The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-05-24
State Convention
Fay0rs Farm Bloc
Platform Adopted After
Hours of Discussion. Bonus
Bill Endorsed. COoper's
Fight Against This Measure
Feature of Session

progress OF the state DemcOrdjic
convention suggested that things
g too unanimous for that con-
dition to continue. There was
practically no real debate nor We're
there any differences amounting to
anything until the platform was
presented. Up to this time the
chief arguments were by way Of
explanation.
The real dramatic and note
worthy incident in connection
with the platform was the position
Of Governor Cooper. When he did
so he perhaps realized that the
majority of the convention vas in
favor of what is commonly known
rs the bonus bill" or what is now
by its advocates called the adjust
ed compensation law. In about
four or PIE sentences he stated
that he was opposed to the DO
nus law" and then the fireworks
began. The chief attack on his po-
sition was made by Mr.. Ellerbe,
which was followed by a less
acrimonious defense of the adjusted
compensation law by Mr.. Dabbs,
Of Sumter, and still more conser-
vativ1e defense by Mr.. Glenn. Of
Chester. The criticism of Govern
or Cooper was quite severe and he
made a wonderful defense of his
position which gained for him not
only hearty applause but deep ap-
probation fo; his manly and
Straightforward statement. He eX-
pressed the highest regard for the
Soldiers but said that such service
as the young men who went to the
front rendered ought to be placed
beyond the dollar mark. For those
who differed from him he said he
had the highest regard. but he
stoutly maintained his position OF
opposition to the bonus bill' ad-
hitting, however, that he might be
wrong in the matter OF judgment
but that this, nevertheless, did not
diminish his regard for those who
had the opportunity to serve.
The chief point of the advocates
of the adjusted compensation law
bill seemed to be that while the
men were at the front that those
who remained here We're getting
exorbitant wages and that the bill
merely undertakes to adjust this
disparity and that it is not COM
pensating men for patriotism. The
debate grew SO warm that S. q.
Mayfield. Of Bamberg, went SO far
as to suggest that he personally
was ashamed of the governors po-
sition.
The convention advocated in
two lines the adjusted compensa-
ton bill now pending before con-
greSs and let it go at that. There
was a decided division.
Next in intensity of feeling was
the opposition to the approval of
the agricultural bloc in congress.
This fight was led by Congressman
Dominick, largely because the bloc
involved voting fer the protective.
tariff on certain commodities and
this he was u~nalterably cp-
posed. Skottowe Wannamaker and
7. G.. Mcleod led the fight for the
endorsement OF the agricultural
bloc. stating that it was high time
for the South and West to be
united, and Mr.. Wannamaker went
so far as to say that if a pro-
tective tariff on long staple cotton
and sugar had to be a part Of the
price for Western cooperation, to
secure long term credit and other
advantages that the South would
gain, that he was willing to pay
the price.
Another interesting development
was the defeat of any criticism of
the general assembly for the de-
feat of any part OF the tax pro-
gram. The first round of this fight
was won in the committee when
Senator Alan tombstone had the
proposed criticism reduced to the
simple expression that the Demo-
cratic party regretted that the
general assembly had failed to
pass two bills that we're part OF
the tax program. These were the
luxury tax and the tax on water
powers. The convention ven elm
mated this reference later on.
Later it adopted u paragraph APP
proving of taxes on luXurieS and
excise.
Richard Belser. of Sumter, to-
gether with Senator Laney and Mr..
Benet. We're largely responsible for
the elimination of any references
OF criticism of the general assem-
bly, or any departments of the state
government.
There was no factionalism in
these discussions. Political oppo-
ncnts stood side by side in some of
these discussions and except for
arguments on the adjusted COM
~pcnsation bill and the agricultural
bloc everything seemed to DE good
natured.
The convention did not adjourn
until t o'clock this morning, and
by that time pretty much everyone
"a wor out.
Generally speaking, the women
delegates had but little to say.
Their remarks We're brief. pointed
and frequently carried Il bit OF wit.
None spoke at length, but Sencr-
ally to the point. While some OF
the younger men we're crltlclzlnS
Governor Cooper for his position
on the bonus bill. Il woman dele
gate suggested that the members
might at least have in mind that
they were talking OF Chief ENecu-
tive. THIS brought applause and