The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-08-19
A Word for r F. Smith for Congress.

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is we'll enough to reflect further to the
extent of considering the motives that
have actuated each in the choice of his
platform and it's advocacy before the
people. l refer in this connection more
especially to the candidates aspiring to
represent the Third South Carolina Dis
trict in Congress. 1t goes without say
ing that all of these gentlemen are
clean honorable men, but there are es-
sential differences in them when it
comes to considering. any one of them
as probable representative of this pro-
gressive district, and these differences
must be taken into account in the meas
urement we are called upon to make on
the 26th of August and to be concluded
on the day of the second election, for
such is to be expected.
A review of the platforms of the
different candidates for this office is
pertinent in this connection. Messrs.
Prince, Rucker, Graydon and McCalla
have served as representatives OF their
counties in the State legislature and
while their records are no doubt con-
sistent, and their efforts have also been
directed towards the promotion of the
best interest of their people, their
service as State legislators as re-
counted by them as refrains to
their political arguments on the stump
show that in the school Of legislation
they are yet novices when it comes to
handling questions and problems of ma
tional concern.
Mr.. Aiken has never had legislative
experience of any kind, yet he shows q
familiarity with the leading questions
of the day quite equal to any of his op-
ponents who boast of years of service
In the South Carolina House of Repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Stribbling has had linn
tied legislative experience.
DR.. Smith has had some experience
as a law maker, having served as a
member of the Constitutional Conven-
ton in 1895 where his sound Judgment
was exercis ID, along with his active
energetic support, In framing funda-
mental law for South Carolina that was
thought to meet the changed conditions
brought about by the change OF times
and public necessities.
But it is by their stump speeches and
arguments on public questions pressing
for study and solution that we must
Judge their capacity to represent us in
this live age. Which of them does
really advance any ideas for the SETTLE
ment, to our interest, of the stubborn
problems affecting us in national way,
beyond urging the following of a course
of action laid out by the recognized
leaders of the Democratic party? Which
of them presents any definite plan by
which Southern people may hope to
effect a betterment of their condition
through federal laws? l ask only that
they be weighed by their speeches as
the best and only safe measurement.
1 admit that they are agreed on the
salient features of true Democracy, and
all of thnm endorse the Democratic
platform and urge allegiance to the
Democratic party as the medium OF our
political advancement, but for progress
iveness within party lines and the sug-
gestion of measures that embody active
energy which will continue to draw life
and support from the recognized needs
of our people as they are shaped into
demands, we need something more than
mere party subservience. We need
active minds that will formulate system
haSjRsSs R!2Rs aaa #s #sSf sRss
our claims, however advanced they may
be, yet always within Democratic
bounds, to the end that something def
mite may be accomplished for the peo-
pie who are certainly ready for all the
assistance that may be had from well
framed laws that look towards efecting
the very reforms and advantages that
prOper laws can bring.
In order to speed the movement OF
progress in which all the South is Vi
tally interested we must be represented
by men who are alive to what the busl-
ness interests of the country need. 1t
is time to lay aside sentimental politics
and develop the practical, business side
in practical, business way, and the
attention of every voter is called to the
fact that by the utterances of DR.: r. F.
Smith in stating his platform and CIV
ing an exposition of his views, there IS
presented an embodiment of sound poll
tics and the only practical and sensible
plan of administration to be pursued by
the representatives of any Southern
district. AS for the other candidates
for this office, they offer few sugges-
tions. Some of them seem to be ham,
pered by the weight of their past politi-
cal records but have been gradually, as
the campaign progressed, falling into
Smiths platform in an undecided way
since they began to see that Smiths
presentation of the vital issues of this
campaign is drawing the attention of
the people and helping them to reali-
cation of the possibilities in store for
them if they only assert their claims.
For good Democratic doctrine, and
sound political methods to be advocated
by member of Congress, DIR. Smith
has taken the lead throughout the cam
paign. Others are running on personal
popularity and relying greatly on stump
ing ability. Smith has advantages in |
ali these lines and has proven himself |
the equal of any of them in forensic |
ability besides, because he comes to the |
people with something to say to make |
them think. He has studied the domi |
nant questions in an intelligent way and |
is well posted on them. Hehas studied |
them from the standpoint of the pro-
ducer and the manufacturer as well and |
offers suggestions which, if carried out
in legislation, will rebound to the ad-
vantage of both. He is interested in
every phase of business carried on in
this section and knows the needs of the
country and who could better under
lake to represent US than the man
whose interests are identified with the
interests of the great mass of the peQ-
Die? And when these conditions are
coupled with the rare ability that is
capable of ferreting out and grasping
he evils that contend against the sue