The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-29
EXPLAINING PROF. CLINKsCALEs


last issue undertook the task of fur
ther explaining the position Of Prof.
Ciinkscales In reference to his plan
Of Statewide compulsory education
and other matters. That the Times
and Democrat recognizes that an ex-
PLANTATION and elucidaticn Of Prof
Ciinkscales' platform is necessary Is
indicated by the article to which ref
erence La had. which Is reproduced In
fun as follows:
Last Saturday we objected to the
charge of another newspaper tina,
Prof. Ciinkscales was hostile to the
Interests Of the farmer. and we notice
that the editor In question does not
try to uphold his contention. Instead
he takes UP new ground for opposing
that gentleman for the governors Of
hcc. and. as their article is In reply to
enc OF our own. we reprint 1t In an
ether column.
I'VE did not intend to start an argu-
rncnt as to the fitness Of q candidate
for the governors position, nor do we
wish any one to think we are attempt
ing to say how the people Of this
county should vote. As we have stat
ID before. there are so many good
men In tho race that we have abso-
iutcly no fear whatever OF not getting
n good governor for the next feur
Years. A man should exercise his own.
ho'ce In voting for the next exccu-
we. and cast his ballot according 20
Is own honest conviction. W
The able editor of the Sumter
Tatehman and Southron thinks that
Professor Clinkscales "is blinded TO
practical and essential considerations
and he sees only the consummation of
all cur hopes" without giving
Thought to- the foundations neces-
sary." We can hardly believe, how
ever. that Prof. Clinkscales with all
his experience In teaching and educa-
tional work Is not thoroughly aware
Of the foundations necessary. He Is
aware Of the present lack Of them,
and that Is why he pushes the fight
for Statewide education-if school
trustees are not shown that more
building and equipment are necessary
by the actual presence Of scholars
they will not erect more buildings
He holds up to the people the con-
summation Of all our hopes SO as to
create that enthusiasm and personal
support which Is necessary for the
proper enforcement Of the law and to
derive the benefits 1t purposes. He
doesn't believe that the enactment of
a single law will he the cure-all for
all our state ills. but only that 1t will
be the start
Exception Is taken because he does
not say exactly how the law must be
enforced. That's not his business,
and we think he is right In not dis
cussing details. The governor should
point out the important trend Of the
legislation. and the legislature should
make II a law suitable to the various
needs OF the State. with which that
numerous body can be better ac-
quaintcd than any one man.
The fact that exponents Of State
wide compulsory education favor local
option on the dispensary is no argu-
mcnt against the farmer. Must every
problem he treated to local option
IL 80. each county should make it,
laws entire. each county elect its own
chief magistrate. each county do as Il
plcases. There are few questions
which should be submitted to ioca'
option. In our opinion. and among
rot agree that compulsory education
10 another.
There are those that disagree with
us, and that Is the issue between thos,
who favor Statewide and county op
tlon compulsory education. Merely {
matter OF opinion as to- expediercy
and of results to be obtained"
The Times and Democrat IL alto
gcther mistaken ~ The assumption
that we acquicsce In or admit the cor
rcctness OF the charge .hat II mad
originally that We made an unfair an,
unjustihable criticism of Prof. Clink
scales when we commented OH his at
titude respecting the dck eradicatio,
appropriation. We based our criti
cism upon the exact words Of the re-
ports OF his remarks Mt several of tn
campaign meetings.. lie was quoted a