The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-29
Good Roads Convention

house SdtuTQdy III ISSpOuSS w GuG Cdll
published recently inviting a meeting
to consider the matter of improving
the highways of the county.
The meeting was called to order by
Comfy Supervisor VIM. II. Scale, VINO
explained the object of the meeting,
and nominated Hon. Rich'd. I. Man
ming for Chairman, of the meeting.
Senator Manning was unanimously
elected. On taking the chair he
spoke briefly on the great importance
of the meeting, and declared that the
question of good roads was one that ad-
mitted of no argument, except in
favor of it. All were alike agreed, as
there is no one but who is in advocate
of better public highways.
Col. John M Knight was elected
The Chairman introduced as the
first speaker Mr.. j. Arthur Banks, of
ST. Matthews, Orangburg county,
who delivered highly interesting ad-
dress upon the subject of good roads.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Banks
splendid address Chairman Manning
extended the hearty thanks of the
meeting to him for his able and help
full remarks.
The meeting was thrown open for
free and full discussion of the subject,
and Hon. A.. K. Sanders was called
on. Mr.. Sanders said he was much in
terested in the address of Mr.. Banks
and heartily agreed with him. In his
opinion, the only way to have good
roads was BY taxation but he is unal-
terably opposed to issuing bonds. He
favored one mill tax by the legis-
lature, to start with, and have 1T
gradually increased. Go slow at first,
and after that there will be no trouble,
and no objection to the tax would
ever be heard.
Capt. R. j. Brownfeld was called
upon next, and in opening his re-
marks he read an article from the
Century Magazine on "Our Common
Roads, I" as bearing on the very sugges-
tive speech of Mr.. Banks. He gave
some estimates and figures as to the
cost to improve the roads in his own
township, Providence, which were
very interesting.
Col. Altalnont Moses spoke next and
said that "a tax of one mill year
would do very little good. The only
way is to issue bonds and establish a
commission of first class men to have
charge of building the roads, thus
taking the matter out of politics. He
thought it perfectly safe to issue $780,
600 of bonds at per ceut. for thirty
years. The trouble with taxation is
that it is too uneven. Can see no
argument against bonded indebted
ness. It is cheaper than a floating
debt. This vas aptly illustrated. Col.
Moses answered a number OF ques-
tions asked by Capt. Brownfeld, as. to
issuance of bonds and creation OF
sinking fund
Mr.. E. ". Dabbs was next called
on, and suggested icese tax on all
the owners of vehicles Of every kind.
Put good men in charge of the work
and see that it is done, whether by
bond issue or otherwise.
MI. Neill O'Donnell said he had
been much interested in what had
been said. He was afraid, however,
if he waited until these good roads
we're built by a small tax that ne
would never see them. Would favor
bonding tie county to build road,
as nearly an air line as possible,
radiating from Sumter north, south,
east and west, forty miles all told.
After that was built, then others
could be looked after.
Mayor A. B. Stuckey, is heartily
in favor oil issuing bonds. Thought
nothing else would answer for our I'M
mediate necessities.
Mayor Stuckey was called to the
chair and Senator Manning took the
floor. He said the subject was one
that he had been interested in for
years. That this meeting should never
adjourn without doing something de-
finite. Thought that bond issue, with
out going into full discussion Of the
question, quite questionable
method OF raising the money. Why
are our roads in the condition they
areg For one reason the woodworking
in times past has been perfect farce.
People would not, or did not, work
them. Then came the chain gang,
which was good as far as it went.
The chain gang is not competent to do
all the work. There was too much
of it. Then road machines were
DOuSnG, d.nG Gu1S was A1ouOy w 0ii
spent, but was inadequate. Very
few people pay the commutation road
tax, and none of them work the road.
He offered tie following resolutions
which were taken up in detail and dis.
cussed thoroughly by Messrs. Neill
O'Donnell, r. J. Brownfeld, E. W.
Dabbs, ". B. Boyle, and others, after
which they were adopted, with amend
ments to them as originally read:
Resolved, lst. That it is the sense
and earnest desire and demand of the
citizens of Sumter county in conven-
tion assembled that the Supervisor,
with the advice and assistance of the
County Commissioners, should prompt
ly take the necessary steps to appoint
overseers and warn those who are liable
to road duty and who have not paid
the communication road tax, to per
form the road duty as provided
by law.
I'd. That an annual levy be made
Oh property of the county that will
raise tie sum of S., 900 for permanent
road improvements, and that this work
be done sparately from the general
| rood work of the county