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

Where Mr.. Richards Stands.
The Hon. ]. G. Richards, of Liberty
Hill. was reared on the farm, and has
been a farmer all his life. For twelve
years q member Of the South Carolina
legislature from Kershaw county.
For six years floor leader OF the
house of representatives.
For four years a member of the
board Of trustees of Clemson College.
Has served four years as member OF
the South Carolina Railroad Commits.
sion and is now chairman Of that
commission.
His Platform.
To the Democracy Of South Carolina:
1t Is impossible, of course, at this
stage. to give my platform in its en-.
tirety. but / desire to state in une-
quivocal terms what my position is
upon some Of the more important
questions that are of vital interest
to the people of the State.
My position upon the educational
question Is known wherever l am
known, and l shall continue to ad-
vocae equitable support for our
higher educational institutions.
Our public school system is the
vitalizing force that supplies our COL
leges and the main foundation of our
republican institutions. l shall advo-
cate the fullest and most unstinted
support of our common school sys-
tenn, with particular attention to the
development Of our rural schools and
education. We are now making great
improvements along educational lines,
but this question Is Of transccndant
importance and demands our very
bes: effort. 1 am in favor Of enlarg-
ing our free school system so that It
will offer to every white child in
South Carolina q good common school
education.
l am in favor of erecting conven-
lent and comfortable school buildings
and furnishing all necessary text
books free of cost.
/ am in favor Of paying our teach
ers, both men and women. salaries
commensurate with the dignity and
Importance of their positions.
l have always opposed compulsory
school attendance and shall continue
to 10 so. We should provide every
necessary facility and enlarge upon
our impelling system, rather than re-
sort to compulsion. Such legislation
is fundamentally wrong; besides it is
ineXpedient and unnecessary and
therefore unwise.
For Roads.
The building Of good and perma-
nent highways will add more to the
value of our State than any other
public utility.
The effect of good roads through
out the State would be felt in every
walk of life. but such improvements
would be q special blessing and u
great economy to those Of our peo-
pie who live in the country districts.
/ shall stand for the permanent
Improvement Of our highways. such
improvement being made under To-
cal self-government in the various
counties.
Farming Is the chief and greatest
OF ell our industries; it Is the bed
rock foundation of our economic life
I shall stand for legislative and ad-
ministrative policy that will give Wig.
orous support to all agencies which
make for the full development Of our
agricultural interest, and for a pol.
Icy that shall foster all other business
interests, and shall tend to induce
capital to come into the State for the
purpose Of developing to the fullest
extent our splendid resources.
Au tuO Which, 81
for governor In 1910 advocated
Statewide prohibition. am still &
prohibitionist by practice and from
principle. In my opening speech a,
Sumter, and in many places through.
out our State while discussing the
whiskey question and submitting m!
opinion as to its solution | used this
languages:
This question Is an issue before
our people, their voices should be
supreme. / .clic.. =. 'Na r'e Of the
people, ana Whtr ,n,v haze spoken
upon glvcn quy.u.n, - is treach.
cry uron tir part 10. ,ho,r represen.
tatives no, 80 he,d thel 0til as ex.
pressed q thc u,I.t nox.
The people OF south & lima hav.
express ,holr WIN al t0y ballot box
| option.