The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-04
Salem County.
Editor Watehmae and SoutAron::

EdttoT WGtchnaGn ana S0uthT0n:
Having SO much to encourage US IN the
way of 6ne seasons and 6ne crops, feel like
talking to the dear, good people about our
new county-Salem County. We of this and
adjoining parts of Darlington, Kershaw and
Chesterfield Counties, wish it distinctly un-
derstood that we are greatly in need of Salem
County; and hope that the members elected
this fall to the Senate aud House of Represen-
tatives will see tie necessity Of smaller coun-
ties and legislate accordingly. Sumter Coun-
ty certainly contains 1900 square miles,
Kershaw about 900 square miles, Darlington
only miles distant from this point has terri
tory to spare. No lack Of area needed. The
portion of country needing this new county
has every reason for its formation. l will
state-taking Bishopvile as basis to start
from: From miles North of here to the line
of Kershaw, Darlington and Chesterfield
Counties, the citizens have to travel respec
lively to attend to county business, 81, "a,
Is and 80 miles to their county seats. We
will say, then, that court convenes at each
place and that one grand juror and two petit
Jurors are drawn from these sections, and
within radius of twenty miles, two grand
Jurors aud four petit jurors, and as many wit
nesses accordingly, would it not save up in
ten years almost enough in County expenses
to build a fine court house. Certainly it
seems quite small affair to bring to your
notice, but get your paper and pencil and
figure out the mileage alone, for persons in
actual attendance, TO say nothing of other
citizens who have to attend at their county
sites on business. Again, we are 80 remote
from market that lots of money is cast
away to no use at all when it could be used
to enlighten aud build up our waste places.
And by forming new county we create
new town, new enterprise, and l might say
new people. We are in day of progress,
and we should be up and abreast with the
times. The whole State of Delaware has only
three counties in it, aud it will take those
three to equal in size the County of Sumter.
THE area of the State of Delaware is put
down in Grams Atlas as 1850 square miles,
and the population by the census of 80 at
1881 The area of Sumter County, &C.
cording to the Centennial Gazetteer, is about
1880 square miles-600 square miles less than
the State of Delaware. The population Of
Sumter County by the census of 80 is AZ, sos
only about one-fourth as many as Della
ware has.-ED. ~ ISL Then why shall
we remain here idle all the while and not do
as other progressive States are doing. North
Carolina aud Virginia scarcely average four
hundred square miles to the county, Georgia
ditto, and when you get up into Ohio, Illi-
nols and other States they are even less,
while here in South Carolina we have coon-
ties large enough for two Of six hundred and
twenty-five square miles each. am glad to
see Houea Path, Greenwood and other places
looking forward to this same measure, and
say to them God-speed, aud hope that they
aad we will elect only such men to represent
rs as are alive to the benefit and welfare of
our interest and States interest; bu. verify it
seems that we are blind to our ioterest in this
respect and have given our attention to Ma
tional candidates.
We really have no use for a Senator as far
as good comes to South Carolina from Wash
iagton. But we do need State legislation,
bad, indeed very much, especially county
legislation. These questions should be asked
every candidate: What legislation have you
in view for the good of your County? What
for the State7 And if they cannot give sat-
isfactory answer lets leave him at home, be
he Tillmanise, Butlerite or whatsoever, as nn-
fit to receive your vote.
L