The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-02-18
TOO MUCH POLITICS
AYERS COL. KOHN
Has lntcrfcred with Constructive Leg
islation. Too Many Tor Higher Jobs


Columbia, Feb. 15.-There is one
cvcrshadowing distinction that be-
longs 10 the legislative session Of 1914
good feeling. There have been no
clashes, no ill-tcmpcr, no long drawn
ilibustcrS, with politics as the key
stone Has there been politics in the
session? or course there has been,
and very much Of it. 1t has been the
dead-weight Of legislation. The poll
tics has been passive, but it, could hc
seen under the surface or course, as
long as the people are hypnotiZcd with
the primary system conditions will
continue as at present The lcgisla-
turc is the kindergarten, so to speak,
Of men in public life. 1t is the hest
stepping stone, as experience has
shown
Majority are Candidates.
The vast majority Of members Of
both the House and Senate are either
candidates for reelection, for higher
Offices, but few elect to retire to p.lb-
lie life. There are on the noov cand-
dates running for Governor and Lien
tenant Governor and Congress, Judge
ships, all the way up or down the po.
ltical gamut. There is something
about the germ of politics that grows.
1t is a culture that is self-su ;tainiD,,
and Sclf-rcliant. No one has. ever
found serious fault with the idea OF
sclf-preservation being the first law
OF nature, and If it apply in ordinary
life, 1t is seven fold more so in po-
litical life. That is lafgely why SO
little real legislation will be under
taken-tax revision, road building,
and the like-there is a campaign
ahead next year.
More Light Needed.
If the people could only be thor
oughly informed on issues and ;he
reasons, there would be no rca, car
OF vote being wrong in 4 campaign.
The trouble is the average candidate
does not wish to assume the burden
OF overcoming prejudice or conduct
ing campaign Of education If a
candidate with personality can Only
make his constituency understand an
issue and that his ballot has been
honestly cast there is nothing to fear
only the trouble Of explaining.
Speaking of honesty it is a perfectly
safe proposition to record that the
Legislature OF South Carolina is hon
cHt-that is money or it's equivalent is
not even considered as II possibility
in influencing votes
No Corruption Fund.
There Is not, nor has there ever
been, corruption fund used-cer-
tainly not since 1876. and it is safe
statement that no attempt has been
made to corrupt members in couple
OF generations. Such a thing as an
election of Senator or Judgcship be-
Ing bought Is undreamed Of in this
State In this day and time, and the
same applies to legislation. Member
ship In the general assembly means
honor, entry in the political kinder
garten preliminary to other ambitions,
hard public service and after all little
thanks. AS a type the legislators Of
South Carolina are high class, con-
scientious men who like the game OF
politics.
Adjournment Uncertain.
When will the general assembly ad-
journ? That Is an uncertainty. BY all
the rules Of the game, by Legislative
precedent, by the desire Of the vast
majority of the members, the law
makers will be vending their way
homcward next Saturday, the 21st-
that Is the fortieth day. The hitch is
on the appropriation bill. If it is got
ten to the Senate by Tuesday after
noon and Is given it's initial reading in
the Senate that day the assembly can
adjourn Saturday; that is If the Sen
ate wants to do SO. The talk Is that
the Senate Is disposed to take its time
on the appropriation and other bills
and not rush it's work and that the
will not be. reached un-
til some time in the week beginning
the 23d. Even then there is no hope
OF finishing all the work that is be-
fore the general assembly. There will
be hundreds Of measures left on the
Calendar--put there for record or
to let people think about the ideas