The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-25

OooSONo w hASSp 0p'
the position of county seat and may
also retain all the gentlemen of lega
acumen who haven't the astuteness e
move over to the Bantam City. =
AS to the shape of the old county II
may be. in some aspects, procrustlan,
but unfortunately neither the constl-
tuition on any statute bearing there
on provides for or prescribes any par
ticular form, shape or picture, but
leaves those dissatisfied with their
shape the same privilege Of reshaplng
themselves. It surely will work nc
more hardship or inconvenience upon
those who reside in the handle to
90 to Sumter or to do as they have
always done, in all respects, than be-
fore the Lee county lines were run;
Mere surveyors lines and metes ana
bounds are no obstacle or bar to trade
and commerce, or other intercourse;
We are not moving off anywhere and L
have heard no word inimical to Sum
ter or single adverse comment made
regarding her.
With all due Difference to Dr..
Cheyne, who owns very valuable
plantation on the bluff Of Black river,
/ would ask him if any "wide awake
farmer would give as much for Oswe-
90 lands today if they were situated
IL miles from "the largest market
town. or in other words would not
ssany wide awake farmer" or other
buver. give more for DR.. Cheyne's
lands today were Bishopville, s miles
distant. market town of size and note.
as is Sumter, with turnpiked road
thereto. Does not proximity to mar
ket affect land values in an increasing
or decreasing ratio until entirely be-
vond it's influence? Just in the same
ratio as might be illustrated by contlg-
uity and propinquity to and remoteness
from some heat producer? Is miles OF
turnpike road sufficient to destroy all
that influence? Put that question IN
that square cut shape to that wide
awake farmer and hear his answer.
Turnpiked roads offer facilities with
out any rails because they overcome
distance and friction which compre-
hends time and cost, and even without
turnpikes proximity answers the same
purpose in measure. All our lands
are more valuable than when cotton
brought II and 15c, greatly owing to
modern commercial facilities. Increase
those facilities to the market town and
the syllogism is sound that concludes
values will increase.
If joining the "maiority of your
is good ring rule" the
definition has been wonderfully chang
ed. "Ring'' in South Carolina poll
tical parlance signifies to "cabal, !" to
unite in small party to promote
private views by intrigue. ;" Ii there
is any 'ring'' caballing Or intriguing
it is not on this side the lines.
don't know who fears that "some
little X roads will start up as county
seat, - but there is very strong. ten
dency towards small counties and we
doubt not but that DR.. Cheyne himself
would very complacently regard and
very favorably consider any movement
to establish a county seat contiguous
to his own plantation, say at Gregg's
X Roads or st. Charles, and place
higher values on his already fertile
acres, and contend for the enhance
ment solely upon the grounds of prox-
unity to the county seat and pros
pective market town.
The Doctor says he hopes that
Bishopville may grow and prosper and
overflow with milk and honey or any
other juice she may prefer" Bishop
vile has her full share of milk now,
as we can testify, and doubtless honey
too and other sweets, but it is that
same flow of 'juice" that the projected
Lee County furnishes that Sumter is
so 10th to lose and Bishopville will re-
ceive her full quota of that Ito use an
irishism) is the bone of contention
and the cause Of antagonism right
now. The matter of increased taxa
ton in new counties has been disposed
of bv Mr. Durant. in your last issue,
and doubtless he has the data, and
even should our taxes be somewhat
increased it is simple family ques-
ton of finance upon which we are re-
ceivirg some of the cheapest legal
advice we ever got from Sumter.
There are no wild surmising" as
to what Bishopville will become.
solid, substantial growth" is there
now in the shape of brand new, solid
brick and moratar and woodbuildlngs
filed with substantial merchandise, a
bank with substantial demintion
cash. in it, large new livery stables
with substantial live stock, more lots
being sold at substantial figures: more
stores and residences to be built, more
merchants and more population and
more business attracted. We don't
need any teaching about "booms' in
Sumter County, as the Doctor would
know had he been living some years
ago, just where he is now. If there
is any collapse it won't hurt Sumter
this time as she is % miles distant
collapses don't hurt the country any
way. Money only changes hands.
Yes, we Will relieve Sumter of very
many of her canseways and bridges.
but we have superior highways and
will try and select superior highway
men and will make the "good roads
a specially and make our
roads an object lesson and if Sumter
will spare US some sand We'll swap her
some clay for road building and she
.an extend our pixies from our lines
to her city and automobile communica-
ton can be established between the