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

His slogan is: Every child q chance.
| L. j. Browning Presents Views.
In response to your invitation of
some days ago. herewith present
my views as to 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. would
put South Caolina in step with these
enlightened ideas along some legisla-
tive lines. Her past history shows
that she was leader on the road Of
progress and honor; the same blood
is here today, and she can again oc-
cupy her old " sition if she will.
The more ,nportant 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: ne gross Irregularities
in the funds available for the educa-
tion Of our children. should be reme-
died. This can be partially accom-
lplished by making the three-mill tax
la 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 a 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 each 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
isome 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 wocld be greatly superior
to the first. but even the first would
be a great improvement on the pres
ent arrangement.
Third: Our system is so 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
lall property shall be taxed in propor-
ton to its value.
I The personal property tax is tho
most unjust and the hardest to col
lect of all taxes. No state should
tax citizens household and kitchen
furniture, a mechanics tools or
farmers implements Of agriculture.
In fact, l take the position that this
personal property tax should be done
away with for State purposes. In
it's stead let us substitute grad
! uateL 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 moderat tax OF 1 YER cent.
the next $4,000 30 pay 1 l-2 per cent.
the next $6,50O 30 pay per cent, all
above $4,000 to pay per cent; the
Igreater the income, the higher the
rate. shall advocate an inheritance
! tax along the same lines.
I These are both just taxes: the
| greater the income, the greater the
need Of good government and the
| .reater protection does than man re-