The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-03-11
EDITORIAL NOTES.


sion. The only thing about this ses-
sion that was not uninterestibg was the
item of expense. The taxpayers will
have good cause for remembering this
session. and they may we'll pray for de.
liverance FROM another like it.
The Cigarette Tax bill was called up
in the Senate on Saturday, and the un-
favorable report of the judiciary com
mittee was adopted with little or nc
opposition. When this bill vas first
considered by the judiciary committee
favorable report was made. and it
would have in all probability become
law had not steps been taken by men
interested in the tobacco industry to
convince the members of the Senate
the effect such law would have upon
the tobacco interests Of the State. The
Senate acted wisely 10 killing the bill,
for it would have had 10 appreciable
effect in reducing the consumption Of
cigarettes, and would have we'll nigh
ruined the tobacco Industry which has
recently assumed such importance in
this section of the State.
Some actioo should be taken by the
citizens Of Sumter to assist Congress
man Stokes 10 bis effort to obtain an
appropriation for N onument to Gen.
Sumter The government has always
evinced a disposition to honor the
memory of Revolutionary heroes, and
that monument has rot been erected
in honor of Gen. Sumter before is due
entirely, GO doubt, to the negligence of
the people Of this county. By urging
the matter before Congress an appro-
pria:;on could have been obtained years
ago.
TIE Spanish are as noted for their
ignorance as for their pride aud cruelty,
and the foolish antics they are cutting
up over the recognition of the belliger
,ancy Of Cuba by the Uoited States is
proof that their reputation is DOT un-
merited. The hairbraioed idea of the
mass Of the Spanish people that Spain
could defeat the United States in a war
is as wildly improbable and as humor-
GUS as auy Of the passages in "Don
Quixote The couatrymen Of Ger.
vantes are great humorists. and cannot
restrain jest when even SO serious
matter as war with the United States
is concerned.
There is very little righteous and
wholesome Indignation over the rotten
ness uuearshed 10 Ed dge6eld county.
The citadel aud well-spriog Of reform
has been fouud permeated with official
corruption, and there is more than a
hins that there is something rotton in
the State of Denmark, as Ben Tillman
was won't to quote in the year 80 Of
blessed refawm memory. Edge6eld is
rotten and corrupt in political circles,
and if some Of her delectable public
servants are not sent to peneteutiary,
Capt. Neal will be defrauded Of bis
dues
Acting on suggestion made in this
paper several weeks ago, that the Ma
tiouai Govern nens should erect mon-
ument IN hc:cr of the memory Of Geu.
Thomas Sumter, and after correspon-
dence 10 reference to the matter, Con-
gresham J. Wm. Stokes has intro
duced bill in the House of Represen-
ta,ives providing for an appropriation
for the erection of monument to Gen
Sumter. The bill. and letter 10 re-
ference to it from Congressman Stokes
are printed in another column. The
suggestions made by Dr.. Stokes that
the people Of Sumter cooperate with
him il the effort to secure TIE adop-
tion Of the bill by holding meeting,
appointing q committee or Offering e
site fer the erection Of monument, are
all good aod we trust the people of the
city will decide to act 10 the matter at
once. It will be anAeasy matter to OBJ