The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-02-24
RANKS REPLY TO M'LAURIN.
Calhoun County Senator Says He Had
Hoped McIaurin Would Win Con-
fidence Of People.

COIumDla, FeD. Z0.-SenatOr j. Ar
thur Banks, OF Calhoun, president of
the State Warehouse association, to-
day addressed the following letter to
former Sttae Warehouse Commission
or John L. McLaurin, Of Bennetts-
willie:
Hon. John L. McI.aurin, BENEFITS
vile, s. c.
Dear Sir: In replying to your pub
lished letter, may only speak for
myself, the members of the State
Warehouse association, having spoken
for themselves at meeting duly call
ed under authority conferred by the
association on its president.
II hoped that you and Mr.. Mauldin
would lead our cause, because 1 have
confidence in your ability, sincerity
and patriotism. My intimate .asso-
citation with you for the past four years
has satisfied me Of this, so far as you
are concerned, and my brief acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Mauldin, together with
the circumstance of his election to the
house and his record there, are my
assurance Of his strength and his un-
swerving devotion to the broad in
terests of all the people. hoped that
this movement would succeed because
Of its opportunity to lead our people
away from the destroying tendencies
of partisan spirit toward a construc-
tive program of businesslike method
in the administration Of our govern
mental affairs. Our people may be
easily led away from the bitterness
of partisan feeling If a sure and stead.
fast star Of promise OF better things
holds out its light. If you would de-
stroy error. don't fight It: show the
truth. If you would dispsl darkness,
don't curse It; strike light. shall
not, therefore, undertake to place the
blame for the excessive burden of tax
alton which has climbed from 4 "a
mills In 1907 to. 8 1-S mills In 1917.
1t Is mainly due to unwise policies of
the past. to which the present is heir.
To illustrate: About six years ago /
served as a member of a commission
to study the condition Of our. asylum
and recommended a program. for its.
management. We advised the sale OF
the old asylum property in Columbia
for $1,000.000 and the use of this
money In building modern institu-
ton on lands already acquired beyond
the city limits. Had this course been
adopted, we would not now be under
the necessity to provide a half mil
lion dollars for It's Improvement ana
support. could mama others, but o,re.
Is sufficient to illustrate the point.
! II hoped that YOU and the talented
son Of my old friend. Governor Maui
din, who lived and died in distin-
guished and unselHsh service to the
State, would make this campaign for
the further reason that our people
neeed to be informed on the great
possibilities of the State warehouse
principle to the end that it MAJ be
perfected. firmly fixed and made tc
serve the purpose Of it's founders, that
our sister States may see it's light and
follow where it leads to the complete
emancipation Of southern agriculture.
I'VE need in South Carolina an eco
nomic program-a program that will
foster the cause of the wealth Gre
ators and home builders and not
neglect the interests and rights of all
other classes, where prosperity and
tranquility may prevail with justice
and equity-and to this end we need
leadership-strong. constructive and
devoted
God. give. us men; a time like this
demands
Strong minds. great hearts, true faith
and willing hands:
Men whom the lust Of Office does
not kill.
Men whom the spoils of office cannot
buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will.
Men who love honor. men who will
. not lie
Tall men. sun-crowned, who live
above the fog
In public duty and in private think
Ing"
II hoped that in some measure you
could rise to the plane Of Hollands
poetic conception and carry your tai
ent for economies there. evolving a
constructive economic program, win.
ming the confidence and support Of
our people to that program and set
ting up in South Carolina something
hnt To-