Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-02

CneSIeT, Ihioo Iuehi Aiiu
Ewart, of Yorkville, secretary; David
THE FILBERT PICNIC.
There were between 1900 and 1,50C
people at Filbert yesterday on the oc-
casion of the annual Woodman pic
mic. It was a great, orderly York
county crowd from all walks and sta
tions, with farmers and mill workers
preponderating; but including many
ladies and children. While 1t was un-
derstood that candidates should be al
liberty to discuss any subject thai
they chose to discuss, politics came In
only incidentally. The speeches were
more educational than otherwise, and
devoid Of partizanship. Hon. ]. E.
Swearingen superintendent OF educa-
ton, Hon. Ira B. Jones, candidate fol
governor; Mr.. w. P. Pollock. candi-
date for congress-; F. H. Hyatt, prest.
dent of the South Carolina. Good
Roals association; John G. Richards
candidate for railroad commissioners
and j. Harry Foster, Esq, candidate
for solicitor, were the speakers and
all made addresses worthy Of the oc-
casion and worthy Of themselves
They were accorded fine attention
from probably 500 people and their
applause was quite generous. The
Yorkville cornet band provided the
music, and ]. Harry Foster. Esq, OF
Yorkyille, acted as master Of cere-
monies in behalf Of the Woodmen
camp. He apportioned out 40 min
utes of time to the gubernatorial can.
didates, 80 minutes to all others and
gave all to understand that they had
free license to discuss whatever they
liked. There were a great many
Blease men on the grounds, notwtth-
standing the fact that they had been
advised by telegram the day before
that the governor would not be there;
but the only indication Of partizan-
ship that was in evidence was one
"Hurrah for Blease." along with the
applause that went to Judge Jones at
the conclusion Of his excellent ad-
dress. There was no liquor In EVIL
dence, at least so far as the reporter
was able to see, and the general be-
havior was admirable. There were
plenty Of good things to eat, and the
people who had baskets extended
their hospitality to practically every
body. The first speaker introduced
was the state superintendent OF edu-
cation,
Hon. J. z. Swearingen.
Mr.. Swearingen began his remarks
by expressing his appreciation Of the
invitation Of the w. o. w. to visit Fill
bert on this occasion, and stated that
he would take 1t for granted that as
he was invited to be present by fra
ternal order that II was to be presum-
ed that he would talk about good citi-
zenship as represented by the Wood
men, and to get to good citizenship he
would talk about education. He then
began a discussion Of the educational
problems Of the day. He stated that
the average country school in South
Carolina ran for four months, but
this was practically a waste Of time
and money as 1t was but a beginning,
and the schools did not continue long
enough to be Of very great benefit.
Mr.. Swearingen said that there were
wo great issues before the people of
South Carolina-education and taxa
ton. The first Is represented by ev-
cry boy and girl. man and woman.
Taxation Is represented by all real es-
tate, railroads, mills, etc., but these
two issues were too big to discuss In
all their phases at a time like this.
He sees a new era in politics in Amer
lea and especially in the south. The
Democratic party has selected a
southern born man to lead the party
to victory this fall-a man who rep
resents the doctrines Of Jefferson; an
a college president from
and this pressaged better
systems. The speaker
said he did not make educational
speeches dealing with the ideals or
pleasures Of education. That every
educated man knows how to appre-
ciate the good things around him. AS
an officer Of the state 1t Is his duty to
come in close contact with the schools
and colleges, and he sees many things
that could be improved. He told Of
a meeting of Winthrop au-
thorities Wednesday night and among
other things they passed upon more
than 500 entrance examination papers
from young women Of the state who
want to secure the free scholarships
There were twenty-six such applica-
tions from York, for four vacancies
and regardless of the country and
graded schools and the high schools
Of the county, there were only two Of
the applicants who successfully
passed the prescribed examination.
The other two had to be selected from
young ladies who had spent q session
or more at Winthrop. The majority
Of the country schools run about four
some more and some less.
This must be changed to get the best
advantages. The farmers
need better education to enable them
to take advantage Of their opportuni-
ties; they need 1t in business and in
their social lives. Better schools will
to the solution Of the back
TO the farm" movement, by keeping
the boys and girls on the farm. In
the speaker complimented
York county on its progress in educa-
tional matters, its new school districts,
schools in the rural districts and es-
pecially complimented the efficient
and conscientious work Of Superin-
tendent Of Education Quinn. Mr..
Swearingen was literally applauded
as he sat down after thanking the au-
1ience for its attention.
At this point the chairman read let
ters from Hon. D. E. Finley. Hon. w.
J. Talbert, N. B. Dial, Esq. Senator
Tillman and Governor Blease, In which
each of them expressed appreciation
Of the invitations to come to Filbert
and giving various reasons for their
to attend.
The next speaker introduced was
Ira 3. Jones.
Judge Jones began his remarks by
stating that on account Of suffering
from hoarseness throughout the state
he had intended to take a
thorough rest at home during the in
.erim between the two ends of the
state speaking tour. But being invit-
I'd to Filbert, he could not forego the
pleasure Of coming to York and meet
ng her people again. He said he was
10 stranger in York, that he visited
his county frequently nearly quarter
If century ago when he was running
'or solicitor Of the Sixth circuit. But
he other fellow outran him in that
ace and he was now running again,
his time for governor.
The speaker complimented the eff
,ient work being done by Mr.. Swearin-
gen. and said that II he were elected
governor he would give his strongest
support to the common schools and the
colleges Of the state and he especially