Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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to um his la hi I us collateral M ?anlly and with as little rxi" use an he can use his personal property, ami avoid the expense for every exatnina. tlon or title, and this would reduce the cost of borrowing money. I am not Man Ing lawyers for charging their fee*, hut I wunt another and a better system than wo have. 1 would favor a system of rural credit, which would furnish money at a low rate of Inter st and for long time, so that more formers could buy and own their own farms, ana hy low rates of Interest and on long time 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. psove Its production. its Increase, his comforts for his wife and family, and make it more profitable and more comfortable, a more attractive place to live, and we would help to stop the flow of people from country to town. So Intensely do I feel the necessity, not only for tho 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 were not unconstitu? tional, advocate freedom from taxa? tion for a period of 6 /eers to the extent of the homestead. $1,900.00, provided the owner 'lived on his own farm In the country, or lived In his own house in town, granting to the struggling farmers tho samo privi? lege now freely given to struggling manufacturers in cities. Since, how. ever, this cannot be I deem it Im? perative that we pay particular at. ttntlon to the farmers hy 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 bw' the percentage of our boys who can ever get to Clemson is pitifully small, 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 so that children c\n acquire a knowledge of plant life, of soil building by winter cover crops, 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 hoard. 1 ?tealre to say that an earnest effort t? being made to sue protection to the farmer, and also to tb? honest manufacturer In commercial fertiliz? er*. The legislature enacts the for. turner laws?the Fertiliser Hoard at Clemson College sees to their execu? tion. We propose the redrafting of these commercial fertilizer laws to meet new conditions which have re? cently developed as well aa to deal with old conditions. There Is a large loos to the farmer through the use of worthless filler* In fertilizer!*. The use of these fillers Is not now against the law; the fault Is In our law. The farmer and honest manufacturer would be better protected by pre? venting the use of worthless fillers: It would mean a higher grade fertiliz? er, and a higher prlco yet It would ?are paying freight and handling charges on material that is absolutely worthless. 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 honest manufacturer and would protect both against Imposition by dishonest manufacturers. 1 can? not too strongly urge upon farmers to tallow Clemson's lead In striving to build up the soil otherwise than by commercial fertilisers. As It Is, It costs the farmer 1-3 to 1-2 of his crop to pay his fertiliser bill. He must b\ ??d up the sell hut must do so at lens cost than that of commercial fer? tiliser. Railroads. it la easy and popular to alloc': the railroad4. I have no pecuniary interest In railroads. I believe that railroads should bo under rcguia. tlon of the State, und he required to give the public the best service con. slBtent with conditions, but I believe In fair treatrnont of railroads, ns of anything else. I believe that what all business Interests rrqulro Is a read? justment of rates In order that dis? crimination may be wiped out. There la no reason why Virginia should have lower rates than South Carolina, nor why North Carolina should have low? er 'Km South Carolina. I be? lieve ?ae can and will have a read? justment of rules based on Charles? ton aa our chief seaport. I favor pro? curing a workable mlb:?io bo.a; s\s tem? -commercial travelers and the public ur?? entitled to this much. Liquor (Question. I had hoped that there Would be nothing In this campaign about I he liquor quostlon. but as It has been Injected. I will merely say that I stand for local option. Conditions dif? fer greatly In different counties, and i public sentiment Is necessary to m ike kuny law affective. We cannot force prohibition on a county that docs not want it; nor can we force a dispensary on a county that Joch not want that. An governor I shall aee to it that such law? as uro adopted by tho different counties shall be rigidly enforced. Taxation. The inequality of assessments is no? torious?this trouble is Statewide. In my Judgment the primary cause of this in 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 I would offer a plan to equalize assessments?a plan to be submitted to the legislature for its determination and action. Roads. I stand for better roads; and when built theso 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 ..otter roads to cheapen transportation of farm pro? ducts, to make easier, pleasanter and c heaper our moving about in tho country, to make senools 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 b**lng about those social pleasures which remove the isolation of those 'iving in the coun? try, and make lifo more pleasant and attractive. m * Drainage. Drainare la 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 tho 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 which is within our grasp. While urging this work wo must hi careful to preserve our sacred State rights and guard against the danger of vesting too large and unlimited pow? ers in the federal gov\ ument. i ? Confederate Veterans. I have always supported and vot? ed for appropriations for those grand old men, our Confederate veterans. Their services to our State and to the South richly deserve this recognition and wo of the younger generation who were tod young to <ake part in that war must sec to it that these patriot* nro cared 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 zealous and efficient young mon arc 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 encourage 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 Imw. I believe that the most fundamen. tal defect in our State government today is tho non.enforcement of law. There should bo on tho part of all our right thinking citizens the most activo 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 f have sworn to uphold tho 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 love for the law and respect for the majesty of tho law. Factionalism. Several months ago I publicly de? clared that I should not, unless forced to do so, recognize the ex? istence of two factions in this State; the people of South Carolina* and the welfare of South Carolin are greater than any man In this State, be he who he may. 1 have many friends who voted for lilcaso, and many who voted for Jones. Neither Mease nor Jones is a candidate for the governorship, and this fact should eliminate both of them froip tho race. Since, however, some of the candidates have already Inject? ed I'deaselsm as an issue In this campaign. I wsh to say now defi? nitely and unequivocally that I hove never been a follower or supporter of Covcrnor Messet] that 1 have not approved and do not now approve i hl? course. Closing. Permit me to nay a few words of a personal nature. I served my County tour years in the house of representatives and eight years in the senate. 1 am now serving the people ol' the State as a life trustee of Clont? sen 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 | w. th reasonable success. I have the desire, ambition If you choose, to servo 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 Stet?, to do Justly, to love mercy, anj to main ta n and uphold the dignity and hon.J 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, but 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 luostion is known wherever 1 am known, and I shall continue to ad votae eeiuitahlc support for our higher euucational institutions. Oui 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 iupport 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, but this question is of transcendant J Importance and demands our very bes: 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 rind furnishing all necessary text books 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 every necessary facility and enlarge upon our Impelling system, rather than re lort to compulsion. Such legislation Is fundamentally wrong; besides it is Inexpedient and unnecessary and therefore unwise. For Roads. The building of good and pcrma. 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 walk of life* but such Improvements would be a special blessing and a grei-t 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 counties. Firming Is the chief and greatest of rdl our Industries; it is the bed? rock foundation of our economic life. I shall stand for legislative and ad? ministrative 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 madsl for governor in 1910 I advocated State-wide prohibition. I am still a' prohibitionist by practice and from principle. In my opening speech ut Sunder, and In many places through? out our State while discussing the whiskey question and submitting my opinion as to its solution I used this lunguagc: "This question Is an issuo before our people, their voices should be supren l 'o of the people ad spoken upon l treach? ery m i 'prescn tatlves as cx prosse i. Tho na have expres Hot box, option Ib., people. Their i1 ss 1 Is su? preme* not op ami have declared for local county pose local option but will favor the 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 f.?t 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 support of our ex.Confoder ate soldiers. A well organized, well diciplined, State militia is essential for the pro? tection of the State and the proper enforcement of her laws; therefore, I favor a sufficient appropriation by the State for the proper mainten? ance of its citizen-soldiery. I think ihe general principle of working tho convicts upon the high? ways of tho 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 shall 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. A reckless cxponditurc of the pub. lie funds is a crime, and I shall op? pose all extravagant Appropriations for whatever purpose thoy 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 the State and tho adoption of a system of assessment that % 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 every class of property equitably. I believe in keeping separate thc 11 "*e 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 powei of the State those things that the public weal and the needs of the hour demand. In making tho 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 foi what I believe to bo 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 llrm determination that if I am elected I will be tho governor of the wholo 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 me 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 ?o thor. otighly do I sympathize with tho needs of tho masses that I am willing to ex? periment largely in their behalf, and in withholding and withdrawing from1 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 the trou? ble lies 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 enmpnign saw the System working both ends of the line with Jonss to fool the Christians ami Hlease to catch the sinners, and the! newspapers feature the dog light be-j tween the two and thus taught you voters going and coming. The papers shaped the public j choice before the speakers reached them and on every side Duncan was told that he was the man who should be elected but seeing no chance to elect him he had to vote for one to beat the other of tho 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 crn Bays Mr. Clark is the head.) Charles 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.ccnt 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? ure 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 goes free; another because of inabil? ity to pay goes to the chain gang or penitentiary. Favors proper legisaltion to secure honesty and freedom in elections; but is opposed to any qualification that will deprive an honest white clti. zen of the right of ballot. I 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 0? Clinkscalcs. 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 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 tin whole subject of taxation, and for. mulate a plan that shall more evenl) and equitably distribute the burden. He knows that a lawless people can never become a great people. He be. Hoves that much of the lawlessnest with which Carolinians are charged a due to tho delay and mlscarrlag? ?f justice in our courts and to the la administration of the laws. He stands, therefore, for * rigid, prompt, fearless enforcement of all laws on the statute hooks?good, hud, and indifferent. He believe* that the vote power and the pardoning power should be very cautiously, but conscientiously, used, and that every ease should stand on its own merits. He believes that the governor of a commonwealth should be the gover? nor of all the people, without regard to class, creed, or condition. He believes la a persistent, unre. mitting effort to develop with the least cost to our citizens the thousands of acres of swamp lands in our State; and would fosier any enterprise that makes for the development of his na. tive State alor.^ any line. More than all else, he would work for the 'development of our noblest possession and th 5 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 that for this reason the common, country school, should be made the best educational institution in the land; and that the indifferent parent should be required to send his child to school. His slogan ir: Every child a chance. I?. J. Browning Presents Views. In response to your invitation of some days ago, 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 Caoj na in step with these enlightened ideas along some leg isla, tlvo lines. Her past history shows that she was a leader on the road of progress and hrmor; the same blood is here today, and she can again oc. cupy her old position if she will. The more important principles I shall advocate are as follows: First: I believe in honest elec? tions in which ?very white Democrat may vote one Hast at each election and no more. What we must do is to preserve the 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 t overnment inevitably becomes cor. rupt. Second: The gross irregularities in the funds available for the educa? tion of our children, should be rente, died. This can be partially accom. plished by makleg the three.mill tax a State, and not a county tax. All our children are 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 education. 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 annuaby provide sufficient funds to run each 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 thai; a white child re? ceives in eight of the other counties of the State end practlcallly as much as the white children of five other counties receive. Of course this would not entirely equalize all school terms but either of these plans would for^v er do away w:th the 60, 80 and 1ft day schools. The latter plan would 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 civilisation will have to be made over almost entirely. We will have to repeal that provision of our consttution which declares that all property shall be taxed in proper, tion to its value. The personal property tax is the most unjust and the hardest to col? lect of all taxes. No state should tax a citizen's household and kitchen furniture, a mechanic's tools or a farmer's implements of agriculture. In fact, 1 take th< position that this personal property ax should be done away with for S.ate purposes. In its stead let us substitute a grad? uated income tax. somewhat as fol? lows: Allow each individual so much for his own support, so much for his wife, and so much for ea? h dependent child. All income over this exemption, up to $1.000, to pay a very moderate tax of 1 per cent., the next $2,500 to pay 1 1-2 per ?ent., the next $G.r>00 to pay I per cent, all abovo $10,000 to pay I per cent, tho greater the Income, tho higher the rate. I shall advocate an Inheritance tax along the same lines. These are both just taxes: the rreater the income, the greater the need of good government and the [Teeter protection does than man re