The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-03-09
A Platform and Statement.
% Voters of the Town

To the Voters of the Town:
stated in tl.e announcement Of
myself as candidate for Mayor that
! would briefly state my views to the
voters OF the town for their consider.
alton.
pne word frs: as to how was got
ten into the race. For the last three
terms have been approached by the
father of the leader OF the present OPP
position and urged 10 allow my name
TO be used for Mayor. assuring me. |
would have no opposition. pl-ad
pressure OF my OWN affairs as an ex
cuse for declining. Again, severa!
weeks ago was urged by the spokes
men OF the present opposition to run.
and consented. so take it those who
will vote against me will do SO. not
because OF want Of fitness, bat for
other reasoas. among them being the
popularity Of my opponent. he being
q most excellent gentleman.
AS l understand the real ground
and reason for any opposition. how
ever is because was opposed to the
block ticket system. Not opposed
to the men on the proposed ticket.
they being doubtless my personal
friends. but to the principle Of selec-
ting the ticket for the citizens 10 vots..
they being in my Judgment. compe
tent to select their officers themselves.
and certainly they ought 10 be inter
ested enough to get men into the race
from whom g. selection might be
made. IN short contend our primary
system is good enough for town cleo
tions. and that there should be Only
one ticket upon which the names OF
all candidates for Mayor and Alder
men should be printed, and that the
voter should scratch those he does
not wish TO vote for. It was argued
shis vas not good politics-maybe
not but it IS the way TO select the
best council. for by it every man
stands upon his merit.
Notwithstanding the fact that l
was good enough for their ticket uu-
til the above difference developed. 10
sooner had announced myself than
it was stated upon the street that l
had said, "lf elected, would saddle
the sewer system, OF which Company
I am President, upon the town. 10
the thoughtful need not state. that
entering upon 2 race. with any hope
OF election, l would not be such =
simpieton az 10 make such 2 !oc:l II
statement. The statement. however.
is not only utterly false IN every par
ticular, but have never even dream
ed OF such a thing. This may be bet
ter politics than my idea about the
selection of q council, but it was
sprung too far ahead Of the election.
As / have stated to some, / now reIt
crate as a pledge. that if elected May
or this shall never be done while a,n
in Office. except over my solemn pro-
test. and hope all candidates for AL
German will be similarly pledged.
One more word as TO my platform:
shall give the same careful study TO
to the towns needs and business AS
try TO give TO my private business.
and expect to spend a portion Of each
day that AN, in town in the town
clerks office attending to the towns
affairs.
Every ordinance upzn the statute
book shall be strictly enforced, and
Justice ineted ont to everyone coming
before me judicially. Only the law
breaker need be afraid.
shall stand for clean and hea.-
thy town-not only for clean streets,
but for clean back lots and premises.
From what understand is the con
dition OF the town finances, very lit
tie can be done for several years in
the way Of forward movement, or
in permanent public improvements,
but by careful economy l should hope
to make possible. ! Il few years some
substantial progress.
II the finances should not warrant
the publication in 4 newspaper Of
every item OF town receipts and e1-
pendi:ures, should advocate the
pass. &c OF an ordinance requiring the
town clerk 10 file on the last day Of
each month an iteinized statement Of
such receipts and disbursements for
the month with the Clerk OF Court,
or some other public official. where
any citizen could examine the same
a: any time.
| would much prefer discussing
these and other matters in person be.
fore the voters, but such in brief is
nv position. Respectfully.
W. y. DAVIS.