Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-06-28
STATE cAMPAI6NERs
Meeting at Aiken Wednesday Was
Quiet Affair.

4Qtot SHahs
Aiken, June 26-Taxation and the
war were the main topics discussed
by the seekers for gubernatorial nom
ors here today before an audience
which approximated 200 persons. The
auditors were well behaved and gen.
erous with their applause. John l.
McLaurin, for governor, OctaHius
Cohen. for lieutenant governor, were
the only candidates missing at the
meeting. MIR. McLaurin wired that ne
J had TO so home to consult his phHsi-
clan, and would rejoin the party as
soon as possible.
Is Fighting For Reform.
Major John q. Richards. the first
candidate for governor to speak. said
that he is in the race lighting for the
"reiormers" and he has fought for
them since 1890. He claimed that
there has been n steady drifting of
the government from the people TO
the ring rule OF the bosses.
The speaker said that Mr.. Cooper.
like Mr.. Manning in 1914. Is leading
the fight OF the claimants that taxa
tion cannot be reduced without i'm
pairing efficiency OF the government.
Mai. Richards asserted that II can br
done.
Although he was glad TO say that
South Carolinians TO a man are behind
| the government in the prosecution oi
the war, said Robert a. Cooper, the
next speaker for governor, yet he con-
| tended that the war was the para
mount, the oyershadowing issue be-
fore the people. not only Of South
Carolina, but OF the entire Union. He
| said that he is not just now converted
to the cause OF the Allies, that In 1911
he was profoundly sympathetic with
| the efforts OF the ally belligcrents 10
wrcst world domination from Ger
many.
Mr.. Cooper then gave concrete in
stances to show why necessarily there
had been gradual increase in the
taxes since 1900.
IL do not believe your taxes can bc
reduced" reiterated Alr. Cooper. lie
then challenged the other low taxa
| tion candidates to point out what Of
fees they would abolish ii elected.
In answer TO the charge that he Is
following in the footsteps OF Cover
nor Manning. Mr.. Cooper said. Il
have never stood In any mans shoes
except my own. | am not looking
after any man. stand where
stood four years ago."
| John NJ. DcsChamps, the next
speaker for governor, was somewhat
petulent at the newspapers today. He
| hoped in future campaigns that the
reporters will he either paid by the
state or the candidates and that they
will give fair, unbiased accounts. not
entering into any combinations or
cliqucs to eliminate any Of the can
didatcs.
John T. Duncan. who followed, said
that Mr.. DesChamps lis badly mix.
cd" that he supplies imagination
where facts are missing" He like
wise paid his respects 10 other OF the
candidates and criticised them as
creatures of the System" we know
that victory will be ours" said Thos
II. Peoples. candidate for governor.
In discussing the war issue he de-
clarcd that he believed every South
ICarolinian Is a true patriot and gave
an historical analogy TO show that
they came by their love OF country
naturally. This Is not n time for
politics and politicians" said the at
torney general, but II Is a time for
statesmen" and you want man I'm
the governors chair who knows what
the brotherhood OF man means Our
great president has said that we are
OIL n tn LA hA
democracy" said Lieut.. Governor
Andrew J: Betaea, the last sseaksr
'136f governor. "but We must keep de.
hocracy safe In South Carolina. I
warn you, therefore, against the ma
chine method In politics, signs Of
which are already evident In this
campaign. ] think the people are
competent to do their own choosing
without intcrferences.