The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-06-23
Bob" Cooper Says He
Has a Right 20 R-s1
Educational Progress One of the Main FL1s in His Plo-
form-Says He Entered the Race of His DUN Voi-
tion-Stands on His Fitness for Job.

tN-. Chairman ard Fellow Citizens:
Tvo years ago, l was candidate
in the Democratic primary for COVER
ncq. Of South Carolina, and while de-
feated. received most flattering
vote wish to take this opportun-
itv Of expressing to the people OF the
State nv sincere appreciation Of their
suaport two years ago. | am glad to
lie in a State where the humDlest
citizen may aspire to the highest OF
fee. | believe with all the sincerity
of nv nature, in Republican form
OF government. | believe in the rlSht
of the pople Of this State to select
their public servants. | know OF no
reason why l should apologize to any
one for being a candidate again this
year. The constitution Of the State
fixes the term Of the governor S OIL
fee and certainly no one can deny
me, or any other Democrat, the rlSht
to offer his services for this or any
other office. l trust that am not
prompted by improper motives. 1t IS
at least a worthy ambition for any
one to aspire to the high Office OF
governor, if he does so with a SIN
cere and honest desire to be OF SER
vice to his native State. l Deie'e
that I appreciate also the importance
of this Office, and the responsibilities
involved. .
The governor of the State, by our
constitution, is given power to grant
reprieves, combinations and pardons
except in cases of Impeachment, un-
der such restrictions as he shall deem
nroner. It is also made his duty to
give to the general assembly ln1or-
nation of the condition of the State
and recommend for its consideration
such measures as he shall deem nee
essarv and expedient. In him, is vest
ed the supreme executive authority.
IN stating my position two years
ago, I stated that there were three
essential qualifications to be conslo-
cred in reference to every candldate
for oublic Office: 1st-1s he comDe-
tent? 2nd-Is he worthy? and 5ro-
Will he be faithful? 1t is 10y these
three standards that I would he mea-
sured, and l trust that during the
carpaign upon which We enter today,
it will be the controlling purpose OF
each and every candidate to he meas
ured solely upon the basis OF his nj
ness for public service. 1t is not my
,nnrDose or desire to undertake to
show the unftness of any man. oe-
lieve in a campaign free from per
sonalities. one in which the discus
sion before the public shall have rel
erence to questions of vital lmpor-
tance to the people of this State.
The most important question before
the people of this State today, ana
the one which must continue to De Oh
most importance if we are to go tor
ward in our material development, IS
the matter of providing adequate edu-
cational facilities. l name THIS as
most important because in a proper
solution of this will be found the So
luton of all other troubles. BY pro-
vidiog adequate education, we IN
crease the production Of labor ana
soil. and We provide a safe guard
against lawlessness. BY a proper
education Of the people, we settle the
matter of social and moral reform.
beiieye it to be the duty Of the state
of South arolina to make provision
for the Development of our eouca-
fional system until the high schools
which are now being established IN
every nook and corner OF the STATE
shall furnish an education equlVa-
lent to what is now being provided IN
the first two years of college WORK.
This is of tremendous Importance
for the reason that ninety per cent. OF
the white children of South Caroilna
will receive all the education Wnlcn
they can ever have in the school near
est to their home. The colleges, bota
State and denominational, could not
accommodate more than ten per cent.
if al should apply. / believe that
there should be closer unity, anu
more intimate contact between our
schools and colleges. In other words,
our educational systems should De 50
organized that when boy or girl
shall, complete the course of study
provided in our primary schools, ana
enters any of the colleges, the col
iece work should be continuation OF
the work already commenced in the
rimary schools. We have in Glenn
son college an institution which IS
already doing a great work, but us
usefulness to the people Of the state
can be greatly enhanced If we Woulo
besir to teach agriculture in all OF
the preparatory schools. attacn
great Importance to this phase OF our
education for the reason that we are
and must continue to be, an agrlcul-
tura; peop.e. AS you develop our ag-
ricui.nre, you promote our material
prosperity; as you increase the pro
duction of the soil, you increase the
volume of our wealth. Our legisla-
ture has already taken favorable &C
tion along this line and l trust that
,yo shall not turn backward. | would