The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-25
THE LEE COUNTY MOVEMENT.
Some of the Reasons for Establishing
the New County.

Mr.. Editor: All honor and credit
and thanks to the Waterman and
Southron and The Daily Item for the
privilege of their columns to discuss
the pros and cons in the matter OF
dividing the county. Your offer IS
liberal and generous and the wlsest
move that has been made in the matter
and calculated to accomplish more
than cententiousness, slurs and sneers,
or strained attempts at wittlclsms,
which only engender bitterness; and
the people on this side, at least, will
appreciate your broad courage.
Now, over this side, it is well known
that I was, abinitio, opposed to any
cutting of our old Game Cock coun-
tY and fought the move, and even up
to the initiation of this last move was,
to say the least, reluctant. But, upon
discovering the wide favor and popu-
larity with which it has been received
bv the greater portion Of our people l
concluded to give more study and pom
der more seriously upon the "Why-
ness of the Wherefore that this
was thus, and will attempt to give my
conclusions.
From the day when South Carolina
was Province under the Lords
Proprietors even unto this day as pop
ulation and property values have IN
creased, the trend has been towards
smaller and more compact territorial
management, simply as measure of
political economy.
Our State, in the writer's own time,
was divided into % Districts. Some
of these were again subdivided by spe-
cial act of assembly; as in the case of
Sumter and Clarendon, once forming
one district. But, as population and
property rapidly increased and values
enhanced and prosperity possessed the
land and people, and facilities became
more greatly needed, and time became
more precious, a special provision was
Incorporated into our new constitution
for the formation OF new counties,
upon certain conditions, provisions
and stipulations, to meet this growing
necessity of the people for greater con-
venience and facilities In the manage
ment of their district or county affairs,
until there are now nearly double the
counties in our State.
1t has, for some years, been dawn
ing upon many Of our people on this
side of Sumter county and in the in
cluded sections of Darlington and Ker-
shaw, that the time had arrived for
them too to set up house keeping"
for themselves for the same above rea-
sons, and they have become convinced
that it is feasible, practical and q ne
cessity. They have noted that there
lies, on tie undulating and fertile
hills at the head of Black River, a pic
turesque growing and prospering town,
centrally located and willing and ready
to make fair and handsome donation
towards obviaring increased taxation
In the formation of the new govern
ment if she is made the county seat.
Who can blame her for so commend
Al. an ambition.
TIns has the new county idea grown
77in yltsSHlarity and developed into a
wiGespread determination to material
: ize ct at tie polls. So much for the
reasons for voting for Lee county. As
to DR.. Cheyne,s communication /
will take IL. seriatim, and answer.
First. that 7 too have been searching
for knowledge amens the Lee county
onnosers. whv they are 50 reluctant
az we shoald secede. Sumter once
Ses-eg2r approYed tie right OF seces-
: s;aa and fought CALAMITY in It's de-
Yence and the only reason given now
for resisting that night is identical
-s;t,, taat Wish influenced the. north
7n rae bv eeee, namely, t3e loss OF
r-;c5 tributary territory and conse-
cnen4 loss Of Pellf Pap and Power
This loss is readily conceded. out Is no
Tsl;d reason why 4 family. political or
domestic. shoCld not divide and set up
=: house keeping for themselves; when
xtav 90 decide and demand solely and
o1Iv What the law assigns them, wlsA-
ont antagonism or contention by 'he
Dol;fical or domestic parent on mere
.sfaifs5 Grounds. Like nay friend, tie
Hon. Dave Durant, | too lave peen
seceded from, domestically. MauSTe
ali aronment and disapproval, bat my
1roee9v -11 are hourishing and | M no1
sfsryino or dead. Sumter Will retall
her numerous railways, radia5lng ane lr
reaching to the uttermost parts OF Vn' y
Land She will retain her marts o
+rada and manufacturing industries
and banks. She retains every lten
Of county property and only pf9pol 9ol
4ionate share of county lndepteones
Sosts'C Ice COUNTY assuming her full quota
GU ~,;l1 have less COur