The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-04-20
THE COUNTY SEAT TROUBLE
IN LEE COUNTY.
The Facts Ser Forth
Lee County Record.

DlSpOpSliIe, D. u, APlu AA3 60.
Messrs. Editors: notice that certain par.
ties cha6ng at their defeat in their
fight against the formation OF Lee
County, are now circulating a petit
ton, asking the Governor to order an
election to remove the county seat from Bish-
opyille, stating that We had promised to
erect the public boildings, and that we have
now refused to carry out in good faith, our
promises, and that we are setting the part of
tricksters and wish to saddle the entire debt
upon the caunty, borrowing for that purpose
Sl5. 900 from the sinking fand.
Now as was the one who represented the
finance committee Of the Board of Commis-
sioners of Lee County, and communicated
with the sinking fund commissioners, beg
leave to state the actual facts in the case.
Fret, our Board was Informed (ss in fact
they knew tE1t Bishnpvile was then and is
now fully determined to carry out 10 full her
promise as soon as circumstances rendered 1t
practicable. The Commissioners then as q
whole decided that they would best carry out
the wishes of our people by erecting good
buildings with modern improvements, and
determined that they would speod about
fifteen thousand dollars on their structure,
and with that view would supplement the
amount, to be raised by the town, VIZ: "a
levy of per ceot. upon it's taxable property
as promised in our circular issued before the
election, and all that the Law allows us to do)
to bring il up to the fifteen thousand dollars
required.
Second, wiah further to say that there has
been no application to the sinking fund COM
mission for loaa. We only asked that
Board to rule upon the question as 80 whether
We were in position to secnre loan ana
fully stated to them cur intention to
aoat the Bonds Of the town up to per
cent of its taxable property, as soon as
empowered by the General Assembly, and
then to return that portion of the amount
borrowed. We BY no mears intended to sad
die the county with the debt, we felt wss en-
tirely our own. Now, fair minded citizsns
of Lee County, you know very we'll that the
building Of Court House and Jail 10 not the
Same style of business as the getting up of q
chicken coop, to be finished in day, and we
only ask that you allow the loan a little
time, IN good faith to redeem all of its prom
ises. assure you, that without one cent OF
debt upon the county, before the officers elect
of Lee County shall qualify, We; will farnish
Court House they will NOS be ashamed to
occupy aod jais capable Of holding all the
evil doers, who may be brought to con-
dign Punishment.
Messrs Editors, when began this state
meut, I felt like saying some plain, hard
things and showing from whence this devil
try arose, but knowing the folly aod weak
ness Of the movement aod for what purpose
it was started, have decided to let it pass.
Give us chaoce to show what we can and
will do. AS to ali the statements 1 have
made, ci,e you to the entire Board Of Com
miss,oners of Lee County, AID to the Trustees
of the Sinking Fund. Then, friends, leave
off all these chickering's in aud about our dear
little new bo,n county. Run for Office, you
who will, and We will guarantee to house you
if elected. Yours respectfully,
R. II. CARNES,
Board G. Com. for Lee County.