Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1910-08-10

all property for the support, OF the
schools. Mr.. Simkins emphasized
the Importance of taking advantage
of the appropriation for the estab'
lishment of high schools, venturine
the prediction that it will not be
long before high school is estab.
lished at Red Hill. Mr.. Simkins
stated that an effort was made to
kill the high school bill but he, as,
sisted by other members, secured Its
passage. He said on many occa'
sions he fought for the rights of the
people and if they return him to the
legislat ture he will continue to stand
upfor their rights.
He stated briefly that he favored
biennial sessions, four-year terms
foh county officers. Favors Glenn
son college but believes that some
of the privilege tax should be di,
vorted to the common schools. He
favors good roads and says banks
and railroads should be made to
pay a portion of tax for road i'm
provement. A bill providing half
mill levy was passed. Expressed
himself as being local optimist.
In conclusion Mr.. Simkins offered
to answer any question concerning
his record of service that any one
desired to ask.
Hon. M. P. Wells.
At the outset Mr.. Wells thanked
the people for past favors, stating
that he had come. to Red Hill to
give an account of his stewardship.
He first took up the state colleges
and the support that is given them
as compared with that given the
common schools. Mr.. Wells says
the state has about S5,000,000 In
vested in college property which in
vested at per cent interest, would
bring an income of 100000. Add
to this the 100000 that is required
to support these schools, and then
it WILDE seen that the annual cost
to the state Of the J, 900 stud tents is
$500. .ouo, or about S 700 to- each stu
dent, whileathe pun @ olll7'
mon sellsols on s.eeeI We lHb lg gl
eas 81 < tea he Was an
enemy Of the clieges but that too
great a discrimination exists. Ap-
preparations to the state institutions
have become too extrayagant. Wof-
ford, Erskine, ana Furman Univer-
sityliv and do good work without
one dollar of appropriation.
Mr.. Wells next explained how he
has saved the state 100000 dollars a
year in interest by providing for
refunding the state debt of s6,000,-
ooC at, 3-2 instead of 4-2 per cent, the
rate now being paid. The Comp
troller General approved the bill
most heartily. He then took up
the discussion of the cotton tare bill
which will save the farmers of
South Carolina sl,sOO,OOO annually.
The bill has stood the test of the
state courts and has been carried to
the United States supreme court by
the mills and exporters. The Ear
mers Union of South Carolina APP
proved of the cotton tare bill when
he introduced it and sent one of
their representatives to Columbia
to work for its passage. Mr.. Wells
also referred to the bill providing
for public cotton weigher, the pas
sage of which he secured.
The speaker next took up the
question of good roads. 1t is i'm
possible to have better roads with
out more funds, and Mr.. Wells fa-
vors the raising of more funds by a
levy upon all property. Heretofore
the farmers only have been paying
commutation tax. He would not
abolish the commutation tax but
would make small reducti on
if levy is added, SO as not to make
the burden fall doubly heavy on the
country people. He introduced a
bill providing for half mill levy
upon al property for road purposes.
Mr.. Wells does not believe any one
class should build the roads but
that all classes should bear the tax
burden equally. The small increase
of the levy will not be felt by the
tax payers. 1t will force the fel-
low who has not been paying any
tax to pay his share.
Mr.. Jerome H, Courtney.
The last speaker of the day was
Mr.. Jerome II. Courtney. who be-
gan by saying he has no record ex-
cept that of a quiet, peaceful citi-
zen. He has spent his time close at
home, and for that reason he is
somewhat of a stranger, but; said
he: Il know you will not hold that
against me"
Mr.. Courtney said, Education is