Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-14
RICHARDS TO THE People
Outlines His Views on Public QueS-
tiODS.
IS AGAINST COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Does Not Believe in Restricting the
Primary-Stands for Economy in
the Conduct of the Government.

Hon. John G. Richards has an
nounced the platform on which he
! proposes to run for governor, as fol-
lows:
To the Democracy of South Carolina:
| In becoming a candidate for gov
ernor l DO so with the full realiza-
uon Of the responsibility which l as
sumo, and in submitting my platform
tor your consideration, 1 also cheer
fully offer my past record, both pub
lie and private.
| 1t Is impossible, of course, at this
stage, to give my platform in its en-
tirety, but J. 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 advo-
cate equitable support for our higher
educational institutions.
Our public school system Is the vi
talizing force that supplies our col
leges and the main foundation Of our
republican institutions. shall advo-
cate the fullest and most unstinted
support for 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 transcendant
importance and demands our very
best effort. ] am in favor of enlarg-
| ing our free school system so that 1t
will offer to every white child in South
Carolina a good, common school edu-
cation.
am in favor of erecting convenient
and comfortable school buildings and
furnishing all necessary text books
free OF cost.
| 1 am in favor Of paying our teach
ers, both men and women, salaries
commensurate with the dignity and
importance Of their positions.
| have always opposed compulsory
school attendance and shall continue
to do 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 1t 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 property and the wealth
of our state than any other public
utility.
| The effect Of good roads throughout
the state would be felt in every walk
of lite, but such improvements would
be an especial blessing and great
economy to those of our people who
| live in the country districts.
| l shall stand for the permanent i'm
provement Of our highways, such i'm
provernent being made under local
Iself-gCVernment in the various coun-
ties.
Farming is the chief and greatest of
all our industries; in fact, 1t Is the
bedrock foundation Of our economic
| life. l shall stand for a legislative
and administrative policy that will
give vigorous support to all agencies
which make for the full development
Of our agricultural interests, and for
a policy that shall foster all other
business interests, and that shall tend
to induce capital to come into the
state for the purpose OF developing to
the fullest extent our splendid natu-
raj resources.
| In the campaign which l made for
governor in 1910 l advocated state
wide prohibition. l am still a prohi-
bitionist by practice and from princi-
pie. In my opening speech at SUM-
ter, and in many places throughout
the state, while discussing the whisky
| question and submitting my opinion
as to it's solution, used this language:
This question is an issue before our
people, their voices should be su-
! preme. 1 believe in the rule OF the
people, and when they have spoken
upon Il given question, 1t Is treachery
upon the part of their representatives
not to heed their will as expressed at
the ballot box"
The people Of South Carolina have
expressed their will at the ballot box
and have declared for local county
option.
| believe in trusting the people.
Their will when expressed Is supreme
Therefore l shall not oppose local op-
ton but will favor the principle or
allowing the various counties to de-
| termine this question as seems proper
| to them, with, Of course, strict OBJ
servance Of constitutional limitations.
Opposed to Restrictions.
l am in favor Of honest elections
and a strict enforcement Of our laws
against violators of the same, but
shall oppose any legislation either by
the Democratic party or by the Leg
lature that will deprive the humblest
white Democrat of his right to vote.
| During the twelve years that 1 was
member of our legislature, l con-
tended and voted for biennial sessions.
II held then and hold now that annual
sessions are not only unnecessary, but
they are positive injury to the best
| interests of the state, therefore, l
stand for biennial sessions OF our leg
| islature.
| l am in favor Of a 2-cent fiat rate
| for passenger travel over the three
trunk line railroads Of this state and
| their branch lines, and 1-2-cent
rate for the Independent short lines.
| A well organized, well disciplined
state militia is essential for the pro-
lection Of the state and the proper en-
forcement of her laws; therefore, l
favor a sufficient appropriation by the
| state for the proper maintenance Of its
| citizen -soldiery.
| l shall advocate, as l always have,
liberal support for our ex-Confeder-
ate soldiers.
1 think the general principle of
working convicts upon the highways
Of the county in which they are con-
victed is a wise one and therefore IA
vor it, but l am unalterably opposed
to working white and negro convicts
together or forcing terms OF social
| equality in the camp or stockade.
| / shall stand for a strict enforce
ment of the law with fairness to all
our people and without partiality to
any l believe. however, that justice
should be tempered with mercy.
Economy One Plank.
shall stand for an economical ad-
ministration of our state government,
| with, of course, a proper regard for
the protection and development of the
various interests Of the state.
A reckless expenditure of the public
funds is a crime, and 1 shall oppose
| all extravagant appropriations for
whatever purpose they may be made
| The people of this state are already
too heavily burdened by taxation and
| it shall be my purpose not only to
prevent an increase Of that burden,
but to reduce it.
l shall advocate a complete revision
| and readjustment Of the tax laws of
the state and the adoption of sys-
| tenn Of assessment that will make all
property bear it's honest and just pro-
portion of the burden Of taxation. A
system of taxation can not be just that
does rot reach every man Of property
equitaby.
/ believe in keeping separate the
three coordinate branches of the gov
ernment: they are GOd-Ordained and