The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-26
ENTERPRISE AND PROGRESS.
= Southern Immigration Society-Sew-
berry in the Columbia Centennial
Electric Lights anu Water Works

Mr. EIitor:-Would it not he we'll
for the citizens Of Newberry to organ
iZe a local branch of the Southern
Immigration Society? The objects
might reasonably be stated to be an in
crease of population and the enlarge
ment of our resources as community.
The Southern Immigration Society
has doue aud is doing thorough and
effective work in the development of
the South. OF necessity those sections
where no local interest is manifested
fail to receive any direct benefit from
efforts of the Southern immigration
If We watch current events
we will observe that considerable cor
is had at this juncture be-
tween intending emigrantS and the
local branches.
In speaking of emigrants I make no
reference to the vagabondish element
that is pouring into Castle Garden
every day. The toiling masses Of the
West are so hampered now by close
competition, and by the insufferable
burdens imposed upon them in the
way of interest charges by the money
lenders of the East and OF Great
Britain, that they are longingly turn-
ing their faces to the South as their
haven of peace and in hope OF financial
emancipation. The coming decade will
witness a wonderful exodus Of hus-
bandmen to the South.
Not Westward but Southwark will
soon be the cry of the settler. Let US
prepare ourselves to receive portion
of this floed tide of emigration. New
berry should not lag behind in the
great race for industrial growth. The
possibilities Of our town are great, but
what are the probabilities if we do not
arouse our activities in the graphing of
this and all other important measures
that tend to our internal welfare?
\ local society should be organized
at once. We should have printed
several thousand copies of a pamphlet
or h and book descriptive of our county
and its advantages; particular refer
ences might be made proitably to the
salubrity Of cur climate, the sparkling
and refreshing quality OF our water, the
fertility of our soil, and to the progress
sive spirit Of our people. Concerted
action is necessary to the physical up
building of any place; if we depend
upon private or solitary efforts in this
direction, we might as well "hang our
harps upon the willows" and wiring
our hands in despair. The public veal
calls for public or general interest.
Each individual is too much absorbed,
and rightly too, in the prosecution of
personal affairs to undertake single
handed the establishment Of public en-
terprises. Let everybody become in
terested, and thus bring about the
greatest good to the greatest number.
We hazard nothing when we say we
need more artisans and more skilled
laborers, and, therefage, an increasingly
useful citizenship.
These will never come unlimited.
The Board of Trade might properly
take initiative action in this matter,
but as it appears to be defunct, it were
better not to entrust so live matter
into its osseous grasp.
Let the constituted authorities of the
town call a public meeting at an early
day to take action in the premises.
Why should Newberry not take steps
looking to proper representation at the
proposed Columbia Centennial? The
towns Of the State have been invited to
participate in this Centennial anniver-
sary Of the Assem- bling of the State
Legislature at Columbia as the capital
of the State. Newberry should prepare
an arch for Main street upon this occa-
sion, and have properly accredited rep
resentatives upon the ground.
1t should be a gala day for all South
Carolina. 1t is expected to be State
affair. Columbia, of course, is further
ing the celebration with her whole
soul. This occasion will be full Of re-
miniscences. 1t Will be representative
of the storied past, as we'll as Of the liv-
ing, active present. 1t will be a marked
contrast of Carolina as she was, with
Carolina as she is. 1t will be an occa-
sion full Of the memories of the years
that have rolled by-some plenteous
with joy, others sombre with departed
hopes and anticipations. 1t will be an
occasion that will remind US of the
illustrious sons Of Carolina, of their
just renown in pulpit, in commerce, at
the bar, in the lofty avenues Of medi-
cine, of the civic renown, of the unsul-
lied honor of fair Carolina, Of the splen-
did virtues of her sons and daughters.
1t will be an occasion to inspire US
with fresh hope as we contemplate the
bright glinting that precedes, we trust,
a peaceful future for all Carolina.
May we not bury, there and then,
the rancors Of the present, and receive
benson for all time to come from our
benefcent mother? This is respectfully
recommended to our city fathers.
1t actually looks as if we are going to
have a system of water works, afford
ing protection to our homes in case Of
fire, and of electric lights, yielding
light to those citizens who do not with
draw themselves from the busy marts
of trade" when nightfall wraps its
sable mantle about us.
The people want both water and
light. Of course It is sad to part with
old friends, but the Kerosene lamps
with their failures to light properly
must go, and give way to that cleaner,
that safer, and that scarcely more ex-
pensive light-the electric.
Let US keep march to the quickstep
of progress. The saving by reduction
of insurance rate. will minimize the
cost, and what may now appear bur
den to some by reason of expense, will
prove to be a blessing in reality. Elec-
trio lights reduce dangers from fires
and give eclat to any community. 1t
is the old warfare between the tallow
dips and kerosene lamps, the latter
gaining the mastery, as electric lights
will surely have over kerosene oil.
w. E. PELHAM