The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-02-16
RICHARDS OUT FOR GOVERNOR.
Ills CANDIDACY AND PLATFORM
ANNOUNCED.
Well-knOwn PrOhibitiOnist and Men,
ber OF the House From Kershaw
Declares He VIII be in the Race
For Governor, and States His Po-
sition on Several Important Issues.

nOuncement with definite platform
for Governor Is that Of Capt. John G..
Richards. present-day leader of the
house Of representatives. Capt. Rich
ards in his platform sets a pace and
announces his position on other is
sues than the liquor question. Capt.
Richards makes clean-cut an
nouncement, in which he says:
Yes. after seriously considering
the matter, have determined to en-
ter the race for Governor Of South
Carolina. For some time my friends
In every section of the State have
been encouraging me to run, and af-
ter considering the matter carefully,
1 have decided to enter the list.
While I am not prepared, of course,
at this stage to state in detail what
my platform will contain, I have no
hesitancy as is my habit, in stating
clearly my position on some of the
more important public questions that
are, OF vital interest to the State and
to the people Of the State.
II shall advocate equitable support
of our higher educational institutions
and the fullest and most unstinted
support Of our common school sys-
tenn with particular attention to the
development of rural schools and edu.
cation. Our public school system is
the vitalizing force that supplies our
colleges, and is one OF the very foun-
dations of our republican institutions.
We are now making great improve
ments along educational lines in
South Carolina, but the transcendent
Importance Of this question demands
an even greater effort on our part.
Il shall stand for and urge such
legislation as will make for the full
lest development Of agricultural in.
dustry of State, for'it is the bedrock
foundation of all our prosperity. I
shall stand for vigorous support Of all
agencies making for the development
OF agriculture and for such legisla-
tion as will tend to induce capital TO
come into the State for the purpose
of developing to the fullest measure
our splendid natural resources.
rI shall stand for and advocate
Statewide prohibition, with a strict
and impartial enforcement of the
law. 1 shall stand for retrenchment
In the expenditure of the peoples
money whenever and wherever it can
be done without impairing the public
service. 1 shall stand for a thorough
and complete revision and readiust-
ment Of the tax laws Of the State and
the inauguration of such a system Of
assessments as will make all prop
erty bear Its honest and just proper
tion Of the burden Of taxation.
THE agricultural lien law, so long
the hindering cause and lack of agri
cultural progress and independence.
and the greatest preventive of the
proper control Of our negro labor
has at last been repealed. led the
the hgSt for the farmers, and shall
urge upon our people the necessity
or accepting the changed conditions
just brought about with a determin-
alton upon their part to give the new
law fair trial, and 1 feel that the
wisdom Of this legislation will be
demonstrated.
THE building Of good and perma-
nent highways will add. more to the
value Of property and to the wealth
or our State than our public utility.
The effect of good roads throughout
the State would be felt in every walk
OF life, but they would come as an
especial blessing and a great econo-
my to our people who live in the
country districts. I shall stand for
the permanent Improvement of our
highways. such Improvement being
made under local self-governmenti in
the various counties.
IF 1t should be my good fortune to
be selected by the people of our
proud State to be the Governor
shall endeavor, with all the strength
at my command, to thoroughly fa-
miiiarize myself and keep in constant
touch with the working force of all
or our public institutions and
oranches or the government. and en-
deavor to so post myself in regard
to our public affairs as to intelligent
~ recomemnd to the law-making
power OF the State those things that
the public veal and needs OF the
hour demand.
Il do not care to say any moro at
this time than this: That every pub
90 N..gl