. We must remove the threat of Communist ag gression in Southeast Asia so that the other memlxrs of that community can themselves develop along these lines of peace 3. How do you propose to meet the demands of the federal budget? The Federal budget is, in my opinion, too large at the 1. present time. It contains many items vvhich, while desirable, are not essential in time of war. Our principal problem is to dis tinguish between the desirable and the necessary and make the - cuts, even though painful where cuts can lx- made. If this policy had been adopted in 1965, the tax increase would be unnecessary today and the American tax payer would not be faced with the prospect of a lighter pay check and nearly prohibitive interest rates. By establishing priorities imder which local priority programs could be curtailed and expenditures reduced. 2. There is a need for an overall trimming of the Federal budget in all departments in order to eliminate waste and thus balance the budget 3. Elimination of duplicating programs. Which federal programs would you support to help solve South Carolina’s problems in education and employment? I think the best Federal programs to help solve South Caro lina’s problems in education and employment, is a tax sharing program such as I have proposed. Tnis would allow South Carolina to develop South Carolina programs and solve South Carolina problems. However, in the absence of this, there are good programs currently operated by the Federal government. Head Start is one of these. Others are vocational training pro grams which provide funds for technical education similar to that provided in South Carolina TEC centers which are without question the finest in the nation. 1. 2. For the interim period provide block grants to state and municipalities. To take away the powers from HEW and return local con- »y trol to the school districts of the state. COMPIliD IT THf LEAGUE OP WOMEN VOTERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA — A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION ENDORSING NO CANDIDATE OR COMP I* 0 pomtjiCAL PARTY. MEMRSRSHIP IN THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IS OPEN TO ANY WOMAN CITIZEN OP VOTING AGE. We Don't Care How Just Vote! You Vote— ■ Noy. 5 Polls Open 8 cujl; Close 7 p.m. To assist you in understanding the ballots before you go to the polls, we present these sample ballots for your study and consideration. Study the ballots below and read the instructions carefully. It may save your vote. In addition to the ballots shown below, you also wiM receive a ballot on local constitutional amendments which imist be voted on statewide. These affect Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Spartanburg and York coun ties. You will also receive a ballot on statewide constitutional amend- meats which arc explained in the election notice on page 12 in today’s (’fiirobicle. .> Offccfgl Ballot General Election LAURENS COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 5, 1968 INSTRUCTIONS—To volt o straight party ticket, make a era** (X) in the circle (0) under the name of sfcauM be done. To vote a mixed ticket, or in other wordi for candidates of different partie*, omit mok circle et the top and make a cross (X) mark in the rating square □ opposite the name of tacti candidal rote. If you wnh to rote for o candidate not on any ticket, write or pi act the name 06 such candidate office. Before leering the booth, fold Hie ballot so that the initioly/vf the nanagef/mpy pe seen /n the ou' . Irfy. NothUg farther need or e cross (X) neerk in the perty the ballot for vbem yon wish to ticket opposite the nemo of the OFFICE DEMOCRAT o EMT? r REPUBLIC kN H«b«rt H. Hi PRESIDENT id S. Mu*it CE-PIESIDENT N ion Presidential and Vice-Presidential Electors Andorsop s M. Gibson H. W. Hoofor Wsttor Jtonicko Wtttor Montfonory L LoRoy Nottios Benjamin F. Piyton □ Robert M. Vanco i. PRESIDENT • f Spiro T. Afnow VICE PRESIDENT George C. Wallace PRESIDENT Marvin Griffin VICE-PRESIDENT □ Mart W. Clark □ Mrs. Francis Dougherty □ James B. Edwards □ W. W. Wannamaker, Jr. □ John D. Attaway, Jr. □ Archie R. Stubbs □ Roy R. Turner □ Frank R. Ellerbe, Jr. □ Thomas P. Stoney □ James H. Hammond □ HughAgnew □ William Lowndes □ Thomas Miller □ Ernest Certer □ Frank Best. □ Juette Wright General Election, Ballot LAURENS COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 5, 1968 INSTIUCTIONS—To xote a itroigkt party ticket, moke a crou (X) in the cm or iWould bn done. To vote a mixed ticket, or in otter words tor candidates ot di< at the top and moke o cross (X) mark in the voting square □ opposite you wish to vote tor a candidate not on ^njL_tjcket/%itn or^ptfV th* office Before leaving the booth, foW the ballot tk^Pna infoadk « mono< -tie (0) under the name of year party. Nothing further need ferenf Derives, omit making n cross IX) mark in the porty circle >f eedpeondidate on the ballot for wheni yon wish to vote. If of sukh-ciU'didote on your ticket opposite the name of the or nray be seen on the outside. OFFICE DEMOCRAT REPlfBUCAN 0 I o CONGRESSIONAL Senator □ Ernest F. Hollings □ Marshall J. Porker REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS District #4 □ James R Mann □ Charies Bradshaw GENERAL ELECTION OFFICIAL BALLOT LAURENS COUNTY. SOUTH CAROLINA NOVEMBER 5. 19C8 Precinct _ l P«rtT u <Ol andcr the luunc of joor parly. Notlunf farther areS ar rote a mixtS ticket, ar la other wore* for roaeMolao of rnakiar a rraoi (XI mark la the party circle at the top mark la the rotiae oqaare Q opparitr the aame of oock for whom too wtik to Tote If yoa wteh to roto for a et, writ# or piare the aame of oarh c—AMaSp aa year tick the office Before leorta« the booth. Mi the baRot se maaacer may be orra aa the oaMAe. (X) la the deck ' he Aaae. To parttaa, omit (X) Republican OFFICE STATE SENATE DISTRICT NO. 5 SEAT NO. 1 SEAT NO 2 REPRESENTATIVE STATE LEGISLATURE SHERIFF CORONER CLERK OF COURT DEMOCRA' \f \ U- v □ John D Long. Ill □ Robert C Lake, Jr. - — - □ W Paul Culbertson Q David S. Taylor □RE Johnson □ M. W Preaalety - | O W. E Dunlap C Marshall W Abercrombie □ Lai gene C. Griffith COUNTY COMMISSIONERS □ Paul S. O’Dell □ George M Pen land SOLICITOR □ W. T. J Laurens County Courthouse Referendum Ballot WRITE-IN I favor: (Check one box only) (1) The construction of a formerly used, by i.the on property Elementary million eight general obliga- Issued for the ( ) (2) The renovation of the present courthouse and the construction of a new county administration office building not to exceed two million dollars for which general obligation bonds of the county in the sum * * * led 1 of two million dollars would be issu ment thereof. (3) Neither (1) nor (2). for the pay ( ) ( ) Sponsored as a public service by Clinton Jaycees