Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-05-17

Hon. John E. SwearingeI. VIII
Be in the Race for Governor
of State.
John E. Swearingen, state superin.
tendent of education, yesterday an
inounced that he would be candidate
for governor in the Democratic primary
this summer.
MIR. Swearingen is widely known over
the state, is recognized as man Of
ability and strength, and the announce.
ment of his intention to enter the pri.
mary will be read with interest. Some
months ago, when meeting of the
county superintendent of education OF
the state was being held, motion was
made to the effect that the superinten-
dents indorse MIR. Swearingen for gov
ernor. Mr.. Swearingen would not put
the motion while he was in the chair,
but later it was stated and was acted
upon favorably with some one else pre-
siding. Since that time there have been
numerous rumors 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 definite reply,
though his friends knew he was giving
the matter careful consideration
Several times when he was asked
whether or not he was going to run he
spoke of his interest in the public
schools and of the opportunity for ser
vice the Office of superintendent of ed
ucation gave him.
Following is copy of statement
given out yesterday by Mr.. Swearin-
gen:
Statement From Swearingen.
sI shall be candidate for governor
in the Democratic primary. The gov
ernorship is the highest honor in the
gift of the people. invite the voters
to investigate my character and record.
For ID years the people have allowed
me to work as state superintendent of
education.
'.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. Despite the
progress of recent years, education is
still the chief need of the state. 1t is
the only cure for ignorance as we'll as
the best and safest remedy for poverty
and crime.
''The tax system should be adjusted
and equalized so as to tighten the bur-
den carried by the small farmer, the
small home owner and the small busi-
ness 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 taxes fully and impartially collect
ed and our funds economically and con-
structively expended.
Notwithstanding business depres-
sion, the ravages of the boil weevli
and the uncertainty Of the outlook,
our people are not ready yet to close
our schools and colleges or to pull
down our institutions.
About Direct Tax.
"The direct tax now burdening
visible property must be shifted so
as to tap other sources of revenue.
Second only to education and taxation
stand law enforcement, good roads
and public health. The carnival of
crime should be checked. The in
vestment already made in good roads
should be conserved.
"Further improvements should be
made when funds become available.
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 accom-
plished."-The State.