The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-19


cation, G. y. Smith. candidate for lieu
tenant governor, We're all present.
but as they had no opposition they
would not make speeches.
Mr.. McLaurin stated that he also
knew something about book-keeping
as well rs his friend, Mr.. Carter. He
thought himself competent TO fill the
position and asked for the suffrage
OF the voters of the county. He had
had much public ana private exper-
ience, although he was not a public
speaker He closed hy declaring his
belief that he would he elected.
James Canslcr of Tirzah, a candi-
date for railroad commissioner. came
next lie went over the same ground
as he did in his race two years ago.
declaring his belief in the supervision
I'll the railroad. he believed in a nat
IL" cent rate, and stood for the best
service To the public. He had receiv-
ed more votes in the primary at the
last election than any other man in
south Carolina who had not beer.
elected. Hampton had been elected in
TIE second primary because Of the
prestige Of the name. He had made
an efficient superintendent of educa-
llon in his home county and he would
a,So make an efficient railroad COM
missioner He did not wage war on
newspapers, although many harsh
and untrue things had been said about
him. He ran for the office on his
meiits. His remarks were well -.
ceived and reference to Mr.. r. l.
Manning was received with applause.
John G. Richards candidate for re-
election as railroad commissioner,
came before the voters of the coun-
ty for the second time seeking cleo
tion to a public Office. He had serv-
ed his county and the public for
many years and sought to serve the
public Yet further. He believed that
a public office was public trust and
would ever hold it so, if elected. lie
considered himself competent to fill
the position to which he had been ap-
pointed by Governor Ansel and he
hoped they would vindicate the an
pointment made by Governor Ansel at
the primaries in August. He then
outlined his platform. He had done
what he could to obtain a lower and
standard freight rate, a reduction
from 10 to a mile break and a
reduction in express charges from a
twenty-five cent rate to a twenty cent
rate on packages.
He believed that the railroad should
carry express in their own right
which would mean big saving to the
people. The commission had ordered
all old wooden bridges torn down and
concrete and iron bridges installed in
their places. The last general as
sembly had created an office for a man
to travel over and inspect the railroads
constantly but this office had been
temporarily done away with because
of the fact that the appropriation was
vetoed. He believed in fiat two cent
rate If the railroad would not accept
mileage. He asked the people for
support and promised to give them
good service if he were elected.
Col. j. Fl. Wharton Of Laurens
county was the next speaker He stat
ed that 1t was n pleasure to appear
before the people here and he asked
them to give him their continued sup
port. lie too had been in public
life for many years and knew a great
deal about railroads. He had ALWAYS
done good service when he was on
the commission and would continue to
do so. if elected this time.
He referred To Mr.. Richards ap-
pointment by Gov. Ansel and did not
think that this appointment should
be the cause of the people voting
for Richards He then outlined his
platform, saying that the railroad
commission should see that the pres
cnt law was enforced and. if new laws
We're needed, the commission should
petition the legislature to have them
passed. He was in favor Of q peace
able campaign and one without dirt
singing.