The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-20
What Mr.. Sims Advocates.

WHAT MT. SlnlS AUYOC0tcS.
The following platform speech is
that Of Mr.. Charles Carroll Simms,
a lawyer OF Barnwell.
i have not published any platform
in my candidacy for governor, as
am not much given to professions,
and recognize that at best the gOver-
nors office has but little power be-
yond the individuality Of tho incum-
bent and his ability to promote and
restrict legislation to the best interests
Of the public by moral influence and
the peoples confidence in him. am
impressed with the thought. express
ed by an eminent statesman that,
irresponsible promise and respon-
sible performance have different ef-
feet"
In advance Of the last session Of
tho legislature. gave my views up
on three questions at that time sup
posed to be more or less important,
but the legislature seems to have dis
regarded these questions, or at least
no action was taken with reference to
them. These questions were con-
pulsory education, restriction of the
primary and local option. AS / then
said. am in favor of the best and
fullest education Of our children from
the common school to the college and
university. but / believe that moro
consideration should be given to the
development. of the country and COM
mon schools, and the appropriation
should be more literally distributed
amongst these schools, which furnish
the foundation of the educational
life Of the people. l am, however, Op-
posed to any compulsory education as
depriving the parent of his natural
control of and responsibility Of his
child. I am opposed to any man con-
victed OF a disqualifying crime to
vote In the primary and likewise op.
posed to any man voting more than
once, but beyond this / am opposed
to any restrictions Of the primary, rs
not being in contemplation Of the
farmers of the system who intended
that greater freedom should be per.
.mitted among ourselves in the nomi-
nation of officers than in the gener-
al election, where we have to meet
the antagOnisms of the other party.
i am in favor of each county con-
trolling its own affairs and to so ad-
minister the same as may be for the
best interests Of the said county. in
sofar however, as such local option
does not conflict with the general
law. or interfere with the rights of
other counties.
i regard these views as fundamen-
tally correct I'm principle and what
ever may be the idea of some to the
contrary. as a matter Of eXpediency,
have not as yet become convert to
the doctrine that the end justiiics
the means"
/ am opposed to 40 much legsla-
ton. There are too many laws now
upon the statute books. The effort
to control every human condition by
legislation is becoming abominable. /
believe i'm the axiom, THAT the best
governed people are the least govern
Cd" l shall therefore use my intiu-
ence to the accomplishment OF fewer
laws and the enforcement OF laws
we now have. i shall especially en-
deavOr to promote and protect tho in
terests OF the farmer. for upon his
success and happiness depends the
prosperity of every other class of pco-
pie. from the wealthiest and greatest
to the poorest and humblest. They
are sometimes not treated with re-
spect or consideration and yet the
world would starve I'm the midst Of it's
wealth were ii not for the farmer.
oHaii also use my influence In the
earnest purpose Of bcncfiting the cot
ton mill villages for az the farmer
furnishes the food and the cotton, so
the cotton mill people furnish the
cloths for us all. If therefore, these
two occupations around which all
others rcvolve arc properly safe
guarded and protected and fostcrcd,
and those engaged i'm them made
happy and prosperous. then indeed
will all the world be I'm like condition
Of health. happiness and prosperity.
am opposed to- the levy of any more
taxes than absolutely necessary for
the expenses of the government, as
taxes press most heavily upon the
poor, who are least able To pay them.
William 4. Irby's Platform.
The speech and platform OF Will