Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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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 Democratic voters of Sumter County my position on several of the more important national questions. On account of the fact that there will be but one regu lar meeting in your County, at which the voters may have an opportunity to hear a discussion of the views I hold with reference to pending and proposed legisla tion, 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 eauality ennunciated in our American Constitution and the principle of free gov ernment under which our nation has prospered, have grown into world meaning and significance. The spirit and genius of self government, successfully prac ticed by the American people, have extended beyond American borders, and its benign influence is today spreading among progressive peoples everywhere. 'Thus it is that the horizon of American Democratic Government is breaking upon foreign nations, and our added influence in world affairs gives a deeper meaning to the term "Americanism." Apparently, destiny has decreed the mission to American democracy not only to achieve the highest and best in government for our own-people; but as well, to point the way toward an advanced civilization among the other nations of the ? \ earth. As a result, new questions of national policy and in ternational relationships confront the American legis lator. It is important, therefore, that our lately ac quired high international status be maintained; and the measure of our influence abroad will be determined, in large degree, by the proficiency with which the American Congress interprets the aspirations of the American people. In my opinion the people of the Sev enth 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 of these hig^ ideals at home and abroad. PEACE TREATY. / ? Under the American Constitution the power to rat ify treaties is vested in the Senate of the United States, . but the wisdom of an immediate ratification, in its en tirety, of the Peace Treaty appeals to every patriotic American. RECONSTRUCTION ERA. Our returned veterans of the World War come back to their home land with enlarged visions of world af fairs. Tney nave gathered ideas abroad which no doubt will enlarge and strengthen their conception of the duties and responsibilities of our social and eco nomic life, and which can be adopted and woven into legislation for the common good. On the other hand, Bolshevism and many other European ideas and "isms," so abhorrent to the principles of free government, should be branded in the very begi nnmg as a pestilence and swept from our midst by legislation so drastic as to render their further growth impossible. MILITARY CODE. Our military code, in my opinion, is unfit in many re spects for the naval and military forces of a free and democratic people. Alterations should be effected which would obliterate the pomp and useless imagin ary distinction in social equality between officers and enlisted men. WAR TIME LEGISLATION AND REFORM OF FEDERAL COURT RULES. In order that a return to pre-war and normal status may be effected, T advocate the immediate abolition of legislation passed purely and simply as war measure?.. Under the war legislation, the principle of State 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 liti gants and defendants reasonable, inexpensive and fair trials by providing for the trial of cases in the com munity in which they arise. Further, the rules should be so amended as to safeguard any possible practice of autocracy by presiding officials. 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 gov ernment is the highest product of emancipated minds. Figures recently compiled show that forty-four out of every hundred American children, do not attend school. The recent draft act revealed a lack of educational pre paredness which is appalling. I am in favor of a better and higher system of educational advntages 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 every 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, gov erning 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 my 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 light for high pro tection on articles of consumption by the South, which JOHN HUGHES COOPER Born April 18, 1885, at the Indiantown Settlement in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. He lived and worked on the farm, attending Public Schools in his community until he entered the Kingstree Graded School, and later the University of South Carolina. After having pursued the Academic course at that in stitution for about two yeears, on account of lack of money and unanticipated responsibilities, he was forced to discontinue his college course ^nv.l he ceuld add to his finances. In September, 1008 resumed study at the University of Soul h Carolina, taking up law, and during the vacation periods* worked thai: lie might be able to continue his education. Graduated in 1910. Began practice of law in Columbia, S. C, and soon be gan to specialize in Criminal Law. In 1914 took post graduate course in Criminal Law at Columbia Univer ' sity, New York. Has built up one of the largest indi vidual law practices in South Carolina. consequently lays a dismcrmiinating burden of taxa tion upon the people of this section, must be met. I believe in the time-honored principle to which the Democratic Party has always adherred of a tariff suf ficient for revenue purposes only, and a free list includ ing the necessary articles of general consumption. .1 shall vigorously oppose any form or system of tariff duties laid solely for protective purposes. 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 def inite and conservative system of channel improvements. I shall labor for the improvement of the Con^raree, Wateree, Santee and Ed is to River systems, which will result in giving to middle Carolina trade cheap 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 rail ways now are; in fact, more so, because^good roads di rectly affect 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 direc tion, and, if elected to .Congress, will labor to get every dollar i can for road purposes so long as no encum brances are attached, which will embarrass local direc tion or supervision in the upbuilding and maintenance of our highways. Motor transportation is today rival ing the railroads as a common carrier of freight and passengers, and it is sound'economy to build our roads as arteries of transportation. AGRICULTURE, Agriculture is the natural basis of our prosperity; its furtherance and development 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 or* the work, both of the National and Slate Departments of Agriculture, have justified the increasing expenditures in behalf of im proved farm conditions and country life. 1 stand for a continuance of 1 hat 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 mean;: a re opening of the world trade in cotton, feed sturls, and other agricultural products under mos? favorable con ditions to the Southern farmer. This indicat's a hith erto unattain.ee! prosperity for the South. The re building of t::e ruined countries of Europe creates a ready market for every avaifebl* surplus American ag ricultural product. This new situation demands the highesi and besi patriotic thoughl end si rely of our Congress, and if I be permitted a pari ?n Erecting our National Legislation along these lines; [ pledge every energy of mind and body in :ho interests of the Agri cultural classes of this District. FERTILIZER. I shall oppose any protective tariff, levied upon pot ash, nitrate, and other so-called commercial fertilizer Ingredients. Under such a tariff the farmer who is the ultimate consumer would have the burden Gf the tax to bear, and I am opposed to any tax which discrimi nates against one class in favor of another. RURAL CREDITS. I favor a broadening of the scope in our present Rural Credit Act, so as to extend its benefits to needy but worthy farmers. I conceive the greatest purpose of the system to be to furnish farmers, and particu larly those just beginning life, who are without com mercial credit, but who do possess integrity and ambi tion, an opportunity of becoming owners of their farms and homes. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. If elected, I shall work for Federal appropriations for all needed public buildings in those cities of our district where conditions justify the expenditure. CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. I believe that the natural resources of this nation belong to the people of this nation. I am opposed to .monopolistic ownership, or control which, in effect, con stitutes a special cr privileged ownership of our water powers and other natural resources. I am opposed to any policy which will further transfer right and title in our water powers to monopoly. In my opinion it behooves us as a nation to practice a more frugal use of our forefets. From the practice of such an economy two benefits will result; first, we will save a waste in timber consumption, which, under our present system of cutting, means at no far distant period a depletion of our lumber supply, and, second, the high water floods writh their attendant damage to property which result from the denudation #2 forests at our river sources, will be decreased. MERCHANT MARINE. I believe that the encouraging of international com merce by a capabfe merchant marine will serve to strengthen the bonds of commercial friendship with the other nations of the world, and afford our people an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of international mar kets. 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 facilities en countered in the recent war furnish an indication as to our need for bottoms adequate to transport Ameri- ? can 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 ton nage to uphold and maintain, independent of foreign owned bottoms, America's trade with all nations. CAPITAL AND LABOR. Logically, labor and capital are friends. Each is a necessary companion of the other. Both are essential to development and progress. Either without the other , is helpless. 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 in duce capital unhesitatingly to seek to perform its proper function in developing our present, industries, and to enter new fields of research for tfee attainment of further industrial progress. Firmly, openly, and unhesitatingly, I stand for or ganized labor, both as a legal and moral right. This is a day of specialization 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 recogznized, : they are capable of producing the most satisfactory results. Without the necessary protection and influ ence 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. Care ful and sane legislation, looking to the, encouragement and protection of organized labor, without undue dis crimination against the rights o fthe unorganized \ working'man, is an important public issue which I shall meet 'squarely and act upon in accordance with the views herein expressed. IMMIGRATION. The time has come to put into practice the slogan of "America for Americans." I shall support any meas ure which looks toward a furthev restriction of immi gration into this country. I believe that America should assimilate her present foreign population and that born of foreign prentage, before wre admit new immigrants into our land. It is unfair to the laboring classes of American born citizens to admit into com petition with them the cheap-living, pauper labor of Europe. It is due the future generations of Ameri- v cans that the traditions of free-government and the unimpaired natural resources of this nation be pre served inviolate as the heritage of the children of American parents. To be an American citizen hence forth means "All-American. CONCLUSION. The above announced policies represent briefly my position cn the several questions considered; but, to be truly representative of a people, one must maintain an open mind, and 1 shall always welcome suggestions on the positions announced, and on all further questions and issues which, from time to time, may arise. JOHN HUGHES COOPER, Candidate for Congress.