The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-12-24
SIMMS SAYS HE is
FOR LOCAL OPTION

Makes Statement. All White Men
to Vote.
Columbia, Dec. 1S.-Mr. Charles
Carol Simms, Of Barnwell, a candi-
date for governor and close person
al and political friend Of Governor
Cole l.. Blease, favors local option
and opposes compulsory education
according to a statement which he is
sue6 today. Mr.. Sims has been in the
city OH business and while here ex-
pressed himself on several issues in
response to requests from newspaper
men.
Mr.. Simms is generally regarded as
the candidate Of the Blease faction for
governor and his views on primary
reform arc Of unusual interest. He
favors letting every white man vote
and opposes educational or property
qualifications being required for the
primary. He favors regulation of the
primary along proper lines and op-
poses fraud, repeating or illegal vot-
ing.
Mr.. Simms' position on these mat
ters is outlined in the following state
ment from him:
Mr.. Simms' Statement.
u am sorry to notice in the papers
that an effort will be made by the
legislature to pass State wide prohi-
bition at its coming session, ana that
the fight for compulsory education will
also be renewed
II had hoped that the State would
be free from the continual discussion
Of these two questions. The liquor
question seems to be better settled by
each county under the local option
provisions Of the present law and am
of the opinion that the more a county
Is permitted to exercise dominion ov-
er its own affairs, without interfer-
cncc on the part Of the State, the wei
fare and happiness of the people will
be increased. There is too much of
4 disposition on the part Of the State
to Capitalization and to exercise cx-
elusive jurisdiction over the rights
and liberties OF the people Of the sew
cral counties.
THE same disposition exists in Ma
tional Government with reference to
the rights Of tho States, and however
much a man may feel towards the old
doctrine Of State rights, 1t appears as
soon as he becomes a Congressman or
United States Senator or otherwise
becomes an intergrai part Of the Fed
cral Government, that he forgcts prin-
ciplcs of states rights and gladly us
es his influence in favor Of a grasp Of
the Federal Government upon all State
matters. | aim just as much opposed
to this Capitalization in the State gov
ernmcnt as against the individual
rights Of each county as am in Ma
tional government in an aggression
upon the rights and sovereignty Of the
States.
ut would be better, therefore, in MY
opinion. to let each county be permit
ted to regulate the liquor traffic as the
majority of the people OF the county
may see fit, and the present local op-
tion law is the best solution now in
sight
81 am opposed to compulsory cduca-
ton. If the State can take charge Of
the child for the child's good 1t can
also assume charge Of the child for
the child's evil, and If the State is to
supcrene between the parents and
the child, that the Child might Nbe ed
ucated as the State might determine,
then some regulation would be COM
PEELED to be had for the support of the
child whilst under the control of the
State. The responsibility between the
parent and the child Is one cast upon
the parent by the Lord and no par
cnt should be permitted to cast off the
responsibility and place the same up
on the State. If the compulsory edu-
cation law should prevail, then under
present educational conditions the ne
groes would come under the same pro-
visions as the white with the result
Of exceedingly high education, but an
aggravation of the labor problem and
an end Of agricultural pursuits. If 1t
Is true that the negro is being cducat-
ed In larger numbers than the whites
under tf present law, it is hard to
conceive how the compulsory cduca-
tion would relieve the situation. II it
be admitted that both races would be
equally educated, condition would