The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-10-03
For the Camden Journal.

For the Camden Journal.
Mr.. Editor: One who signs himself "a
Subscriber" in the "Sumier Banner" of the
26ih ult, announces the fact that the people Of
kershaw are getting Il petition To the Lrgisla.
turr, signed, praying 10 incorporate part of
Clarrtnon, county with Kershaw; and by way
OF killing the project in the bud, comes down
upon it with two heavy blows, in The hope Iha,
it may never be hoard Of again. H" appeals
10 The District pride TO he aroused and prevent,
the disme mberment Of the territory of Clare
mont, aud then interposes a constitutional
objection.
In regard to the Constitution, VIC have 10 say
that we perfectly well understood our position
from the first, and knew that 10 accomplish onr
object the constitution had To be altered, so far
as the boundary in question was concerned -
The EIrcion District boundaries were made
permanent hy the amendments made to the
constitution in 1908, ard to change them, the
course prescribed by the constitution for its al
tcraion must be pursued; and that c"urse we
wcte well aware hadto be- pursued, and is the
one which we are now at. II is hardly worth
while 10 stop 10 break lance with "A Sub.
scribcr" upon an immaterial question which hr
has raised, to wit whether the boundary of
Claremunl county is not Pine Tree Creek, as
determined by the act of 1885: that is one mile
South from Kcrshaw Court House. But If he
will again examine The constitutions Of l713
an 1870. he will find that the boundaries Of
the Election Districts are not mentioned or al
lldpd to. and Of course dnes moi control them
Under the constitution of l77a, tho Election
Di. ,rict was thus described, "thc district to the
Eastward of Wa,rrre River" shall send two
members The constitution of 1890 SAYS that
"Claremont' shall send two members. but left
the boundaries to be altered or amended by the
ordinary Legislative act. "Claremont" would
still he the same, if her boundaries were chang.
Ell. in The view Of the constitution and so the
Legislature thought by changing the boundary
in l792-in which Clarcmoat has now acQii.
cscrd for fifty years. But we understand ha,
A Subscriber" not on v denies that Clare.
mont can be abridged of her fair. present pro-
portions, by Legislative Act, and calls upon
its citizens to rally 10 prevent the disnlemher.
mrnt of Ihe county, but nlsn to claim that its
boundary righ,lully is Pine Tree Creek, aud to
insist upon tnrir right. Then, in his view, This
is disputed boundary, (as Korshaw has been
in possession Of large part of it since the year
1922 and is an open question. If so, we
invite Claremnnt to make the question befnrr
the Legislature, where we shall bp happy to
meet them, and discuss moi merely the rusty
records of the past. HIT the fitness and prnpriety
of The proper boundary between Claremont and
, k"rshaw.
The pride of CIaremont and Sumter District
is appealed 10 TO prevent the cutting off a part
Of the lnrmer. There is pride of men and
another pride Of nations, hut ce,tainl " they are
cluse akid. Among men there is proper pride
which impels us to leave the company of those
who desire not our presence, and To let those
depart in peace, who do not wish to remain
among us. 1t might be proper for Ih' people
of Clarpmont 10 consider whether pride and n
just self respect ough. not to induce them In
permit people to separate from them, who do
not desire 10 remain among ihem--cerainly
such is the course which our worthy Giend
Subscriber" would pursue in respcc, to himself.
Since this question is not to he left to be
decided by the wisdom Of the Legislature, but
public opinion is to be brought TO bear on it, it
is proper that The views OF those seeking the
ch ,nge should be heard and understood. The
people of kershaw are not moving in the
matter, but the whole movement begins and
ends with the people living on that strip Of
land in Claremont proposed 10 be annexed to
kershaw. That strip on the river may be
some eight miles wide by ten long up to the
main fork of Big Ration Creck-iron thence
to the Lynches Creek line, it cannot be more
than FIVE miles wide. These distances are
judged of by viewing the map of Mills. and may
not be entirely accurate. The reasons Of the
inhabitants who live on this strip, for desiring
the change, are plain. They are nearer to
Camden 10 perform all public duties required Of
them by Law, which require their presence
there, such as Jury duty, militia duty and so
forth. Their private business carries them to
kcrshaw, not Sumter. Their connections are
with kershaw in business and in interest, in
every way. Their feelings are with Kershaw--
for where the interest is, thero will the heart be
also, and they call upon every liberal minded
man in Claremont 10 aid them in their petition
and wishes, the granting of which does not
injure Claremont, but materially benefits the
petitioners.
The public reasons are equally hrcible.-
kershaw is small District, for which one
week is more than enough to transact all her
law business. Sumter is a large District,
requiring two weeks at each Term. Ifby les.
senng her amplitude, we fill up the week Tor
Kcrshaw, and reduce Sumter 10 one week, i, is
a decided gain TO the people Of Sumter gencr.