The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-20
Fate REF0RNERS
ARE WIDE AWAKE
Take Steps to Enact Legislation to
Relieve People of Burden Of
Excessive Taxation.

Excessive Taxation.
Columbia. March 1.-THE general
tenor of a number of letters received
here this week and man. expressions
from Reform" leaders of various
counties. who have been IN Columbia
in connection With the weeks festivl-
ties, indicate what appears to be de-
sire on the part of the party general
ly that the central committee, which
will meet here on next wednesday,
March 81, take steps looking towards
the selection of a straight State tlcK-
ct to be proposed to the voters OF the
State in the primary of 1919, and that
the organization OF the party be car
ried in detail to every county in the
State, in order to include III The gen
eral program the selection .? mem
bers of the general assembly who VIII
be pledged to enact such legislation
as will relieve the people to some
extent at least of the burden OF eA-
cessi,e taxation under which they are
now laboring, and give them other
remedial measures which they are de-
manding.
The demand that Former Governor
Blease again lead the party as can
didate for governor is every day be-
coming more insistent, and sentiment
is crystallizing upon candidates VINO
are to be put forward for the other
positions.
Effective Organization.
o.
day to the many letters which had
been received by the secretary of the
central committee, but declined to say
ANYTHING further than he has already
stated-that an effective organization
is the main thing, and that he is Will
ing to fight for the principles OF the
party, as he has fought in the past, IN
such position as may be assigned him:
eff it should be felt by the party, :
said Mr.. Blease, "that l can render
better service as a private fighting III
the ranks, I shall be glad to do what !
can in every way possible for the
success of the ticket which may be
suggested. If it should be felt that 1t
would be better that l again canvass
the State as a candidate for Office IN
order to present the principles OF the
party in like manner, then all T'oA
and good will do what can
what we need to do" continued
Mr.. Blease, ais to realize the fact that
the preliminary engagements usually
have a most important bearing upon
the result OF the general battle ana
the Reform party of South Carolina i
will have taken the greatest step for
ward towards success When it gets i
its members impressed with the ne
cessity Of attending the Democratic /
club meetings and electing delegates !
to the county conventions who VIII
send q State convention to Columoia
In MAY: 1918, which will provide
party machinery that will carry our
the will of the people as expressed
At the ballot box. The majority OF |
the voters of South Carolina are ~lta
as, because we represent the cause OF
the iaboring people, the farmers ana
all others who make their living by !
the sweat of the. brow. and because
we want to oeal fairly and justly with
capital in all it's legitimate endeaV-
ors. !
Points Out Retrogression.
This nation Is today facing the
most serious internal and lnternaelon-
al crisis since the surrender OF the
British forces at Yorktown, with ene
sole exception of the war between I
the States and the reconstruction |
na-iod Whatever may be the out
come Of the dispute between the rail-
roads and their employees, the aglta-
tion shows the point to which We
have advanced in this country, OF,
speaking more succinctly, POSSIBLY
should say the po'nt TO which We nave
retrograded-when the food supply
OF the nation has twice been menac-
ed during the past few months 0y
hostile attitude as between labor anc
oanitaI. I have no disposition to ere
ate further friction by anything that
r may say, burt I do MAINTAIN tna'
something is radically wrong Wltn
the administration Of our government
when such things as these are becom-
ing the ordinary routine news OF IL
day
"The international situation is the
sravest which this nation has con-
fronted in many years.
ssIt is q time Of stress and strain |
which demands the best thought and
the most conscientious discharge or
public duty, both in State and nation
III affairs. al
1--WE need readjustment. or
course. realize that South Carolina
is a small part of the country 50 far
as geographical lines are concerned,
hut she will be a leader again II ner
people will get together and again
take in their hands the reins OF their
own government. We cannot direct
the policy of the nation, but We can
ana with the right kind |