The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-07-25
State Campaign Meet
ing Last Wednesday

Candidates for state offices spoke to
an audience of about 1000 Pickens
county citizens in the court house grove
Wednesday, July II. Perfect order
prevailed, each speaker was given good
attention and no outside incident wor-
thy of mention occurred. There was
very little applause, Messrs. Cooper
and Richards getting practically all
there was. E. P. McCravey presided
and introduced the speakers.
Speeches of gubernatorial candidates
were the only ones which created much
interest. The following candidates
spoke: For Railroad Commissioner
A. A. Richardson, of Columbia, former
chief game warden Of this state; d. l..
Smith of Colleton, j. r. Vowel, H. H.
Arnold of Spartanburg, T. J. McLauch-
lin of Saint Matthews. For Attorney
General Sam M. Wolfe, of Anderson,
who taught school at Pckens one term;
Claude N. Sapp, of Lancaster, assistant
attorney general; r. P. Searson of
Barnwel. For Superintendent of edu-
cation-V. e. Rector of Darlington, j.
Il. Swearingen, present superintendent.
For Commissioner of Agriculture-H.
II. Morrison of Beaufort, w. D. Garri-
son, native of Anderson, now living in
low country; B. Harris of Pendleton
For Lieutenant GOVERNOR. 7. Lilies
of Orangeburg, G. w. Wightman of
Saluda. For Governor ohm T. Duncan
of Columbia, perpetual candidate; John
G. Richards, railroad commissioner;
Andrew j. Bethea, lieutenant govern
or; Robert A. Cooper of Laurens, John
M. DesChamps of Rock Hill.
John II. Duncan was the first cand-
date for governor to speak and he made
practically the same speech he has been
making for the past ten years, with
slight variations to suit present condi-
tions.
John q. Richards, Of Kcrshaw coun-
ty, was next speaker. Said he had a
son in the army but the war was not an
issue and there were no dsloyal people
IN the state. Discussed taxation at
length and said if elected he would re-
trution with extravaganza. Is father
of free scholarship system in this state
and would not change it. Reviewed his
political career and said he never let
politics interfere with his duty as he
saw it, Has never been defeated for
any Office except governor and asked
election upon his record.
Lieut.. Gov. Bethea was next speaker.
Had been private secretary to x-Gov.
Ansell and deserved some credit for his
successful administration. Made pa
triotic speech.
Robert A. Cooper said he was not in
favor of high taxes, but under present
war conditions he saw no chance to re-
duce them now if we do our duty toward
winning the war and taking care of
our soldiers when they return home.
Sald Tor twenty years candidates had
been promising reduction in taxes
and in that time they had been reduced
from 1000. 600 to $1,000, 600. Cover
nor has no power to raise or reduce
taxes anyway. Legislature does that.
Is in favor of state lending money to
all boys and girls who want to go to
college instead of present free scholar
ship system where only three or four
boys and girls from each county may
get state aid each year. If elected will
oppose every extravaganza. Favors
budget system" of taxation 80 that
each county will be assessed it's pro
rata share of taxes and county boards
will equalize taxes in their own coun-
ties.
John Nj. Deschamps delivered the
most eloquent speech of the day and it
was enjoyed by the audience tho very
tired. Said he was the only candidate
who ever came before the people advo-
eating higher taxes Would spend
more money on schools. His position
on war is "Never strike the first blow,
don't give your enemy chance to hit
you twice and when YOU hit don t leave
enough of your enemy for anybody else
to fight -