Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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reive from government. An inheri. tance tax hi the easiest volle? ted and the fuircst tax any State can levy. Mow many large estates have all of ua known that wero worth from fl\c to ten times tho umount they had ever been on tho tax books for. Now we como to our most Important, ami also our most serious problem in taxation, real estate. Wo have more than 20,000 white tenants, thousands oi* factory operatives who own no homes and other thousands of wage earner* in our cities and towns who live In rented house*. t tako the position that all of these would be i more valuable as. set to thw Mta'c were they home own. ers. The question is, How can tho 8'ate eld them? To my mind, the best plan would be for the state to nrake a loan to any of these who wish to purchase a home, a sum not exceeding #2,000 on 20 years' tlmo at a low rate of Interest, 4 1.2 to 5 per cent; the first .'iree years tho inter, ent only to bo paid; In the remaining 1" years the debt to be liquidated in equal annual payments. The State would sell coupon bonds against these loans largely outsldo the State, and this would bring a largo amount of capital here for investment. This would greatly benefit all lines of bus. tnees, banking, manufacturing, mcr. rhnndlslng, farming and all othor llnea would leap forward with neu life, of course the Intorest of the State would have to bo carefully safeguarded. The purchaser must make thla his home, or sell to some one who will; In no case shall he place a tenant In charge. Another plan would be for the state to exempt $2.000 worth of real estate from taxation for a period of, say, 20 years, provided the ownor made his home thereon. This would not be as advantageous to tho pur. ch?*er because ?i would bo unable to get aa low a rate of interest, or so long a time In which to pay. It would not be aa advantageous to the State because her revenue* would bo heavily cut, by exempting not orly the new purchases, but ulso tho sumo amount of all owners who were Uv. lag on their land. I would be very glad to go Into n discussion of our present unjust as. seaament of roal estato an 1 give my views as to tho proper method of assessment. but to make myself clear, would take entirely too much space. 1 trust that no one will think that 1 would expect our taxing depart, merit, as at present organised, to car. ry out these groat reforms. This de? partment would have to be roorgan. Ised on broad State lines. I am In favor of tho Torrens sys? tem of land registration. Our pres? ent system makes real estato M un. dealrablo collateral, and the tracing of titles is a heavy tax on the bor? rower. 1 am the candidate of no man or set of men. The views I express nre my eiwn. arrived at after careful study and I believe thoir enactment Into law will greatly benollt our people. Lowndos Hrowing. Mendel Is Smith of Camdcn Stand* For: The following platfetrm In that of If I, Smith of Camdcn. sponkcr of the house and candidate for gov? ernor: To tbs IKmocratlc voters of South Carolina: Having become a candidate for the nomination for the office e?f ge>Vcrnor In tho approaching Democratic pri? mary. 1 shall avail myself of the op? portunity afforded to present to the people of the Stato, at this time, my views on some of the questlor s which may be of some Interest in the cam? paign. I shall conscientiously strive to makem y position e leur e?n every Is? sue Involved, and present to the poo ple, face to face, and metre fully than now. such matters as I bcMeve arc es? sential In their determination of the fitness of ono offering for tho highest he nor and trust within their gift. Taistlon. No ?iticstion in human government demands i more careful and constant thought than thut of taxation. No erne can. or will, de ny that It costs more tn conduct the affairs of the gov. ernment now than In former year*. If this were not true. It would mean ih it we were living In an unprogres she condition, and totally wlttmut response to that splendiel i olrlt of de. velopment which Is so munli^st in the social. odueatle>nal und Industrial life of our people. The ostablihrne nt end maintenance of aelmirably equipped Institutions of burning, nfforellng to our SU0I and girl* at home excellent opportunities fe>r aeleqtiato literary professional, military, agricultural and Industrial tealninir; the creation ot new depart meats e>f gatfgf git?Ill, made n? < essary '? , progress, of whi? b the' department of agriculture and Indus? trien Is an excellent example; a most pr'?noune-ed Increase in the ? ost of liv? ing with its boarimc on the salaries oi public officers; a comme ndahle State and county prldo. expressed In the> construction of convenie nt and com fuodlous public buildings; a gefJeSfttl *- I n ational awakenin^ mnnif* | I c improved methods of instruction more efficient teachers, enlarged fa? cilities, better school buildings Mid special levies; the urgent demand of Rood roads, as a necessity in rural and community life, and many other necessary and helpful agencies, con? tribute to an Increased expense In the operation of the government. These matters must be recognized by all. ex? cept tho blatant demagogue, in con? sidering this question. While I do not advocate any policy which would im? pair tho usefulness of any depart? ment of the government, or agency, which 1 believe essential to the real progress and happiness of the people, i I do favor a policy which will dc-| maud tho most rigid economy and business-like methods in every depart? ment. I Proi?crty Assessment. Any system which permits lands differing as much In value as 100 per cent to bo assessed at the same value In different parts of tho State, or personalty similar in value to be as? sessed at valuation differing as much as 100 per cent., is radically wrong. Yet, such is the possibility and tho operation of our system today. The result is that citizens and" property owners, enjoying the same rights and privileges, and entitled to tho same protection under the government, are bearing a grossly unequal burden to? ward its support. Tho trouble to n largo extent, lies in certain provisions of tho State constitution, which I shall endeavor to discuss on .he campaign, as the space here allowed will not permit it. As a legislator I have fav? ored a policy which provided for the appointment of a commission, so con? stituted as to insuro nn Intelligent and thorough investigation of tho whole subject, with tho view of securing such information and data as would constitute tho basis for a more reason? able and equitable system. I favor that policy now. Education. Overshadowing all questions In which our people should now bo con ccrnod Is the great question of educa? tion. The conditions which justify tho interposition and aid o? the gov? ernment in the general education of tho people arc being splendidly vin? dicated in the general educational awakening of our people today. While tho legislative department of the government has responded with com? mendable genorosity to the financial nocds and requirements of an awak? ened educational activity, there has boen somo indifference exhibited to the greatest efficiency of this aiel, manifested thus far in the absence of any pronounced effort to create or adopt a modern, well sustained and well balanced school plan or system [Which shall actively embody many of j thoso progressive ideas anel policies which have been demonstrated by ac? tual tests and experience to bo so ; helpful in promoting the clause of ' education. I shall discuss some phases of this on the campaign more fully. I shall now, however, present tho following views: 1. As our cntiic public educational system, consisting of the university, college, for different kinds of train? ing, high school, graded school and common school, should represent a gradation whereby advancement from tho lower to the higher standard is moro readily and beneficially attained* so should tho law relating to such I recognise tho general cooperative purpose and tho part which has been assigned to each in tho general plan. 2. I favor a liberal, not extrava ? gant, support of tho higher institu? tions of learning. 3. I favor a policy which shall en? courage tho work of the high school ? und especially tho establishment and I maintenance of a system of country graded schools, which shall promote term extension In our common schools und encourage the building of convenient and sanitary school buildings. 4. I favor a continuance of the 1 mlll tax for the benefit of tho poor common schools of the State, such tax to be distributed under suitable statutory regulations. This Is the only method whereby the marked diner ences In the resources of the school districts can bo equalized and the poor common schools aided. G. I favor the establishment of tex? tile schools In till thoso countlea [where the cotton mill population is I sufficient to reasonably warrant the expenditure. 0. 1 am in favor of what has been , properly termed the local option sys tern of compulsory education. Where the question is left to the people of a school district, for example, for determination by petition and election many of the Strong arguments against u general compulsory system can inn possibly apply. People of a small area are familiar with the number 01 accommodations and other local con? ditions which might : ?? valuable In de? termining a question of compulsion. Ths ?ystem is not only founded upon sound democratic doctrine, but wher? ever put into operation by the will of the people? would become an object lesson, whose good rOStltS would ex? cite a desire to follow the example and stimulate the Improvements of those local conditions necessary |u muke it effective. Lionel Roads. There is no agotioy more vital to the social, educational ami industrial J avancement of a people than the good road. I would consider any administration especially fortunate and favored If it should be the means I of promoting this cause, as no fact could be a more worthy and lasting memorial to its efficiency. In this connection 1 am in favor of using all available convict labor on the public highways. The splendid effect of such work Is no better shown than in the case of Georgia. When the dreadful iniquities of her convict lease sys? tem had been mercilessly exposed and swept away by legislative enactment, she was confronted with a very seri? ous problem as to the disposition of her convicts. They were put upon tho roads and the results were mar? velous. Georgia is today one of the foremost States on road building and maintenance. I hope to present more at length other views connected with this important subject on the stump. Public Health. We have reached that period in our progress when I believe there should be a more liberal governmental recog? nition of medical science, hygiene and sanitary precautions, as helpful agen? cies in promoting the true object of all government?the real progress and happiness of the people. Nothing more seriously impairs the earning capacity of a citizenship than discusc and low? ered physical vitality. From July 1. 1909, to May 1, 1914, the State board of health, through laboratory work, has treated 878 people; to prevent rabies, has made 10,093 microscopic examinations and has furnished 37, 887 doses of typhoid vaccine. The lowest commercial rates for this work would amount to $62,04 5.0'j. Yet, it has only cost the State $21,825.97, thereby saving not only the sum of $40,820.02, but tho lives of men, wo? men and children, many of whom wcro financially unable to take such treatment, without one cent of cost to tho individual. In addition to this tho board has furnished 863,077 vac? cine points and treated abqut 8,000 cases of diphtheria, 40 per cent of whom would have died without it, and 2 per cent in spite of it. This record is its own splendid vindication, and I shall favor not only a most liberal en? couragement and support of this work hut also of the hospital for the treat? ment of tuberculosis, which was es? tablished by the last legislature. Development. This is*peculiarly an age of mar? velous material activity and progress ?a period which is altogether un? precedented. If it is our purpose to carry on the development of our al? most unlimited resources, to maintain , that place in the great progressive j movement of the day which is fully I justified by our agricultural and In. ] dustrial facilities, then we must adopt a policy which is fair, just and en? couraging to all legitimate interests and such a policy I heartily favor. Agriculture Is the real backbone and mainstay of tho State. Whatever tends to advance this great interest and de? velopment is for the benefit of all. I am in favor of every policy which stands for the agricultural advance? ment of this State and which will glvo to the farmer a beneficial sys? tem of marketing and warehousing his crops. Railroads. I am in favor of a 2-ccnt passen? ger rate in this State, with an ex? emption in favor of the short line. I also favor with some modification, which will promote its object, of the bill considered during the last session of the general assembly, known as the "full crew" bill. I have observed recently an instance of two engines pulling a train consisting of more than 70 freight enrs, with only three men to handle the train, and I am informed thatt ho practice is common with trains ranging from GO to 75 cars. It seems to me that this Is not only unfair to the employes, but un? safe and dangerous, and should not he permitted by law. Law r.uforccmcnt. (Mir government consists of three coordinate departments. It is the duty of the legislative department to make the law, the judicial to declare It and the executive to enforce it. With this division and relation of the parts, the true interests of tho people always ultimately suffer where there is a failure on the part of either. With this conception of the offlco, I shall Stand, If elected, fur a vigorous en? forcement of the law. For the ac? complishment of this purpose, l shall avail myself of every agency permitted under the constitution and laws. The (??urse of the lawless element in so? ciety, however open ami notorious, is not more destructive of the true in? terests of the government than tho prostitution of the executive power and duty which would permit or sym? pathise with it. Harmony. In acknowledging my election t" the Spoakorshlp In January, 1913, li stated, in port, to the house of repl'C? sentatlvcs as follows: "in our own affairs wo should applyI to our Stale what the great and son slide lender of Democracy, surround? ed bj the lender uud charming aaso elation! of his youth, a few days ago' said of the nation when he expressed the hope, In his service as president of tho United states, 'the hearts of all men in the United States for the ser? vice of a nation that lias no region, nor section, nor North, nor South' might 1)0 brought together. So let ua come lrom the various sections of our State with mind and heart united In a common cause. Let our councils he free from factional differences, strife and needless and senseless con. tention. These can only result in that spirit of intolerance which is far below the plane of true statesman? ship. Let the watchword of this ses? sion be harr tony, and an earnest, con. Sclentious cooperative effort for the accomplishment of constructive leg? islation as far as wc see the needs of the State." It is my earnest hope that this I spirit may now prevail, and that wc may all unite in conserving the high-! I est good and 'velfare of our State. It is my purpose to make a clean, manly, aggressive campaign, and if I am honored by our people as their choice for this great trust I shall use every honorable effort to promote their real good, their real prosperity and happiness. What It. A. Cooper Advocates. Synopsis of speec h of It. A. Cooper, of Laurens, candidate for governor, delivered today: Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens: Thtis is the llrst time in my life to offer my services to the people Of South Carolina. I am glad to live in a country where the humble citizen may offer himself for the highest and most important office. The position of governor of a State is more import? ant to the people of the State than any other office. Tho constitution under which we live makes the gov? ernor "the supreme executive author? ity" of the State. It also provides that "he shall take care that the laws he faithfully executed in mercy." He has power 'to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, except In cases of impeachment, in such man? ner, on such terms, and under such restrictions as ho shall deem proper." Also, that the "governor shall, from time to time, give to the general as. ucmhly Information of the condition of the State, and recommend for its consideration such measures as he shall deem necessary and expedient." In brief, the welfare, the happiness and the material prosperity of the State rest In no small degree, in the hands of the chief executive. Such being the scope of the duty and authority of a chief magistrate, tho selection of one to this high of? fice is a matter of very great import? ance. If I am not mistaken, it was Thomas Jefferson, tho great Demo, erat, who said that in a republican form of government like ours, tho honest voter, when called upon to se? lect one to fill an office, should ask himself three questions: 1st. Is he competent? 2nd. Is he worthy? and 3rd. Will he he faithful? It is upon these grounds that 1 would place my candidacy for this great office, the greatest in the gift of tho people of my native State. And let mo say here and now that I sin? cerely trust that during the campaign upon which we today enter, it will bo the controlling purpose of each and every candidate to be; measured by tho people of the State upon the ba? sis of his fitness for tho public ser? vice. I would refuse to accept any offico at the hands of my people up? on any other ground than my Individ? ual qualifications for service in the particular office sought. If it shall bo my good fortune to be nominated governor of this State in tho an. pronchlng primary, it will bo my con? stant desire to render to the people of this State the best service that is in mo. I do not suppose that there is a candidate before the pcoplo of South Carolina today who will not readily concede that the most important question before the people of the State, and the one which will continue to be of most importance, is that ?>f providing facilities for the education led our boys rod girls. We should bear in mind that a great majority of the children of this State will ro ceive only such education as In provid. od by their local schools. Such be? ing the ease, it is, and ought to be the policy of the State to raise the standard of these schools until they provide tho very best that can be had. It is a sad commentary on our State today, but it is nevertheless true, so I am informed, that we can not "ac? commodate in our schools the white chihlre I of Ihe State who ought To be In school. 1 believe that the State should at once take the neeessary steps to provide ample facilities for tho education of our white children, and then we will be in the position, i?" necessary, to enact and enforce a cotni ulsory school attendunce law. It h the duty of a state to provide its children cental opportunities, and it is the> light of every c hild to have an equal chance, with every other. Another matter which should have the carneesl and painstaking atten? tion of i?iir legislative department is cui present system of taxation. It is Im possible on this occasion to .u<> ful? ly Into si discussion of this matter, but as the campaign progresses, I hope to elaborate my views In this regard, it seems to me that some plan can and should be devised by which we can, approximately at least, secure a none! just and equal assessment of our property for taxation. Every honest man is willing to bear his pro rata share of the burdens of government. He ought not to expect less, and he should not be required to do more. 1 do not suppose there Is a man in this audit nee who docs not fully real? ize that another one of the most im? portant matters which should engage our attention at this time is that of improving our public highways. Cer? tainly nothing can be of more mater? ial benefit to our farming population, The farmer's transportation tax is. and has been for a long time, one of his chief difficulties. The furnishing) of good roads will not only enhance tho value of farm property and add to the comfort and conveniences of farm i life, but will increase the prosperity of the State in all lines. It is useless, however, to advocate the furnishing of better highways, and at the same time vote a reduction in taves, be? cause, my friends, it is going to cost money to have improved highways. The fundamental basis of our ma? terial prosperity Is, and will continue to be, our agricultural resources. South Carolina is, and must remain ah agricultural State. I would not dis? courage our manufacturing industries, nor would 1 minimize their import? ance, but when all has been said, our agricultural industries remain of prime importance. What we need to? day in our State is that more of our white people who must look to the farm for a support ami for a home, should be owners of their farms. I trust that the national government will, with as little delay as possible, enact a rural credit law, and that the State will take the necessary steps to encourage our people to become own? ers of the farme on which they must live. In this connection, I think that Clemson College which has been, and Is doing so much for our State, should establish and operate demonstration farm schools in e\ < ry county in the i State, because there can he no real j development and substantial improve I ment In the condition of our farms : until their owners have acquired the Information necessary to take advan? tage of the many economies in prep? aration of soil, use of fertilizers, etc. Clemson College is a great institution and is doing a great work, but in my humble judgment Its benefits can be further extended as suggested!. Another matter which should en? gage our most careful attention is that of the public health. We prob? ably do not need any additional legis? lation In regard to this matter, but proper facilities should be provided and adequate steps taken, to stamp out as nearly as possible, contagious and infectious diseases which, year by year, are claiming their victims in our State. I believe that the medical fraternity have about reached the point where typhoid fever and many other dangerous diseases can be practically eradicated, certainly pre? vented. I have confidence enough in the medical profession of South Caro? lina to trust it to co-operate effectively with the State for the elimination and prevention of diseases if the proper facilities are provided. In conclusion, I refer again to the chief functions of the chief magis? trate of the State. The constitution says "he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed in mercy." It is not contemplated that the governor will be a tyrant. It is not contem? plated that he will enter upon the discharge of his duties with a spirit of vlndictivsness, but that he will see that the laws are faithfully executed in mercy. We should bear in mind that the freedom and liberty of a peo i pie increase in proportion as the laws are faithfully and impartially execut? ed. There is nothing that means more in the happiness and prosperity of a State than that the laws shall provide and furnish adequate protec? tion to its citizens. If elected gov? ernor, I shall have no enemies to pun? ish, and no friends to favor in this regard, l should feel it my duty not alone to prevent race track gambling fn Charleston, or blind tigers in Co? lumbia, but also to see that all the laws arc impartially executed from the mountains to the sea. Whether I personally approved of every law on our statute book, so long as it re? mained a law, I would feel and would know it to be my sworn duty to see that it is enforced; and to this end, 1 would use every power vested in me. 1 >o not misunderstand me In this mat? ter. 1 realize that the purpose of the law Is to restrain the hand of every man uplifted for another's injury, and also, to reform and rec laim those who have fallen Into ways of evil, and wrong doing. I would, therefore, at? tach due Importance to that provision of the constitution which says thai the laws should be executed "in mercy." .1. II. A. Mnllallv. To the Chairman of the Meeting, state Campaign Speaking, Suinter, S C. hear Sir: 1 am one of the eandi dates for governor and had fully ex [>ected to he In Su Liter tomorrow, the 17th, to speak to 'uy fellow c itizens. An accident to my ;ht foot that hap? pened on my way A <> Keowee church last Sunday provgu.ntially prevents my attendance It is a grievious dis? appointment hut (Jod knows host. May 1 request you to read tIiis let? ter and the enclosed printed draft or outline of my platform to the aud? ience instead of my speech and to hand the copies to the leading lficase men of the various sections of your county and country, giving one here and one there where they will be read and kept and shown from and by voter to voter. I am a man of limited means, a poor man so far as this world's goods and money is concerned and I have spent hundreds of dollars, nearly my all, to print the literature that I .shall later hand to every voter in this Stare and I have no oth< ? means of reach? ing the real people, the people that prayerfully think and vote according? ly?the people thai will elect as their governor John Bailey Adger Mullally of Anderson and as their United States senator, Coleman Livingston "Bloasc of Xcwherry, South Carolina. Sincerely, John Railey Adger Mullally. P. S. 1 find thnf I could not come at any rate for the most solid anti Blenee anti-Mullally lawyer in Ander? son defeated by mv efforts in the last campaign has just had me served with a premature notice to appear before Judge French in a settlement. The notcc was ostentatiously served In J the public square. The best counsel I in the city say that it should properly j have been served if at all for the 24th or after. They can beat Cole Flease or "Honest John" Mullally by shyster tactics. The people of Sum tcr shall hear me. Fair play, ain't dead yet. The estate In question has been paid over so far as the female heirs are concerned and all this is a matter of record. My phauiplet will tell the whole story. Mullally Stan<l> with 1llca.se. 1 am now a candidate at the earn? est solicitation of many good men for governor of the Palmetto State. 1 am for the election of the judges of that State by the people and not for their selection by the "Statesmen" of the legislature. 1 am for Home Rule in cities and in other localities and boundaries where interests are identi? cal and lecal, and wherever the choice of the city or secetion does not work an injustice :^r a nuisance per se to other localities, or the State In general. I am aga.nst the merger of the cotton mills and other industries. I believe?I know that "the merger" is but another name for "the trust" ?and that that means that the State shall clothe by legislative enactment the banded corporate interests with the power unlimited; 1st. To regu? late the price of the raw material?to force the producer, the farmer, to take just such a price for his cotton for instance as the allied corpora? tions, the trust, the merger, shall dic? tate and fix; 2d. to give the said merger the power co pay labor just what it pleases; 3d to enable the merger to charge the consumer?you and I, everybc y?just what it pleases, protected by toe |p uuitous tariff, for the finished prbdu I?the cloth?the thread?the spindle's out-put. I see unrest and strikes and labor troubles, and the countless ills that have follow? ed the legalization of the trusts or mergers in every other State. 1 see the cost of the necessities of life, al? ready too high, going higher. 1 believe in equal rights to all and special privileges to none. I am a Democrat.. I believe in a government cd' the people, by the peo? ple, and for the people. I believe with Thomas Jefferson and Coleman Livingston Ulease that the people are capable to govern t hemselves. I be? lieve that there is as much of patrio? tism and virtue behind the home? spun and the gingham as there is be? hind the broadcloth and the silks. I believe that that dy of the people that supports this untry in time of peace and dies for u in time of war ought to have its share in the pros? perity of the country and its part in its government. 1 believe that tho consumer, and the real producer, and the laborer in field. In factory, in of? fice, in store, in s. ly, in laboratory, in shop, and in hoiee, should receive for himself and h .self the samo measure of protecsj ?n and prosper? ity accorded the favored few. l endorse ev ery i ord of Governor Blease when he sa> in his Walter boro speech, on Sau relay, April 11, 1 1 4 : ? Allow me to announce the prin? ciples that should bo the platform of the candidates this summer; 1st. An honest administration of all laws, fairly am' impartially to all citlsens alike. 2nd. Enforcing all laws upon all subjects, and obedience to the consti? tution of the United States and con? stitution of South Carolina. Sd. Keeping forever separate the legislative, judicial and executive de? partments of the government, each, ? Continued on pane 6.)