The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-07-17
PROVIDECE ROAD WORK.
Not Endorsed by Those Who Know
Something Of Condition Of
Road, and Work Done.

.Nr. Editor: We see from our local papers,
through Communication purporting to be
from ''W. A. Spann, Overseer," that 'com-
plant having oeen made 10 the Grand
Jury" &C., in reference 10 work on certain
road in Providence Township, "Mr. J. r.
Phillips demanded of County Board OF Com
nissioners an investigation of complaint,
and that committee Of the County Board
together with the local (Providence) board
referred to, and that after careful inspec-
tion OF the work by the committee they
unanimously decided, on motion, that the
work was we'll done, and the county had
saved money by working the road as it had
DONE
We also gee that it is claimed by ''W. F.
H." in the Sumter Herald that "the people of
Providence and the people in general are in
debted TO Mr.. J. R. Phillips, our township
chairman, for the manner in which he hos
had the road worked from Providence to the
Sumter road &c.
Whatever credit or praise is merited By Mr.
Phillips or Mr. Spano, or any other public
servant should not be denied nor withheld:
bu: there are some taxpayers in Providence
Township who can not indorse the action of
the committee Of County Board, nor enter
tain the opinion of ''W F. H., until it is
explained why 81 hands lat least) warned on
the road 10 question, who were required by
law TO work six days, performed but l53
days work, this being the number of days
stated by Sir. Phillips to commi,,ee). And
why the road baods (eght or ten preauma-
bly,, on certain large plantation, directly
on, and belonging heretofore 10 this said
road, were rot required, aud have not work
ed on this road, nor any other road this
year not even doing little work on the
porto of the road through the said pianta-
ton, (which was, it is claimed. assigned 10
hands on said place by Mr. Jack Browo, ex-
commissioner, years ago., which, though
very little work, really needs to be done
and show the justice and equity of screening
said cer;ain road bands from extra and
laborious work required of others And
further, demonstrate how money was saved
10 the county when Mr. Phillips and his
overseer got bu. l53 days work, when 300
days work, at least, were due, net couo,ing
the hands who. for some reason, we're not
warned and required to work thus, it ap-
pears. l47 DAYS, or more days work, which
were due by road hands were lost to the
county, and said l47 days or more days
work were supplied BY hired labor at so
cents per day-making $3.50. If we add
to this amount, pay for overseer, say $40
hauling tools, &C., say S., (two latter
amounts guessed at) and we have S9S.50
Take S9s.5O from SlO4. 90, land some cents)
which figures Mr.. Phillips gave committe ss
amount paid for labor, and We have differ
ence of between FIVE aud ak dollars Now
it appears, had the road hands on the e1-
cused plantation been required 10 work six
days, there would have been no deficiency Of
labor 10 do the work which has been done,
md hence no need of hired labor. no need Of
paid overseer and 40 need of cent Of cost
to the county.
1t may be that the above problem can be
worked ou; very differently and made to de-
monstrate that "money was saved 10 the
county when an i,emZed statement Of Ill
county expenditures are rendered 10 the
Grand Jury az + believe ls required by law
10 October, # DOT done before And, if so,
eli due credit and bonor 10 the public econo-
mist, and benefactors.
In Justice TO the committee Of county
Board will say, that with the light before
them, they could not do otherwise than they
did, for II is impossible for them or any 9TH
er set Of men, except experts in grading and
road building, TO determine how much or
how little work of this character has been
done And knowing nothing of the amount
| been done by road bands, &C., and having
only ex parte opinions from men, who
though conscientious in their opinions, were
really "in the dark themselves, and, having
no ligh: could give 20 light, (Which one, at
least, has discovered and had the candor to
acknowledge
In connection with this subject would re-
spectfully suggest to the County Board, the
question: Is it wise and safe, in the line of
economy and justice TO taxpayers, (whetber
or 40. i, is law 10 put out any public work
of any character or magnitude to legally ir-
responsible parties? Ii the Board think this
is the best and wises: course to pursue, it
will be fortunate 10 employ those who are
capable Of doing the work properly and save
money for the county.
There is no purpose in this squib 10 60 any
on9 injustice, but il it contribu les to any de-
greein operiag the eyes OF the County Board
and aiding them in economizing and saving
money to the taxpayers. its leading purpose
will be accom- pliehed.