The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-12-25
course of few years the entire coun-

ties would be traversed.
Some legal mind has suggested that
we could not impose or collect such
a tax. Does not the law now provide
that any one liable to road duty can
paw a Communication tax in lieu of
working9 All ablebodies males of Ger
tain prescribed ages are required to
perform a certain amount of road
duty, and I certainly think substitu-
ton of one form Of payment for anoth-
er is permissible. I am aware that at
this time agriculture is in a very
depressed condition and other callings
are languishing on account Of the
depressed condition of this the most
important of all occupations. And 1T
might seem unwise to increase the
burden of taxation even to accomplish
this much desired result, yet [ contend
that it is economy to impose a small
burden when the results 60 to amelio-
rate the conditions of such a large
class of people. Bad roads, allowed to
continue bad, impose the heaviest tax
we pay. The prosperity of every sec
ton is completely handicapped by the
bad roads, and so important do con
slider this matter that l believe it to
be the duty of the State to assist its
citizens. in road building by furnish
ing her convicts to work roads, just as
she has done in building our State
colleges and other State institutions.
I trust you will consider this matter
well before we adjourn.
In regard to the condition of agrl-
culture over the State, Mr.. Thompson
reports: "Our efforts as farmers have
not been blessed with liberal har-
vest; freshets in our streams and an
favorable seasons combined to render
this the most disastrous year many OF
US have ever witnessed. Short crops
of cotton, low price for it, and an
almost entire failure in our corn and
other food crops brings condition OF
affairs never before known among US.
And in some localities of the State
there is actual want among some OF
our people, especially the laboring and
tenant class adjacent to our rivers and
streams, where the destruction of food
crops was almost complete; but while
we have this distress and discouraglng
condition, it could have been worse. -
Liz: 0Id1SS uOIO az OSOA AiSSo114S -.
night when several addressed the audi
ence on the benefits of the Grange.
The Grange reassembled Thursday at
1870, when an election was held for
officers to serve for the next two years.
The following were elected: ". K.
Thompson, W. NJ. j. J. Shaw, O. /: J.
W. English, L. G.; W. ". Player, S.
T.: J. F. Boykin, A. D.; L. L. Rol-
lins, Oh. II. J. Boykin, Tr. !; ". A.
James, Sec. L. P. Garter, G. Z. !:
Mrs. S. W. Thompson, P; Miss NJ.
A. Gibson. F.; Mrs. G. Z. English,
c.; Mrs. L. Gibson, L. A. D. Execu-
tive Committee. F. L. Davis, j. j.
Shaw, J. F. Mathews, ". K. Thomp-
son, ex oficio.
During the afternoon of the second
day the officers were impressively in
stalled by W. r. Remington. assisted
by j. E. Severance and Mrs. Lizzie
Player.
More interest was manifested at this
meeting than has been seen for sew
erai years, and one is impressed with
the fact that the Grange, the best Of
all farmers organizations, is again
growing and will spread over the coun
try.
The Grange closed after most
pleasant and profitable meeting, to
meet at Bishopville on the second
Wednesday of December, 1902.
Patron.