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

SuttcS, DetteT SCHOOL DullulnSS dlu
special lcvies; the urgent demand Of
good roads. as necessity In rural
and community life, and many other
necessary and helpful agencies. con-
tribute to an increased expense in the
operation Of the government. These
matters must be recognized by all. ex-
cept tho blatant demagogue. in con-
sidering this question. While do not
advocate any policy which would i'm
pair the usefulness Of any depart
ment Of the government. or agency.
which l believe essential to the real
progress and happiness of the people,
do favor a policy which will de-
mand the most rigid economy and
business-like methods in every depart
mcnt.
Property Assessment.
Any system which permits lands
differing as much In value as 100 per
cent to be assessed at the same value
in different parts OF tho state. or
personally similar In value to be as
sessed at valuation differing as much
as 100 per cent, IL radically wrong.
Yet, such Is the possibility and the
operation of our system today. The
result Is that citizens and property
owners. enjoying tho same rights and
privileges. and entitled to tho same
protection under the government. are
bearing a grossly unequal burden to-
ward its support. The trouble to q
largo extent, lies In certain provisions
OF the State constitution. which shall
endoavor to discuss on the campaign.
as the space here allowed will not
permit 1t. AS a legislator I have fav-
ored policy which provided for the
appointment OF commission, so con.
stituted as to insure an intelligent and
thorough investigation of tho whole
subject. with the Wow Of securing
such information and data as would
constitute the basis for q moro reason
able and equitable system. / favor
that policy now.
Education.
OvorshadOwing all questions In
which our people should now be con-
cernod Is the great question Of educa-
tion. The conditions which justify
tho interpositiOn and aid OF the gov
ernment In the general education of
tho people arc being splcndidly vim
dicated in the general educational
awakening Of our people today. While
tho legislative department Of the
government has responded with COM
mendable generosity to the financial
needs and requirements Of an awak-
ened educational activity. there has
boon some Indifference exhibited to
the greatest efficiency of this aid,
manifested thus far in the absence
of any pronounced effort to create or
adopt modern. well sustained and
we'll balanced school plan or system
which shall actively embody many Of
those progressive ideas and policies
which have been demonstrated by ac-
tual tests and experience to be SO
helpful in promoting the cause Of
education. shall discuss some
phases Of this on the campaign more
fully. shall now, however, present
the following views:
i. As our entire public educational
system, consisting Of the university
college. for different kinds of train
Ing. high school, graded school and
common school, should represent q
graduation whereby advancement from
tho lower to the higher standard is
moro readily and benefcially attained,
30 should the law relating to such
recognize the general cooperative
purpose and the part which has been
assigned to each In tho general plan.
2. favor q liberal. not extrava~
giant. support of tho higher institu-
tions Of learning.
Q. I favor a policy which shall en-
courage the work of the high school
and especially tho establishment and
maintenance OF system of country
graded schools, which shall promote
term extension In our common
schools and encourage the building
OF convenient and sanitary school
buildings.
4. favor a continuance of the l.
mill tax for the benefit Of tho poor
common schools Of the state. such
tax to be distributed under suitable
statutory regulations. This Is the only
method whereby the marked diner
ences In tho resources Of the school
districts can he equalized and the
poor common schools aided.
6. favor the establishment of tex