The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-09-02
SMITH TO PEOPLE,
SENATORIAL CANDIDATE OFT.
LINES HIS PLATFORM AND
ASKS FOR SUPPORT.
Mr. r. ID. Smith Reviews His Work
Ior Southern Cotton Association
and Refutes Slanderous Reports
Circulated by His Political Enemies
5 What He Stands for in Politics.

Circulated by His Political Enemies
3 What He Stands for in Politics,
On account of the washouts on the
railroads. have not been able to
reach my friends from Florence by
mail or in person. I wish to thank
the people Of South Carolina for the
magnificent vote they have given me.
and to assure them Of my heartfelt ap-
probation.
Time will not permit me to answer
personally the many kilograms and
letters I am receiving; but later on
will do 80. In the meantime, I beg
that my friends will do all in their
power to organize and have a friend
OF mine at every voting precinct.
I am very much handicapped be-
cause I am poor man, and have not
the money with which to effect as
thorough an organization as should
like: ! must leave the battle with the
intelligent and patriotic people of
the State; my hope Of success rests
entirely with them.
/ have never done the State of
South Carolina, nor it's people, any
harm; on the contrary, 1 have given
four of the best years of my life to
helping In some degree to secure
higher price for cotton-upon which
all our people are dependent. In this
battle for the people, my efforts have
not been confined to South Carolina,
but can produce testimonials from
men OF the highest character, from
every cotton producing State, that my
efforts have been equally as beneficial
and fruitful in their States as in South
Carolina; had desired to use-as my
political enemies have charged me-
the farmers Of South Carolina for a
stepping stone to Office. I should have
confined my work entirely to South
Carolina; but this 1 have not done.
My political enemies have also
charged that have received a large
amount Of money for my services;
assert--and I hereby append a letter
from the national treasurer of the
Southern Cotton Association, which
shows that I have received but little
more than my travelling expenses. /
have not made this fight for money or
for political preferment, but I made
1t to try and help the poverty stricken
South.
1t Is charged that the business men
OF South Carolina are opposed to me.
I don't believe it. On the contrary. I
have letters and kilograms assuring
me OF their support.
Being farmer and knowing per-
sonally and accurately the adverse
conditions under which the farmers
OF the South labored, and realizing
that from them and their efforts came
the support and sustenance OF every
other business, 1t was therefore neces-
sary that the farmers Of the South be
placed In position where they could
have living chance to better their
condition. and thereby better the
condition of others. Every one knows,
who stops to consider. that the bur.
den of mankind is borne by the men
at the bottom; no building or struc.
ture is stronger than it's foundation.
and I have given my time and money
to the strengthening Of the founda.
ton.
The question Of currency, a fiexi-
BILE and elastic circulating medium. is
Of prime importance to the producers
and laborers Of this country, for the
price Of commodities and labor are
largely dependent upon the available
ity OF currency to meet the demand.
l am In full accord with the Demo-
cratic party to keep the compensation
OF the !aborer and the producer on a
parity with the value of the dollar,
and not allow the dollar to uneuually
purchase either the labor of the work
ing man or the product of the pro-
ducer. The burden Of the tariff in its
last analysis falls upon the producer,
because he Is the man that makes the
wealth that meets the expense. The
tariff destroys foreign competition
and trusts destroy domestic COMPETE
ton. / am against both. You can
never break up the trusts until the
tariff Is revised, and articles manufac-
tured by the trusts should be put on
the free list. All burdens and in
justices growing out Of iniquitous leg