Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-27

EASTMAN, September 25.-shis has been an
unfortunate year for Eastman and Dodge coun-
| ty. In the first place, there never was a time
| in the history of our county when there has
| been so much sickness in town and country as
prevailed during the past summer-sore eyes.
jaundice and typhoid fever being the principal
ailments In the second place, the violation Of
our criminal laws, both State and local, for the
last twelve months. is without parallel in all
the past history of our county, from its very
creation until the present time.
But the most unfortunate occurrence we
have been called upon TO witness aud suffer
was the terrible and memorable riot of the 9TH
or August, an account of which with its re-
suits has already been given in full by the
press OF the State. The injurious consequences
of this riot to the interests of our county can
never be appreciated except by those upon
whom these consequences are directly visited.
The deplorable affair just simply turned every
thing topsy turvY. Lea wing out the matter of
the untimely loss of human life, let us consid-
er the pecunisry damages sustained. And
these consist, first, of taking men engaged in
every kind OF business, from all parts Of the
county to make up the lists OF grand and
petit jurors for the trial of the long, tedious
cases, thus leaving farms, stores, saw mills
turpentine distilleries, etc, to suffer for want
Of attention. LaboTers and employees were
witnesses. For several weeks sue eeding the
riot our merchants say there was almost
death like stiffness in their trade. The indi-
vidual expenses and inconvenience suffered
were very great indeed. But last and greatest
OF all the evil results Of the riot is the heavy
public expense OF the long special term of the
Superior Court, necessitating the levying OF an
enormous extra tax amounting to 400 per cent.
upon the State tax. The tax to be raised for
county purposes this year is about Sf30C0,
making an average of nearly $40 10 each voter
in the county. AS matter OF fact, however,
about half of the voters have no property upon
which to pay any taxes, and therefore the
average will be about $50 for county tax only,
TO each tax payer. But owing to the nequal
distribution OF property, the bulk of the bur
den will fall heavily upon some men, and this.
too, in addition to the general suffering of all
kinds of business In view of these facts, it is
TO be hoped the Legislature will at least remit
Dodge county's share OF the State taxes this
year, as recommended and requested by our
grand jury.
But have not yet completed the catalogue
or our calamities. Immediately following upon
the heels of the foregoing troubles the equi-
noctal storm came along, leaving devastation
IN its path. The trees Of our mill men and
turpenUlne manufacturers were laid waste
fences were blown down, corn was greatly
injured, cotton was scattered upon the ground
stained and damaged, and crops of every kind
were badly hurt, and thus from this source
also our county suffers great loss. Verify, this
mas been for us year of trials and troubles
and great tribulatons. To me it is perfectly
astonishing that Dodge county still moves on
and seems to prosper in the midst of such
unhappy and unfortunate circumstances And
yet there is one thing more had almost for
gotten to mention, and that is the low prices
and want of a market for the immense quanti-
ties of yellow pine lumber manufactured in our
county so that some Of our saw mill men have
been for some months on the eve of being com
PEELED to suspend operations until they could
find better sale for their products In the
face Of all our misfortunes the people of Dodge
county seem to be in better condition, f1nan-
cially, than ever before, as the tax returns
Indicate. And cur merchants are beginning TO
lay in larger stocks of goods than heretofore,
with the expectation OF doing a big business
this fall and winter A new firm Harris,
Hertz So.-have opened UP heavy stock of
dry goods, and another new f1rm-L. ]. Rob
bins, from Savannah-has recently set up a
confectionery establishment. And so we move
onW ard and upward.
Local politics are still lively There are now
five candidates aspiring to represent Dodge
county in the next Legislature-four white and
one colOred. John Sellers is the colored can
didate, but he has no chance Of success, for his
own race will not support him. 1t is believed
by some that he was induced, for a valuable
consideration, TO run in order to draw off votes
from one of the white candidates, but don't
know how far this belief is founded in truth.
j. +. DeLacy, Nicholas Rawlins, H. j. Sapp and
w. B. Sapp are the white candidates. 1t is
now conceded by those who are the closest
observers that the race lies between DeLacy
and Rawlns, and Of these two DeLacy is
It
DeLacy. believe, is the unbiased reference of
the people of the county. He is decidedly the
most capable man in the race. as gentle
mao, he IS one of the most afrable, agreeable
and polite. He is a man of the strictest
honesty and integrity. There is something
really magnetic aOout him that draws one
closer and closer TO him the better he is
known. And he is a man of ability, and if
elected to represent us in the Legislature he
will reflect credit upon our county Although
an avowed Democrat. the Republican County
Executive Committee, composed of fifteen of
the most intelligent and influential colored
men in the county, has indorsed and recon-
mended him to the colored voters, thus
showing the confidence and esteem ia
which he is held by men of all parties.
In fact, he has a strong support, both among
the whites and blacks, in every quarter OF the
county. Mr.. @. A. Walker, who has heretofore
been candidate, has Withdrawn from the
race and recommends to his friends the name
OF Mr. DeLacy as a man eminentlY fitted and
qualified for the position of Representative.
Mr.. Rawlins is quite popular in the county.
and deservedly so. He was our Representative
in the last Legislature, W. B. Sapp had suffi-
cient popularity to be elected by a considera-
Bile majority as Sheriff Of the county, which
office he holds. H. J. Sapp was
elected Mayor of Eastman last winter
and resigned a week or two since 80 that he
might enter more actively into the race for
the Legislature The strongest point now be-
ing urged against him is that he is running on
two tickets, viz: the out and out Republican
ticket and the regular State Democratic ticket
Hon. l.. NJ Lamar was here last Saturday
and gave us brief speech, which was very
gem for grace and ease of delivery, beauty and
elegance OF expression and soundness Of Demo
cratic doctrine. He was frequently and loudly
applauded. as our nominee for State Senator
he has no opposition, and will have an easy
walk over, Hon. G. +. Crisp Is to address the
citizens OF Dodge county at this place on the
18th Of next month, and demolsh his opponent,
Judge D. B. Harrell's independent platform.
j. B., JR