The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-25
DISCUSSING LEE COUNTY.
Mr.. DuPre Favors the New County, but
Would Not yniure the Old.

Mr.. Editor: l have read the two
communications in your issue of the
/ 18th inst. for and against the forma-
tion of Lee county.
That by DR.. Cheyne is the same ar
gument that was used against the
! formation of all new counties in the
State. with the exception of Hampton
county and that was political neces-
sity at that time, in order to give the
whites now in that county some show
ing over the black horde that so large
ly predominated in Beaufort county.
Mr.. Durant simply begs the ques-
tion. Like him, I can say that Sum
ter county is very dear to me, the
bones of my kindred liein Sumter city.
and at Bishopville, at which place [
spent number of my boyhood years.
But this is mere statement that does
not weigh an atom in deciding ques-
tion, that I believe is best for my fell
low man. No man has the right to
defeat public measure that would be
of benefit to his friends where he is not
injured in doing so. If he lets such
sentiments govern him, he is not safe
man with the ballot. The people
around Bishopville need new county.
Some of them above there live thirty
miles from Sumter. That is long
trip to take to attend to their public
and private duties, let alone the ex-
pense incident thereto and fatigue of
travel by private conveyance. Mr..
Durant has shown that the tax rate of
new counties is less than the old coun-
ties, and the town of Bishopville has
given the new opera house Ia very sub
stantial b1ilding) for court house.
Now where is the bug-a-boo Of high
taxes. The statement that it would
leave Sumter county irregular, is
wasted argument. All the States and
counties are irregular in form, with a
few exceptions, as we'll as the Congress
sional Districts. But what has that
got to do with the prosperity of either
county? It is almost an insult to say
that Sumter city would be injured by
the new county Her merchants are
broad and liberal, and can extend the
lines of their business into several
counties just as she is doing today.
County and State lines, don't keep
down city's prosperity. Columbia is
on a rock with poor water facilities,
yet we see how fast she is growing and
extending her trade. So it is with
Atlanta and other progressive cities.
Charleston is dead place comparative
with her ability. There should be no
false sentiment about this matter.
We all love the old county but in this
day of progress changes must take
place. Family ties are strong, but
separation has to come however painful
it is. It is so decreed. The advocates of
Lee county are good and true men. In
seeking to better their condition they
are not trying to injure others, and
all should look at it in that way.
County lines can make no difference
between those who love and respect
each other. No more than different
creeds can do. The people of Lee
county would be just as good friends
to Sumter, as they are now. Nothing
would be changed except their public
duties. Then why fight them when
they are trying TO help themselves.
The ties already formed between US
all will last till death. They would
90 to Sumter in distress as freely, as
She would 60 to them. Let each man
in the prescribed limits of Lee coun-
ty study this question we'll, and cast
his ballot for or against the measure
as he thinks best for his public inter
est, then when the ballots are counted
on the 22d day of October, it is found
that the county has won or lost in a
free untrammelled fight, let ali inter
ested accept the result in good faith
Jas. E. DuPre.
Pisgah, Sc, Sept. %.