Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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to um his land us collateral as easily and with as little expense aa he can use his personal property am ?void the expense for every ox?? ml na? tion of title, and this would reduce the cost of borrowing money. 1 am not blaming lawyers for charging their fees, hut I want another and a better system than wo have. 1 would favor a system of rural credit, which would furnish money at a low rats of Interest and for long time, so that more farmers could buy and own their own farm*, and by low rates of Interest and on long timo It would cost them less than the usual rent. If this system were adopted I* would help an energetic econo. mlcal farmer to own his land, to Im? prove Its production, Its Increase, his comforta for his wife and family, and make It more profitable and more comfortable, a more attractive piece to live, and we would help to stop the flow of people from country to town. Ho Intensely do I feel the necessity, not only for the Individual, but for the welfare of tho State,? the necessity of farmers on a small scale owning their own land, that 1 should, if It wero not unconstitu? tional, advocate freedom Crom taxa. extent of the homestead. $1,SM.00, provided the owner lived on his own farm In the country, or lived In bis own house in town, granting to the struggling farmers the same privi? lege now freely given to struggling manufacturers In cities. Since, how. ever, this cannot be I deem It Im. peratlve that we pay particular at. tentlon to the farmers by teaching agriculture In the county schools as well as by sending experts to the farmer to aid him by suggestions. We have a great agricultural college but the percentage of our boys who can ever get to Clemson Is pitifully ?mall, still Clemson in conjunction with the State and federal govern, ments can and will carry instruction In agriculture to the child? ren In the country I shall advocate this no that children can acq lire a knowledge of plant life, of soil bolldlng by winter cover ero:>s, deep plowing, rotation, diversification, animal husbandry, which will give the taste and love for It. and the farm will come to be a place of comfort and plenty, which will at. tract and hold our people. As a trustee of Clemson College, and as a member of Its fertiliser board. 1 (teefre to say that an earnest effort Is being made to give prote^t'on to the farmer, and also to the honest manufacturer in commercial fertilise, era. The legislature enacts '.he for. tlltser laws?the Fertiliser lizard at Clemson College sees to their execu? tion. We propose the redrafting of these commercial fertiliser laws to meet new conditions which have re? cently developed as well as to deal With old conditions. Thero Is a large Ions to the farmer through the use of worthless fillers In fertilizers. The use of these fillers Is not now against the law; the fault Is in our lan. The farmer and honest manuiacturer would be better protected by pre? venting the use of worthless fillers; It would mean a higher grade fertiliz? er, and a higher price yet It would sate paying freight and handling charge* on material that is absolutely worthies*. 1 favor also that the law he chang? ed to require a statement showing the source of ammonia (whether blood, fish scrap, cotton seed meal, or sulphate of ammonia, or any oth? er source.) Such changes In the law would be fair and Just to both farmer and .lonest tnanufactuier and aould protect both against imposition by dishonest manufacturers. 1 can? not too strongly urge upon farmers to follow Clemson's lead In striving to build up the soil otherwise t tan by commercial fertilisers. As It Is, It coats the farmer 1-3 to 1-2 of his crop to pay his fertiliser bill. Ho must build up the soil hut must do so at leas cost than that of commercial fer? tiliser. Railroads. It la easy and popular to attack the railroads. I have no pc< uniary interest In railroads. I believe that railroads should be Undor regula. tlon of the State, und he. required to give the public the best servhe con. slstent with conditions, hut I believe In fair treatment of railroads, as of unythlng <dsc. I believe that what all business Interests require Is u read? justment of rates In order that dis? crimination may he wiped out. Thill la no reason why Virginia should haw lower rates than South Carolina, nor why North Carolina should have low? er rates than South Carolina. I be llevH W/? can and will have a read? justment of rates based eg Charles? ton us our chief seaport. 1 favor pro? curing a workable mileage book sys? tem?commercial travelers and the public urr entitled to this mil' h. I had hoped that there would he '?thing In this campaign about the Sunr quostlnn. but as It has been >ed. I will merely soy that I local option Condition-, (tif >vJn different counties, and >yt Is necessar.N to make vs. We cannot torn tlon for a period of Liquor (Question. prohibition on a county that does not want It; nor can we force a dispensary on a county that docs not want that. As governor I shall see to it that such laws as are adopted by the different counties shall hr rixiilly enforced. Taxation. The inequality of assessments is no? torious?this trouble is Statewide. In my Judgment the primary cause of this Is lack, of accurate information as to values, our system Is wrong and de? void of opportunity for accurate knowledge. My plan to remedy this is to provide a system by which infor? mation can be secured, and with this information In hand 1 would offer a plan to equalise assessments?a plan to be submitted to the legislature for its determination and action. Roads. I stand for better roads; and when built these must bo maintained. Our great trouble now is that our road policy is not systematized, and a good road is frequently allowed to go to pieces. Our road methods must be improved. We need better roads to cheapen transportation of farm pro? ducts, to make easier, pleasanter and cheaper our moving about in tho country, to make schools and church? es more accessible, to enable our ru? ral population to have more social in? tercourse with each other and their neighbors and to bring about those social pleasures which remove the isolation of those living in the coun? try, and make life more pleasant and attractive. Drainage. (Drainage is one of the leading questions demanding our attention, both from a sanitary point of view and also to make productive thous? ands of acres which now in1 an un dralned state are of little value. The plans for this work, and offered by the federal government offer oppor? tunity heretofore denied us, and we must direct our thought and atten? tion to them to bring about that im. provement In health and productive, ness whlcn is within our grasp. While urging this work we must be careful to preserve our sacred State rights and guard against the danger of vesting too large and unlimited pow? ers in the fedoral government. * Confederate Veterans. I have always supported and vot? ed for appropriations for those grand obi men, our Confederate veterans. Their services to our State and to the South richly deserve this recognition and we of the younger generation who were toe young to take part in that war must see to it that these patriot* aro SOred for and that their latter days may bo made easy and without work. Militia. I believe in a strong, well main? tained, and well disciplined militia, for a powerful Influence is exerted on a certain class by the knowledge that these xeulous and efficient young men are in easy call. In my legisla? tive experience I supported liberal ap? propriations to support the militia. , Under existing conditions the need for an efficient militia cannot bo de? nied. I shall endeavor to urge in? creased efficiency and such support as will encourngo our active young men to enlist and to take a pride in tho organization. State Hospital for the Insane. I favor liberal support of the Hos? pital for the Insane, and most effi? cient management. Tubercular Hospital. I favor support of a well equipped and maintained hospital for tuber? cular patients. Enforcement of Law. 1 believe that the most fundamen. tal defect in our State government today is the non.enforeement of law. There should ho on tho part of all our right thinking Citizens the most nctlvo and aggressive co-operation in Impressing upon all of our people the highest respect for law and order, obedience to law because it is tho law. This respect for law will bo deter? mined largely by the attitude of the governor to the enforcement of laws. If elected governor I promise you that I shall not forget that I have sworn to uphold the constitution of South Carolina, and shall do everything In my power by precept and by example to promote the cause of civic right? eousness, and to Inculcate a lore for the law and respect for the majesty of the law. Factionalism. Several months ago I publicly de? clared that I should not, unless forced to OO so, recognize the ex? istence of two factions in this State; the people of South Carolina/ and the welfare of South Caroljpa arc greater than any man In thU State, bo he who he may. I hav ? many friends who voted for Mease, and many who voted for Jones. Neither Mease nor Jones is a randl late for the governorship. and trls fact should eliminate both of them from tho race. Since, however. ?s?mo of tho candidates have already inject? ed I'deaselsm as an Issue In this campaign I whIi to say n >w defi? nitely and unc<iulvocally that I have never been n follower or supporter of Oovcrnor Mease; that 1 have not upproved and do not now approve his course. Closing. Permit me to say a lew words of a personal nature. 1 served my county lour years in the house of representatives and eight years in the senate. 1 am now serving the people of the State as a lite trustee of Clem? son College. 1 have endeavored throughout my life to faithfully serve my county and State wherever op? portunity offered. I believe I am fa? miliar with the needs of the State and of her people, I have attended to my private affairs and have been blessed with reasonable success. I have the desire, ambition if you choose, to serve my State as its governor. If you entrust this charge to my hands I will promise to be the governor of all the people and endeavor to unite them in upbuilding the State, to do justly, to love mercy, and to main? tain and uphold the dignity and hon. or of South Carolina. Where Mr. Richards Stands. The Hon. J. G. Richards, of Liberty Hill, was reared on the farm, and has been a farmer all his life. For twelve years a member of the South Carolina legislature from Kershaw county. For six years floor leader of the house of representatives. For four years a member of the board of trustees of Clemson College. Has served four years as member of the South Carolina Railroad Commis? sion and is now chairman of that commission. His Platform. To the Democracy of South Carolina: It is impossible, of course, at this stage, to give my platform in its en? tirety, hut I desire to state in une? quivocal terms what my position is upon some of the more Important questions that are of vital interest to the people of the State. My position upon the educational question is known wherever I am known, and I shall continue to ad vocae equitable support for our higher educational institutions. Our public school system is the vitalizing force that supplies our col? leges and the main foundation of our republican institutions. I shall advo? cate the fullest and most unstinted support of our common school sys? tem, with particular attention to the development of our rural schools and education. We are now making great Improvements along educational lines, hut this question is of transcendant importance and demands our very best effort. I am in favor of enlarg? ing our free school system so that it will offer to every white child in South Carolina a good common school education. I am in favor of erecting conven? ient and comfortable school buildings and furnishing all necessary text boots free of cost. I am in favor of paying our teach? ers, both men and women, salaries commensurate with the dignity and importance of their positions. I have always opposed compulsory school attendance and shall continue to do so. We should provide evory necessary facility apd enlarge upon our Impelling system, rather than re. sort to compulsion. Such legislation Is fundamentally wrong; besides it is inexpedient and unnecessary and thereforo unwise. For Roads. The building of good and perma? nent highways will add more to the value of our State than any other public utility. The effect of good roads through? out the State would be felt in every wall: of life,' but such Improvements would be a special blessing and a great economy to those of our peo? ple who live In the country districts. I shall stand for the permanent improvement of our highways, such improvement being made under lo? cal self-government in the various courtles. Farming is the chief and greatest of all our industries; it is the bed? rock foundation of our economic life. I shall stand for legislative and ad? ministrativ o policy that will give vig? orous support to all agencies which make for the full development of our agricultural interest, and for a pol? icy that shall foster all other business interests, and shall tend to induce capital to come into the State for the purpose of developing to the fullest extent our splendid resources. In the campaign which ?I made for governor in 1910 I advocated Stute-widc prohibition. I am still a prohibitionist by practice and from principle, in my opening speech at Suimor, und In many places through? out our State while discussing the whiskey question and submitting my opin on as to its solution I used this language: "This question Is an Issuo before our people, their voices should be supron.i 'e of the people spoken upon g gl treach I cry u ? eprssniu tatlv*s ? as ex presto Tho na have cxprofi Hot box. sptlon I b- people. Their I Is su prerrt I not op and have declared for local county pose local option but will favor tho principle of allowing the various counties to determine this question as seems proper to them, with, of course, a strict observance of con? stitutional limitations. Opposed to Restrictions. 1 am in favor of honest elections and a strict enforcement of our laws against violators of the same, but I shall oppose any legislation either by the Democratic party or by the legislature that will deprive the humblest white Democrat of his right to vote. During the 12 years that I was a member of our legislature, I conten? ded and voted for biennial sessions. I held then and hold now that an? nual sessions are not only unneces? sary, but that they are a positive in? jury to the best interests of the State; therefore, I stand for biennial ses? sions of our legislature. I am in favor of a 2-cent flat rate for passenger travel over the three trunk lino railroads In this State and their branch lines, and a 2 1-2 cent rate for the independent short lines. I shall advocate, as I always have, liberal supi-ort of our ex-Confeder? ate soldiers. A well organized, well diciplined, State militic. is essential for the pro? tection of the State and the proper enforcement of her laws; therefore, I favor a suificlent appropriation by the State for tho proper mainten? ance of its citizen-soldiery. I think tie general principle of working the convicts upon the high? ways of the county in which they are convicted is a wise one and there? fore I favor it, but am unalterably opposed to working white and ne? gro convicts together or forcing terms of social equality in the camp or stockade. I shell stand for a strict enforce? ment of the law with fairness to all our people and without partiality to any. I believe, however, that jus? tice should be tempered with mercy. Economy One Plank. I shall stand for an economical administration of our State govern? ment, with, of course, a proper re? gard for the protection and develop? ment of the various interests of the State. 1 A reckless expenditure of the pub. lie funds is a crime, and I shall op? pose all extravagant appropriations for whatever purpose they may be made. The people of this State are too heavily burdened by taxation and it shall be my purpose not only to prevent an increase of that bur? den; but to reduce it I shall advocate a complete revis? ion and readjustment of the tax laws of tho State and the adoption of a system of assessment that i will make all property bear its honest and just proportion of tho burden of taxation. No system of taxation can be just that does not bear upon ?very class of property equitably. I believe in keeping separate the three coordinate branches of the government; they are Qod-ordained and constitution made and I shall so regard them. If I am elected governor of the State 1 shall endeavor with the abil? ity and strength at my command to keep in constant touch with the work? ing force of all our public institutions and branches of the government, and shall endeavor to so inform myself in regard to our public affairs as to in? telligently recommend to tho law making power of the State those things that the public weal and the I needs of the hour demand. In making the race for governor it is my purpose to make the Issues ' plain and to the point. I will go before the people upon a platform every lank of which shall stand for what I believe to be the people's good and for the development and up? building of our State in all her in? terests. I will go before them with the firm determination that if I am elected I will be tho governor of the whole people. Outline of J. T. Duncan's Speech. Citizens of Sumter County: Four years ago, two years ago, I came, and again today I come asking the voters of South Carolina to make mo governor. I might cover the field by saying I am a Democrat, thoroughly progres? sive, in favor of whatever is for the betterment of mankind and so thor? oughly do I sympathize with tho needs of the masses that I am willing to ex? periment largely In their behalf, and in withholding and withdrawing from' the privileged classes those special privileges that have robbed the mass? es to enrich the classes. Society today is largely in debt to the submerged strata and for the good of all, should aid in its better? ment. There Is much time wasted In deal? ing with particulars when tho trou? ble Hes higher up. Let one but point at the System, and at once the System's agents di? vert tho attention of all by raising an Issue. Last campaign saw the System working both ends of the line with Jonss to fool the Christians and Blsass to catch the ?Innars, and the! newspapers feature the dog light be Iwesn the two and thus taught you! voters going and coming. The papers shaped the public choice before the speakers reached them and on every side Duncan was told that he was the man who should1 be elected but seeing no chance to elect him he had to vote for one to beat the other of the two men back? ed by the System. The .people were divided, but the System was winner in any event. If unable to pick them out, just watch the dailies on tomorrow. Their reporters doubtless are already in? structed which two to play up. While the System has the list crowded, yet it will soon be evident which are dropped as squeezed lem? ons, and which two are to work the ends of the line. As long as our prejudices blind us, just so long will the System prevail, but a clear understanding will enable the voters to smash the system. Send free men to your legislature. Select judges and solicitors who are honest and independent, and select as governor Duncan, who the System fears above all men and "let the peo? ple rule." Shall we again see the System de? feat the will of the voters? (Other parts of Mr. Duncan's plat? form are an attack on W. A. Clark and the System, of which Mr. Dun? can says Mr. Clark is the head.) Ctiarlcs A. Smith. Charles A. Smith, Lieutenant Gov? ernor of South Carolina, in brief stands for economy in government. No extravagance. No waste of the people's money. No appropriations beyond the State's income. No in? creased taxation, except as towns, townships or counties vote special levies for schools or local necessities. A business system that will insure economical expenditure of appropria. tions. Favors a fiat two-cent passenger fare on our railroad systems and no freight discrimination against South Carolina points as compared with ad? joining States. The railroads have had a large share in the prosperity that has come to the State, and do not, as public service corporations, show proper appreciation of obliga? tion to the source of their income. Favors the submission by the leg? islature to the voters of the State of the question of outlawing the sale of Intoxicants within its borders; a meas. uro which would insure the benefits of the Webb law, uplift public mor? als, and promote temporal prosper? ity. Favors legislation that there may he no discrimination against the poor man for violation of the criminal law. For the same offense one man pays a fine within his means and goeg free; another because of inabil? ity to pay goes to the chain gang or penitentiary. Favors proper legisaltion to secr.re honesty and freedom in elections; but is opposed to any qualification that will deprive an honest white citi? zen of the right of ballot. Believes implicitly in an educated citizenship and in placing adequate facilities within the reach of a rising generation; believes that the compul? sion of love and pride and public opinion will as readily banish illiter? acy as mandatory legislation, and is for compulsory education only should the people so declare after the sub. mission of the question to their suf? frage. Believes as a matter of economy and public interest in a restriction of local and special legislation by the general assembly, that more time may be devoted to matters of State-wide importance. Believes earnest consideration should be given the demands of the farmers of the State for rural credits, and for agricultural and industrial education in our public schools. Stands loyal to democracy, which means government by all the people, for the best interests of all the people, and not government of the many by a preferred class. John G. Clinkscales. The platform of John G. Clink, scales, candidate for governor, fol. lows: He stands for peace and harmony; for the common good and welfare of all Carolinians; for a faithful enforce? ment of laws; and for universal edu? cation. He stands for less criticism, more charity, a get-together spirit, and a pull altogether for those things that l make for material, intellectual, and moral prosperity. He advocates a radical change of our whole tax system, and to that end believes that a commission com? posed of intelligent, patriotic citizens should bo apopintcd, whose business shall be to study thoroughly tlu whole subject of taxation, and for? mulate a plan that shall more events and equitably distribute the burden. He knows that a lawless people can never become a great people. He be. Hoves that much of the lawlessness with which Carolinians are Charge?! s due to the delay and miscarries1 ?f Justice in our courts und to the la administration of the laws. He stands, therefore, for a rigid, prompt, fearless enforcement of all laws on the statute books?good, bad, and indifferent. He believes that the vote power and the pardoning power should be very cautiously, but conscientiously, used, and that eve?*y case should stand on Its own met its. He believe* that the governor of a commonwealth should be the gover? nor of all the people, without regard to class, ereCd, or condition. He believes in a persistent, unre? mitting effort to develop with the least cost to our citizens the thousands of acres of swung lands in our State; and would foster any enterprise that makes for the development of his na? tive State along any line. More than all else, he would work for the 'development of our noblest possession and the State's greatest as? set?the boys and girls around our hearthstones. The vast majority of our children can never go to college. They finish their education in the common school. He believes t at for this reason the eommcn, cou' try school, should be made the bes educational institution in the land; :<nd that the indifferent parent should be required to send his child to school. His slogan is: Every child a chance. Ii. J. Browning Presents Views. In response to your invitation of some days a.yo, I herewith present my views as to the most important issues that now demand solution by our people. These issues are new; our State has stood still along many lines, while other States have made great progress, and are reaping won? derful benefits therefrom. I would put South Caolina in step with these enlightened ideas along some legists, tive lines. Her past history shows that she was a leader on the road of progress and honor; the same blood is here today, and she can again oc. cupy her old y sltion if she will. The more ? lportant principles I shall advocate* re as follows: First: I relieve in honest elec. tions in which every white Democrat may vote one lme at each election and no more. What we must do is to preserve th'i high character of our citizenship. A foundation polluted at its head, is corrupt throughout. Tho foundations of our government are laid in the honesty, patriotism and high character of our people; allow these to be destroyed and our government inevitably becomes cor? rupt. Second: .he gross irregularities in the funds available for the educa? tion of our children, should be reme? died. This can be partially accom? plished by making the three.mill tax a State, anel not a county tax. All our children ere the children of the State, and not of one particular county; therefore it is the duty of the State to give all the opportunity of obtaining at least a common school educat'od. A far beter plan, however, would be to abolish the three.mill tax and let the constitu? tion declare that the general assem? bly shall annually provide sufficient funds to run SOOtl school a specific number of days. This would not in any way affect the poll or the dog tax, or any special levies made by individual school districts. To show some of these irregularities, a negro child in one county receives more for its education than a white child re? ceives in eight of the other counties of the State and practicallly as much as tho white children of tive other counties receive. Of course this would not entirely equalize all school terms but either of these plans would forever do away with the 60, 80 and 100 day schools. The latter plan wovld be greatly superior to the first, but even the first would bo a great improvement on the pres. ent arrangement. Third: Our system is 50 years behind the times, and to meet the demands of modern thought and an enlightened civi'ization will have to be made over almost entirely. We will havo to repeal that provision of our consttution which declares that all property shall be taxed in propor? tion to its value. The personal property tax is the most unjust and the hardest to col? lect of all taxe?. No state should tax a citizen's household and kitchen furniture, a mechanic's tools or a farmer's implements of agriculture. In fact, I take the position that this personal property tax should be done away with for State purposes. In Its stead let us substitute a grad? uate.! income tax, somewhat as fol? lows: Allow each individual so much for his own support, so much for his wife, and so much for each dependent child. All income over this exemption, sp to $1.000, to pay a very modern! tax of 1 >er cent., the next U2.500 to pay 1 1-2 per cent., the next $t?,f>00 to pay :i per cent, all above $10,000 to pay 6 per cent; tho greatei the income, tho higher the rate. 1 shall advocate an inheritance tax along the same lines. f These are both just taxes: the rreater the income, the greater the need of good government and the Tenter protection does than man re i