The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-05-20
SWEARINGEN
TO RUN FOR
HIGH OFFICE
Will Be in Race for Governor
ship of State

Columbia, May lo.-JollII IL.
Swearingen, state superintendent
of education, yesterday announced
that he would be a candidate for
governor in the Democratic prl-
mary this summer.
Mr.. Swearingen is widely known
over the state, is recognized as a
man Of ability and strength, and
the announcement of his intention
to enter the primary will be read
with interest. Some months ago.
when a meeting of the county su-
perintendents of education Of the
state was being held. a motion was
made to the effect that the super
intendents indorse Mr.. Swearlngen
for governor. Mr.. Swearingen
would not put the motion while he
was in the chair, but later it was
stated and was acted upon favor
ably with some onc else presiding.
Since that time there have been
numerous run1ors to the effect that
Mr.. Swearingen would throw his
hat in the ring, but while he had
been asked. many times whether or
not he would make the race, he
withheld a definite reply, though
his friends knew that he was
giving the matter careful consider
alton.
Several times when he was asked
whether or not he was going 10 run
he spoke of his interest in the pub
lie schools ard of the opportunity
for service the Office Of superin-
tendent of education gave him.
Following is a copy of a state
ment give nout yesterday by Mr..
Swearingen:
81 shall be a candidate for gov
ernor in the Democratic primary.
The governorsh;p is the highest
honor in the gift of the people. l
invite the voters to investigate my
character and record. For14 years
the people have allowed me to
work as state superintendent of
education.
1.-The modest standards that have
been introduced are under fire. The
fight for the common schools is on
and I prefer to make this fight in
the open before all the people. De-
spite the progress of recent years,
education is still the chief need of
the state. It is the only cure for
ignorance rs well as the best and
safest remedy for poverty and
crime.
THE tax system should be adj
justed and equalized SO as to tighten
the burden carried by the small
farmer. the small home owner and
the small business man.. The wealth
of the state can easily bear and pay
the cost OF honest and economical
government without hardship on
any taxpayer. Our tax burden
needs to be justly distributed, our
take, fully and impartially collect
ed and our funds economically and
constructively expended.
Notwithstanding business de-
preston, the, ravages of the boil
weeyil and the uncertainty of the
outlook, our people are not ready
yet to close our schools and colleges
or to pull down u i~nstitutins.
The direct tax now burdening
visible property must be shifted so
as to tap other sourcse Of revenue.
Second onl ytoeducation122 LmU
Second only to education and tax
alton stand law enforcement. good
roads and public health. The car
nival of crime should be checked.
The investment already made in
good roads should be conserved.
Further improvements should be
made when funds become avail
able. The campaign for public
health should be pressed and every
public health agency should be
strengthened.
"Factionalism. pickering and
strife have too long hurt the state.
The governor and the legislature
must work together if anything
worth while is to be undertaken or
accomplished"