The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1914-04-01
M'LAURIN GIVES
HIS PLATFORM
Views Of Candidate for Governor. Sees
Five Issues.
CThe Columbia State.)

(The Columbia State.)
The State has received from John
L. McLaurin, candidate for governor,
his platform, which Is as follows:
TO tho People: After the adjourn
ment Of the general assembly, | an
nounccd myself as candidate for
governor.
] take it. that the leading issues
In the coming campaign will be, viz:
], Qualifying suffrage in the pri-
mary.
2. Compulsory school laws.
3. The Fortner bill.
4. The warehouse bill.
S. Bleaseism (socalled).
On most Of these issues made up
my mind after careful thought when
1t seemed quite likely that would
be candidate for public office.
am no trimmer and am ready to take
all uneqnivocal stand on the issues.
l have no illusions as to public life
and the burden of campaign in the
torrid summer heat would deter me,
If did not feel that I could render
South Carolina valuable service in the
governors Office. If the people think
so, they will put me there, and if they
do not | have discharged what I feel
to be duty ] owe myself and the
friends who have so persistently urged
me forward.
My record in the legislature is
against the compulsory education
measure, known as the Lawson-Mc-
Gravy bill. | am not opposed to it on
principle, and the time may come in
South Carolina when policy Of COM
pulsory education is proper, but it is
not now The funds available for
common school purposes are not suni-
cicnt to properly equip and maintain
schools in existence. AS rule they
now have more scholars than can be
ccommodatcd. 1t seems to me that
we had first best take care Of these
schools and the pupils who appear
voluntarily, before beating the high
ways and hedges to bring in more.
The right to take one mans money to
educate another mans child is based
on the necessity Of having an intel
ligcnt electorate to maintain civilized
government II this be true the
common schools are for the many, the
colleges for the few. 7 think we
have fostercd higher education OF the
expense OF the common schools. am
in favor Of maintaining the colleges,
but building more school houses be-
fore charging our present state col
leges.
In 1890, our common school system
was very poor as compared with what
we now have. If I were to venture a
criticism, 1t would be that we need
moro teachers who really teach.
School Is in session from o'clock
until 2:30 o'clock hearing rccitations;
then the children go home to be
taught If the parents are ignorant,
those children have no teacher. A
teachers compulsory education law
would greatly advance the cause.
The Primary.
I am not in favor Of restricting the
right to vote in the primary by ap-
plying the qualifications laid down in
the constitution for the general cleo
ton. With a few amendments the
present rules, If fairly and honestly
administered, are sufficient.
am satisfied that the last primary
was without fraud to any consider
able extent Mere Irregularities do
not constitute fraud. The greatest evil
In the conduct OF the primary arises
from the use Of money In buying votes
If a man with money is without moral
scruple, no statutory enactment can
prevent It's use where there is a pur-
chasable vote. The intelligent man
with money who tempts weakness and
cupidity is the greater criminal Of the
two and l have not heard Of any one
being punished yet for the mcanest Of
all election frauds.
The Fortner bill passed the house
and came to the senate. favor the
passage Of this bill as amended by
Senator Clifton, and II elected gov
ernor will recommend It's enactment
into law.
Cotton Marketing.
My views on the state warehouse
proposition are we'll known and can