The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-10

rccoilect that Cole l. Biease had
made e*travasant promises OF Che
great tx reduction That &c would
make: bEt few kept in mind the re-
suit OF this promise-Blease increas-
ed taxes 100000 per annum be-
tween the year he became governor
and the year he went out OF office.
Mr.. Richards also talked about tax
reduction, promising great reductions
! if elected governor, but it is Il matter
Of record that Mr.. Richards, as Rail
road Commissioner had sought and
obtained an increase in the expense
account of that department of the
State government OF 3S per cent dur
+; inc his term of office. Perhaps this
increase was necessary for the efIi-
cient administration of the office, but
| it did not measure four square with
Mr.. Richards professed belief that
expenses should be reduced and taxes
| lowered.
He briefly explained his plan OF
substituting q loan fund to aid young
men and women to obtain an educa-
ton in place of free scholarships. He
stood for the best and widest possible
| system of education in the State.
In conclusion Mr.. Cooper said that
he did not ask any man to vote for him
what he did ask was that they vote
for the man the people believed best
suited to fill the Office during this
time of stress, trial and great events.
He pledged himself to enforce the law
withou favor, and no man should
vote for him in the hope or eXpec-
tation that if he got into trouble by
breaking the law he would receive ia
yored treatment He would never
pardon or parole a convict unless he
was convinced that justice would be
served by so doing. An experience OF
twelve years as solicitor had convinc-
cd him that mistakes are sometimes
made, and that on rare occasions JUS
tice demands that the verdicts Of
iuries be reviewed. but otherwise the
aw should take its course, and he
wculd never interfere with the just
and orderly enforcement Of the law.
The speeches of the candidates for
the other State Offices were all more Or
less interesting, especially those OF
the candidates for Superintendent Of
Education and Attorney General, and
mention Of these speeches will be
made tomorrow.
The interest in the speeches of the
candidates for minor State offices was
not very much less Tuesday than that
evinced in the longer addresses made
by the candidates for governor. All
the secondary candidates were limit
ed to eight minutes. while the candl-
dates for governor were given eight
cen minutes to tell the voters why
they should be chosen as chief eXecu-
tive officer Of the State.
The candidates for Commissioner
Of Agriculture were the first on the
programme, Mr. 3. Harris, Of Pendle-
ton opening the ball. Mr.. Harris is
we'll known throughout the State as
the result of his connection with the
Farmer Union. which he was largely
instrumental in organizing in tins
State. He stated Wat he considered
his qualifications for the Office, princl-
pally his success as q diversified farm
er, as an advocate OF cooperation
and now as the apostle of what ne
declares to be the salvation OF farm
ing as . a profitable branch OF indus
try-cormercial agriculture, which
means business-ltke methods Oh
marketing by means Of organlzaUCn
and cooperation.
Mr.. II. T. Morrison, Of Charleston
county, has been a farmer all his life
and had never sought public office. His
record as a progressive farmer hao
resulted in his election as the presl-
dent of the Sea Island Cotton Assocla-
tor and the offer Of the presidency
Of cotton warehouse company at
Savannah, which he declined, as he
did not care to leave the State. He
advocates the drainage and improve
ment Of the rich lands OF the coastal
counties under federal supervision,
which lands should be subdivided into
farms to provide homes for the SOL
diers when they return from, france.
Mr.. ". D. Garrison, Of l Hchester.
formerly of Anderson. said he was
reared in Anderson, educated at Glenn
son and for number OF years had
been engaged in experimental 1arm
work under Clemson College in the
low country That he had demon
strated that the craw-fish land of the
coastal plain, worth unimprcved about
a dollar an acre could be made to
produce fifty to seventy bushels corn
en- acre, and that by proper sanitary
measures q man could enjoy perfect
health in that section. He considers
that his education and experience, ms
knowledge Of all sections OF the state
peculiarly fit him to efficiently admin
ister the office he seeks.
The candidates for Railroad l.
| missioner came next. with DR.. j.
McI.auchlin OF Calhoun first making
his bow He delivered the only tinlshed
and well polished Grafton OF the day.
| it was a we'll executed literary produc-
ton and it was delivered with consld-
cradle elocutionary ability. In the
course Of the address DR.. McLauchlln
said he was especially we'll fitted Tor
the Office, that he could teach rallrola-
ing to another of the candidates VINO
claimed to have twenty-five years eX-
Derience in railroad building. and tha'
nc had the business knowledge and en-