Lexington dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1917-1919, August 06, 1919, Image 12
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As a candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Congress in the approaching primary
I take this means of submitting to the
consideration and judgment of the Demo
Icratic voters of Lexington uounty my position
on several of the mre important national
questions. On account of the fact
that there will be but one regular meeting
in Lexington Count}', at which the voters
mav have an opportunity to hear a discussion
of the views I hold with reference to
pending and proposed legislation, I adopt
this method of placing before the people of
this County the platform' upon which my
candidacy rests.
AMERICANISM.
In this day of America's widening influence
among the nations of the world, the
fundamental principle of individual freedom
and equality enunciated in our
American Constitution, and the principle of
- ? ? tt?V?-I/->Vi Anv notinn
iree government unuci wmui yui nunvn
has prospered, have grown into world
meaning and significance. The spirit and
genius of self-government, successfully
practiced by the American people, have
extended beyond American borders, and
its benign influence is today spreading
among progressive peoples everywhere.
HUB! Thus it is that the horizon of American
HHH I democratic government is breaking upon
foreign nations, and our added influence in
S world affairs gives a deeper meaning to the
B j| term "Americanism." Apparently, destiny
K |.i has decreed the mission to American dea
mocracy, not only to achieve the highest[SB.
I and best in government for our own peoI
pie; but. as well, to point the way toward
I an advanced civilization among the other
1 nations of the earth.
?. As a result, new questions of national
1 policy and international relationships con8
front the American legislator.' It is import|
ant, therefore, that our lately acquired high
I internationnal status be maintained; and
I the measure of our influence abroad will be
t v I determined, in large degree, by the profi|
ciency with which the American Congress
8a +V, n pinivo+iAnc r\-? +1*1 a AmoripflU
Jlil/Ci ?JL CUiC aouuaMVUO ui mv
people. In my opinion the people of the
Seventh Congressional District desire that
wherever the term ''Americanism" shall be
used, it shall stand for all that is honorable,
upright and worthy, and if I be chosen as
your representative in Congress, it shall be
my ambition and purpose to employ whatever
talent I possess to the maintenance at
home and abroad of these high ideals.
PEACE TREATY.
I Under the American Constitution the
power to ratify treaties is vested in the sen?
ate of the United States, but the wisdom of
an immediate ratification, in its entirety, of
the Peace Treaty appeals to every patriotic
American.
RECONSTRUCTION ERA.
1 Our returned veterans of the World War
me back to their home land with eng|
larged visions of world affairs. They have
? gathered ideas abroad which no doubt will
en Urge and strengthen their conception of
| th: duties and responsibilities of our social
^ 5?. i and economic life, and which can be adoptII
ed end woven into legislation for the eom11
me n good. On the other hand, Bolshevism,
IS? I ropm* ' ri.doas and "isms "
if { i abhorrent to tiic principles of free govh
en: menl. should be branded in the very beIgj
ginning as a pestilence and swept from our
B midst 1/ legislation so drastic as to render
S their further growth imposible.
MILITARY CODE.
Our military code, written by or adopted
I from the Prussian, in my opinion, is unfit in
fl many respects for the naval and military
B * forces of a free and democratic people. Al:
ferations should be effected which would
. obliterate the pomp and useless imaginary
distinction in social equality between ofE
fleers and enlisted men.
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WAR TIME LEGISLATION AND REFORM
OF FEDERAL COURT
_____ RULES.
In order that a return to pre-war or normal
status may be effected, 1 advocate the
immediate abolition of legislation passed
purely and simply as war measures. Under
the war legislation, the principle of
State's Rights has been invaded to such an
extent as to materially impair its significance.
In justice to the public the rules of the
Federal Courts should be modified and
amended so as to insure litigants and defendants
reasonable, inexpensive and fair
trials by providing for the trial of cases in
the community in which they arise. Further,
the rules should be so amended as to
safeguard any possible practice of autocracy
by presiding officials.
v
EDUCATION.
We are entering an era whose sweep of
purpose is carrying us to a grander and
higher national destiny. Progress is the
command of the age. Capable free government
is the highest product of emancipated
minds.
Figures recently compiled show that 44
out of every hundred American children do
not attend school. The recent draft Act
revealed a lack of educational preparedness
which is appalling. I am in favor bf a
better and higher system of educational advantages
for all classes. I believe with
Spencer, that "Education is the preparation
for complete living," and I stand for
that preparation which will insure to
everv individual the maximum attainment
of life, liberty and happiness.
, PRIMARY ELECTION SYSTEM.
The Democratic party of this State selects
its party nominees for the General
Election by what is known as the Primary
Election System. Laws and rules, governing
this primary system, have been so framed
as to safeguard the rule of the majority
expressed by ballot.
I believe in the rule of the majority and
sacredly pledge myself, as a white South
Carolina Democrat, to support the nominee
selected by a majority of the white Democratic
voters of this District for Congress.
TARIFF.
The return to power, of a Republican majority,
in both Houses of Congress, brings
the tariff as a vital issue to the front. The
Republican fight for high protection on
articles of consumntion bv the South, which
consequently lays a discriminating burden
of taxation upon the people of this section,
must be met.
I believe in the time-honored principle to
which the Democratic party has always adhered
of a tariff sufficient for revenue purposes
only, and a free list including the necessary
articles of general consumption. 1
shall vigorously oppose any form or system
of tariff duties laid solely for protective
purposes.
CAPIiTAL ANE LABOR.
Logically, labor ana capital are friends.
Lacn is a necessary companion oi. tne other.
Both are essential to development and
progress. Either without the other is helploss.
Unless capital is to enjoy a reasonable return
for its investment, it will not be attracted
to the development of industries,
and consequently, when withdrawn or
withheld from investment, labor will be reduced
and opportunities limited for employment
and development. Therefore, I
shall advocate legislation which will induce
capital unhesitatingly to seek to perform its
proper function in developing our present
industries, and to enter new fields of research
for the attainment of further industrial
progress. A A'
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Firmly. openly and unhesitatingly I stand
for organized labor, both as a iegal and
moral right. This is a day of specilization
and organization; and labor, in my opinion,
must of necessity keep pace with the
times. Labor organizations, based on uprightness
and honesty of purpose certainly
should be encouraged in every legitimate
end they seek and when so recognized they
are capable of producing the most satisfactory
results. Without the necessary protection
and influence which organization
gives, the laboring man is oft times harassed
in the assertion of his legal rights and is
frequently impeded in earning a competency.
Careful and sane legislation, looking
to the encouragement and protection of
organized labor, without undue discrimination
against the rights of the unorganized
working man, is an important public issue
which I shall meet squarely and act upon
in accordance with the views herein expressed.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
I believe in the development of our inland
water transportation facilities. In the
development of our navigable streams, I advocate
a comprehensive, yet definite and
conservative system of channel improvement.
I shall labor for the improvement of
the Congaree River system, which will result
in giving to Middle Carolina trade
c-ioap water transportation to deep sea
ports.
ROADS.
The coming of the automobile has made
our system of roads as. much interstate in
its character as railways now are; in fact,
more so, because good roads directly afreet
the happiness and welfare of more people
than do the railroads. I believe in Federal
aid to good roads, when that aid can be
utilized under local direction, and if elected
to Congress, will labor to get every dollar
I can for road purposes so long as no encumbrances
are attached, which will emovmftfifi
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the upbuilding and maintenance of our
highways. Motor transportation is today
rivalling the railroads as a common carrier
of freight and passengers, and it is sound
economy to build our roads as arteries of
transportation.
AGRICULTURE
i
Agriculture is the natural basis of our
prosperity; its furtherance and development
is of first importance. Every business
and profession is dependent upon our
farms and farming classes. The last twenty
years has marked a new era in agriculture
and agricultural conditions. The joint
results of work both of the National and
State Departments of Agriculture have justified
the increasing expenditures in behalf
of improved farm conditions and country
life. I stand for a continuance of that
policy which aids and encourages the business
of that class of people, our farmers,
who feed and clothe the world.
The successful closing of the recent war
means a reopening of world trade in cotton,
feedstuff's, and other agri a itaral products
under most favorable conditions to the
Southern farmer. This indlcaics a hitherto
en attained prosperity for the South. The
re-building of the ruined countries of Europe
creates a. reaciy inarxcf icr every
available surplus American a -nocultural
poduct. 1 nis new situation ('.email', is ' w
highest and best patriotic thought and
study of our Congress, end if i be permitted
a part in directing our National Legislation
along these lines, i pledge every energy
of mind, and body, in the interests of
the Agricultural classes of tins .Distrirct.
FERTILIZERS.
I shall oppose any protective tariff, lev
leci upon potasn, nitrate, and otner socallecl
commercial fertilizer ingredients.
Under such a tariff, the farmer who is the
ultimate consumer would have the burden
of the tax to bear, and I am opposed to any
tax which discriminates against one class in
favor of another.
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RURAL CREDITS.
L favor a broadening of the scope in our h
present rural credit Act, so as to extend its I;
benefits to needy but worthy farmers. I 5
conceive the greatest purpose of the system y
to be to furnish farmers and particularly P
those just beginning life, who are without" I
commercial credit, but who do possess in- f;
tegrity and ambition, an opportunity of be- ...
coming owners of their farms and homes. V I
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 'J
If elected, I shall work for Federal ap- i
propriations for all needed public build- \
ings in those cities of our district where y
conditions justify the expenditure.
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RE- ^
SOURCES.
I believe that the natural resources of ?
this nation belong to the people of this na- ?
tion. I am opposed to monopolistic owner- |
ship, or control which in effect constitutes |
a special or privileged ownership, of our ?
water powers, forests and other natural re- ?
sources. I am opposed to any policy which $
will further transfer right and title in our h
water powers to monopoly. y
In my opinion it behooves us as a nation |
to practice a more frugal use of our for- '
ests. From the practice of such an economy "
two benefits will result: First, we will save J
a waste in timber consumption, which un- x |
der our present system of cutting means at
no far distant period a depletion of our
lumber supply, and second, the high water
floods with their attendant damage to property
which results from the denudation of
forests at our river sources, will be de- |
creased. |
MERCHANT MARINE. |
I believe that the encouraging of inter? |
national commerce by a capable merchant ?
marine will serve to strengthen the bonds |
of commercial friendship with the other |
nations of the world, and afford our peo- |
pie an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of . j
international markets. Our trade, coastwise
and abroad, must not only be maintained,
but the advantages today confronting
American trade, seized and utilized.
The difficulties with regard to shipping
funilitipc pnrnnnfprprl in thp rpppnt war
furnish an indication as to our need for
bottoms adequate to transport American
goods on the high seas; and the efficiency ?
with which this government met and overcame
that urgent war need, furnishes us
with an inspiring example of what may be
done for our commerce abroad in times of
peace. I favor a merchant marine of adequate
tonnage to uphold and maintain, in- j
dependent of foreign owned bottoms, |
America's trade with ail nations. |
IMMIGRATION. I
The time has come to put into practice ^3
the slogan of "America for Americans." I
shall support any measure which looks to- |
into this country. I believe that America | ( J
preserved inviolate as the heritage of the j I
children of American oarer is. To be an 19
American citizen henceforth means "AilCONCLUSION.
1
The above announced policies represent f
briefly my position op the several questions *
considered: but, to lie truly representa- y
live of a people, one must maintain an open y
mind, and I shall always welcome sugges- z
tions on the positions announced, and on all 1 I
further questions and issues, which, from h
time to time, may arise. ^