The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-08-19

nothing, but it is clear statement o
specific policies, stated in: plain Ian
guage and assure you it will be pu
into force in this State If you elect m,
your next Governor. Aside from th'
promise to enforce the laws to thu
very best Of my. ability If elected,
am advocating reforms which arr
l greatly needed in our State. Among
the important principles which I ad
vocate are a thorough reform Of oul
| tax system-abolishing the persona
property tax and substituting for Il
8 modern income and. progressive
inheritance tax; and the improve
lment and equalization. Of the educa
tional opportunities in the various
counties. -:
Before taking up a discussion o1
these policies, feel that should talh
to you about an issue which has been
forced into this campaign and which
to my mind, overshadows all other Is
sues now. It is-are you going to the
polls on the 25th of August and vote
for your personal choice for Governor
the man whom YOU think will bring
the most good to our State, or are
you going to allow a political boss
who is at the head of a political ma
chine to dictate to you as to how you
are to cast your ballot? Are you. 60
| ing to vote as slave or are you 60,
ling to vote as a free-man?>
stated long before the campaign
iopened that would not become the
candidate OF any faction, clique, or
coterie, of men. I have fought good
fight and kept my word. now stand
tunencumbered by any promises to
any class-the promises make are
| to the whole people. If you do not
| telect me will not complain, but II
you do elect me I will render my very
best services to the up-building Of the
whole State. :
l. I told you in the beginning that
was in favor of a thorough reform OF
our tax system. Our personal proper
| ty tax should be abolished because it
is an unjust burden on those whose
only possession is personal property.
The laborer cannot hide his house
hold goods and kitchen furniture,
neither, can the farmer hide his work
stock, therefore they are compelled
to pay tax on their personal prop
erty.. The rich man, the bulk Of whose
wealth Is in stocks, bonds and other
intangible securities escapes taxa
ton on his personal property because
it is hidden in the safety deposit boxes
of the banks; hence, under this tax,
the less, man has the more he pays.
For this unjust tax should be- substi-
tuted a modern income tax, so that
the rich man, no matter in what form
his property may: be: will bear his just
share of the burden Of the government
In addition we should have a pro-
gressive inheritance tax.
I wish I had time to explain fully
my rural credit plan and also my
plan Of equalization of educational
opportunities. We have today more
than 10000 white tenant farmers ir
this State. Each would be more val
liable asset to the community did he
own his home. Let the State lend the
money for the purchase Of these
homes at low rate Of interest for
say 20 years. This can be done by the
State selling bonds based on the real
estate purchased by the tenant"
Mr. C. A. Smith.
Mr.. Smith said In part: I'm. begin
ming my remarks I feel that first ]
must thank you heartily for the splen-
did vote you gave me four years ago
when I came asking that you elect me
Lieutenant Governor.
"I am asking that you vote for me,
but first want you to inquire into
my record and satisfy yourselves as
to my fitness. If you do not know me
I invite you to ask any man who does,
ask your own State Senator. I am
making this race on my record as a
private citizen, as a public servant
and on my platform. I am not the can
didate of the newspapers, of the ELM
ination Conference, of any political
faction, or any group or set Of men.
without making an attack on any
Of my opponents appeal to you as
thinking men, giving you my platform
and ask you If 1t does not come near
y