Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-05-21
BLEASE ON THE CONVENTION
Former Governor Gives His View oi
the Situation.

Former Governor BlrlSc Il few days
ago gave ont the folIowin" statement
with reference To the recent stat"
conventions:
j must say that | am not at all
surprised ut the action of the state
convention. because, having looked
over the list of delegates. | expected
To see Il bitter partisan and factionIl
display. both i'm word and action.
am satisfied that the convention has
strengthened very much the prospects
Of the Reform candidates in the COM
Ing campaign.
There is no question as 10 the
loyalty OF all the white people Of this
state. They are absolutely unanimous
i'm their support of America in the
present world wide war. and ] do not
believe there Is Il true American in
the Union who Tor n moment would
wish anything but the greatest de-
gree of success and SpcrdicSt victory
for american arms.
"lOwrvCr. ! am very much diSap-
pointed in the platform of the con-
vcntiun. for II referred To no single
ISSUE confronting the people of South
Carolina. The loyalty of our people is
not an issue. Tho nations cause is
not an issue. Upon that we are all
vcntion by resolution should rcaiirm
this alfrganC" to democracy and to
the nation in this war, hut this con-
vrntion. by camouflagc so apparent
that il ceases to bc camOuflagc. has
"ndcavorcd to miSlcad the people into
believing that there are no state is
sues of importance both at home and
to aid the nation in the successful
conduct OF the war. There are n
number OF vital questions confronting
the people as to affairs here at home,
and every single one of them the con-
vrntion completely and absolutely
lodged. They have cndcavorcd to
wrap the American flag around them.
claiming that they are the only ones
who are loyal. and have attempted to
hide behind the flag. making rich
mixture OF patriotism and politics.
They are absolutely silent as to edu-
cation. taxation. good roads. the state
warehouse system and asking assist
ancc of the Federal government in
establishing graded system for
wages in all government plants. and
many other matters which are Of i'm
mediate and pressing Importance to
our people.
Their silence upon these issues.
however. Is not hard to understand
That convention no more represented
the people of South Carolina than
would n convention held in n foreign
state. and any utterance by II upon
state issues which would have repre-
sentrd the sentiment of the people of
the state would have necessarily been
IN outspokcn condemnation of theii
administration in state affairs during
the past three and one-half years.
Hence the necessity to dodge and to
side step.
There was an absolute failure to
take any action looking towards purcr
elections and the elimination of
fraud which has characterized the
past two state primarics-mattcrs
which even their own organs had urg-
I'd with all the vigor that they possess
because they realize that the people
are demanding IL.
But the people will be heard from
in August.
Personally. am satisfied that am
stronger among the people Of this
state today than I was the day be-
fore the convention met. and that the
Reform candidates. il they will point
out TO the people the mistakes. bitter
partisanship. extravaganza and law
lessness OF the anti-Reform regime.
and urge the Reform platform for tho
advancement of those things which
are most needful for us today. will
win an overwhelming victory at the
polls this summer"