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

Il. j. Browning Presents Views.
In response to your invitation of
some days ago, I herewith present
my views as 10 the most important
issues that now demand solution by
our people. These issues are new;
our State has stood still along many
lines, while other States have made
great progress, and are reaping won-
derful benefits therefrom. 1 would
put South Caolina in step with these
enlightened ideas along some legisla-
tive lines. Her past history shows
that she was a leader on the road of
progress and honor; the same blood
is here today and she can again oc-
cupy her old position if she will.
The more important principles
shall advocate are as follows:
First: I believe in honest elec.
tions in which every white Democrat
may vote one time at each election
and no more. What we must do is
to preserve the high character Of
our citizenship. A foundation polluted
at it's head. is corrupt throughout.
The foundations of our government
are laid in the honesty, patriotism
and high character of our people:
allow these to be destroyed and our
government inevitably becomes cor.
rupt.
Second: The gross Irregularities
in the funds available for the educa-
ton Of our children. should be RENE.
died. This can be partially accom-
plished by making the three-mill tax
Ia State, and not a county tax. All
our children are the children of the
State, and not Of one particular
county; therefore it is the duty Of
the State to give all the opportunity
Of obtaining at least common
school education. A far better plan,
| however, would be to abolish the
three-mill tax and let the constitu.
tion declare that the general assem-
bly, shall annually provide sufficient
funds to run eacl; school q specific
number of days. This would not in
any way affect the poll or the dog
tax, or any special levies made by
individual school districts. To show
some Of these irregularities, a negro
child in one county receives more for
| it's education than a white child re-
ceives in eight OF the other counties
Of the State and practically as
much as the white children of five
other counties receive. OF course
| this would not entirely equalize all
| school terms but either Of these
plans would forever do away with
the 60, 80 and 100 day schools. The
latter plan would be greatly superior
to the first, but even the first would
be great improvement on the pres
ent arrangement.
Third: Our system is 30 years
behind the times. and to meet the
| demands Of modern thought and an
enlightened civilization will have to
| be made over almost entirely. We
will have to repeal that provision Of
our constitution which declares that
all property shall be taxed in propOr-
ton to its value.
The personal property tax is tho
! most unjust and the hardest to COL
lect of all taxes. No state should
tax a citizens household and kitchen
furniture, mechanics tools or
farmers implements Of agriculture.
In fact, l take the position that this
personal property AK should be done
away with for State purposes. In
it's stead let us substitute a grad
uated income tax, somewhat as fol-.
lows: Allow each individual so
much for his own support, so much
for his wife, and so much for each
dependent child. All income over
this exemption. up to $1,000. to pay
a very moderate tax OF per cent.
the next $4,000 to pay / l-2 per cent,
the next $6.500 TO pay per cent, all
above $4,000 to pay 6 per cent: the
greater the income, the higher the
rate. / shall advocate an inheritance
tax along the same lines.
These are both just taxes: the
| need OF good government and the
,reater protection does than man re-