Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-04-12

would not spend more than the
levy, and I intend to keep this
promise. The Constitution gives
me the power to make levy to
meet current expenses, and if a
majority of the citizens should
deem it proper to make a levy to
defray these expenses on cash
basis, 1 am willing. Otherwise I
shall keep within the limit of the
levy allowed us by the legislature.
2nd. "The public roads are in a
fearful condition.
I most heartily agree to this, but
1 fear they will continue bad with
the exception of the portions work
ed by the chain gang. I have been
away from home in the rain and
mud the greater pait Of the past
month trying to get overseers ap-
pointed who will have the roads
worked as they should be. My
opinion is, however, that we will
never have much better roads till
we change our system-that is,
make every able-bodied man from
IS to go years of age pay road
tax of about 50, supplement this
by small levy on property, aud
have the roads worked by chaiu-
gang and contractors. If the county
will give me 100 convicts and three
road machines l will turnpike
every road in the county aud even
build bridges. I believe a road
tax of $1.50 and of II mills on
property will do it.
5rd. 1.-The bridge over Horns
Greek demands immediate atten-
ton for the safety of human life"
AS soon as I heard of the condi-
ton of this bridge 1 went to ex-
anime it and tried to have it fixed
then, but could not get any lumber
till this week. 1 received notice
to-day that the lumber is ready
and Mr.. Self will fix it at once.
"4tb. All contracts are adding
from 10 to 80 per cent. over and
above cash value of services rem
dered, and we call special atten-
ton to supplies furnished the
county chain-gang, which are pur-
chased on the same basis"
l will say that this charge cam
not be made against my adminis-
tration. | have tried to buy from
the place most convenient to the
camp, My contracts for supplies
have been strictly on cash basis
with G per cent. added to pay for
the discount, as the law requires
that all claimants shall discount
their claims at the same rate of
interest that the county pays for
borrowed mouey. Whenever l
think that a merchant or claimant
is charging too much for an artl-
Gle l cut the account accordingly.
5.h. "We think it a hardship on
| Jurors and witnesses who are COM
PEELED to attend this court to have
their per diem discounted as ordl-
nary claims as is being done now"
L agree that it is hardship Oh
Jurors and witnesses to have to dis
count their claims; so tits with
| all county officers who have to dis
count their pay. This is only an
other striking evidence that the
county is in debt, but please don't
blame me for this state of things;
I made ueither the debt nor the
levy. We will borrow money in
April to pay court expenses.
9Th. "Information has reached
this jury that the chain-gang gives
entertainments on Saturday nights
and Sunday,pa the hat around
for collections. We recommend
that the chain-gang he not allowed
to have communication with out
side partiee and further recon-.
mend that they do more work and
less play"
This is the portion Of the report
which arouses my righteous in
dignation." I have visited the
chain-gang at least twice q week
since l have been supervisor and [
have never yet seen OF heard any,
thing to indicate that they are not
doing good work or that the pris-
oners are allowed any more priv
ileges than is customary in all
camps where prisoners are kept.
AS to having Saturday night en-
tertainments, Mr.. D. P. Self, the
foreman, says that is absolutely
false. He says that white men
often come to the camp at night to
talk with himself and Mr.. Dorm,
the guard, but he never allows
communication with any of the
prisoners except through himself
or the guard, and that he never al
lows any conduct conflicting with
the rules for governing the prison.
ers. AS to passing around the hat
he informs me that he allows the
convicts to have prayer meeting on
Sunday afternoon. conducted by
some good old colored preacher,
and on one occasion this negro
asked permission to take up a COL
lection among the few spectators
present for the purpose of buying
postage stamps, ETC., for the con-