The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-01-02
Those who Lack Sens
The Columbia Record says:

who have sense enough to appreciate the I'M
mense benefits all South Carolina will derive
from the success Of the exposition should cO-
ant be sSh
Systematic work at what? The systematic
work OF calling names? ..
The admission that zone city would receive
greater portion Of the immense benefits" of
the Exposition suggests an equitable plan OF
levying the assessment for Chsrleston's big
show. Charleston is eminently practicable,
as is shown by the way she has dealt With
Abbeville In the past, and we feel quite sure
that II Charleston was not to receive the
lions share OF the advantages Of the proposed
appropriation she would certainly be willing
to take practical view OF the matter.
Has Charleston ever proposed or voted for
an appropriation for any county show7 Has
Charleston ever shown herself friendly to the
country. people, except In the reelection Of
Governor McSweeney? Did Charleston not
defeat the taking OF the State census Tin 1886,
we believe It was) that she might continue
TO hold seats In the House Of Represen tatives,
to which she would not be entitled under the
new. or proposed census7 "
It being admitted that Charleston, cher
merchants, her business men and her hotels)
will receive greater benefit than the coun.
try districts. then let the Legislature appoint
committee to ascertain how much the dif.
ferent counties (their merchants, their bust.
ness men and their hotels), will be benefited.
II Charleston, (her merchants. her business
men, and her hotels) should get, say, thous-
and times more benefit from the Exposition
than Pickens and Ooonee. then make the tax
levy on the property in those counties in pro-
portion to the assumed benefits to be derived
Further, If 1t should be determined that
Charlestons big show, (like Atlanta's big
show,) should greatly inture counties like
Abbeville, (their merchants, business men
and hotels,) by taking from them half the
trade Of single season, then lei sufficient
levy be made on Charleston to reimburse the
losses resulting TO the country districts In
consequence Of drawing trade from them to
that city. .... .r.
There is nothing like being fair. Country
gudgeons need not be buildozed or called
names. 1t Is not customary In polite society
to be dlsrespectful to interiors. -.
If the Charleston Exposition is good thing,
Its advocates ought to be smart enough to
make It plain to the average citizen that good
results will follow, without calling country
people fools In case they do not eee as the
Wise men do. They are endowed with at
least modicum Of common sense, and
while some Of them may be willing to tax
their own poverty stricken agricultural con.
stituencies for big ostentatious scheme. in
which the benefits are admittedly uneven,
yet those who have sense enough to see
things as they are. and believe In justice and
fair play need not be called names. In order
to induce them to misappropriate public
money, 1t would be better for sensible men
to appeal to their sense, or In case there is
not plausible reason, then appeal to
their good nature, or 10 their gener.
osity. Sensible men have advantage
over fools and narrow minded men,
and wise men ought to be smart enough
to present the excellencies OF their cause in
such way as TO convince simple country
fools.
Those who have little or no sense,
may not, uninstructed, have minds broad
enough to vote away the money Of their con.
stituents on q chimerical scheme where It is
admitted that the taxes would be equal, but
where the smaller benefits are to come to the
country. Gudgeons may be bulldozed into
wrong doing, but 1t is wiser to convince
them or to persuade them.
Wise men may convince very simple peo.
pie, and bulldozers may sometimes succeed,
but an apparent effort to appeal to the van
ity or the reason Is the best way to
control fools and narrow minded men.
Wise men, realizing the lack Of wisdom on
the part Of others, do not generally seek 10
gain their cooperation by calling them hard
names.
Politicians, who have an object in view
seldom seek to gain that object by exhibi
tions OF selfconceit, and rarely adopt the
methods OF trying TO take the conceit out OF
others.
It may be wise and right for delegates tc
the General Assembly to vote away Abbe
vllle's money, 30 that our trade may be in
jured for year, but we cannot see the justice
Of the double wrong.
II the Charleston Exposition is to benefit
Abbeville, we would be glad II the wise gen
tlemen. who think 30, would give us some
data. The facts before US show plainly tina,
the Charleston Exposition will not benefit
Abbeville. Spending our money and taking
away portion OF our business for year, is 9
strange way to benefit US. II we have toe
much money, and If we would be better of
by temporary reduction Of business, please
enlighten us.