The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-22

Paramount Issue Ia Unstintcd Sup
port OF Administration.

Democratic convention.
The county convention of I.aurens.
as an expression of its confidence.
unanimously elected Mr.. Cooper as a
delegate to the state convention and
also passed a resolution iniorsing his
candidacy for governor.
When seen at the Jefferson Hotel
Mr.. Cooper talked freely of the
political situation. He has given
very little attention to political mat
ters up to this time. having been until
about six weeks ago chairman of the
local board of Laurens County. and
since that time he has been I'm charge
of the field work OF the third Liberty
loan campaign.
When asked IL he cared to say any
thing for publication. Mr.. Cooper re-
piled: 'I have been before the people
OF the state as candidate for govern
or I'm two previous campaigns. and |
feel that they know my general at
titude toward all public questions ]
have always taken the position that
candidate for public office should
be measured by his fitness for public
service. have never sought nor de-
sired to win Office or promotion of
any kind by any other standard ]
shall ask the people for their support
upon my record as a public servant.
and upon their estimation of my fit
ness to serve them in the high office
TO which I aspire.
II shall not assume responsibility
nor claim credit for the acts of any
person. neither shall 1 seek to profit,
by the shortcomings or mistakes or
others. l am responsible for my own
conduct. and IL elected I shall not be
committed to any policies except
those which I honestly believe to be
for the best interest o., the people of
the State"
What. in your opinion. will be the
Issues of the campaign?" Mr.. Coop.
er was asked.
Il have stated heretofore that the
one paramount issue until the end o,
the, present war is the unstinted sup.
port of the national government. Il
elected governor. II shall be my pur-
pose TO cooperate to the fullest with
the administration at Washington In
It's war measures. While this issue is
paramount for the time being. there
are other questions which should be
considered. The American government
entered this war as a protest against
war. We desire permanent peac.
based upon justice. II is the part OF
wisdom to prepare for war in time OF
peace: IL Is also a part of wisdom to
prepare for peace in time OF war.
shall therefore urge that we increase
strengthen and broaden our educa.
tional facilities as means OF prep
aration for the day OF victory and
peace which we confidently expect
our soldiers to win upon the field OF
battle. our educational work must
he broad enough 20 safeguard the
social and moral welfare of our peo-
pie. and IL must be strong enough to
prepare them for the various and
varied problems to be solved.
II believe our compulsory attend
ance law should be so amended. with
proper provision for its enforce
ment. as TO secure to all our chill
dren benefits which are their birth
right. We can not any more afforG
TO neglect this matter than we can
afford TO lose the present war. Tn,
government is calling TO the colors
the very flower OF our young man
hood TO fight the nations battles
This service Is compulsory. Tn,
state and nation I'm the very near fu.
ture will need the very best service
from It's citizenship in making secure
the peace OF the world and the prep
aTation for this service should. I'm my
opinion, likewise be compulsory.
II would like to state also that
favor development OF the present
State warehouse system. to the enc
that marketing as well as storage IA!
cilities may be provided for our agri-
cultural products. Our farmers arc
now getting high prices. but there T.
no reason to hope that this condition
will continue indefinitely. In this CON
nection 1 wish to state that am in
full accord with the act of the lcgis-
iature providing teaching of agricul-
ture as part OF our school work