The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-29

he Ssssser Wasennsan was founded
$50 and the Trse Soatasoz IN 1866
rae sKnecansaas md Soaaaron now aas
tie aomhseed circulation and influence
eaeh os sac old papers, and is mani.
fsstIy she best Advertising medium in
Ssnser.
Thers IS great complaint IN various
parts Ct tsiis county Of a scarcity OF
farm labor and not few farmers are
seriously embarrassed in the conduct
OF their business by their inability to
secure a sufficient number OF hands.
& This was TO have been expected for
credit has been very easy to obtain
this year and hundreds Of last years
lsborers are farming this year on their
own account with The backing Of some
Lien merchant who is willing to take
big risks IN hope of reaping a big pro-
s next fail. The lien 1awshas outlived
is usefulness, the country having long
since ou6groWn the cond; tiens that rem
aered the lien law q necessity and at
the present time it is little short of q
curse. Il fosters and encourages the
undue expansion OF the cotton acreage,
the neglect Of food crops and diversi-
fed farming, the perpetuation Of shift
less methods Of farming and does
great injury to the energetic and sub
stantiaI farmers who are deprived Of
their egiitiimate labor. The land own
ing farmers and the substantial rent.
ing farmers, and this entire section
would be far better off and generally
more prosperous if the lien law were
abolished, and the merchants who now
finance the irresponsible lieners would
N the long Eun be better of, for they
would not have SO much dead loss to
charge up Oh the wrong side Of the
ledger every bad crop year. With the
Ten law abolished farming would be
more Of substantial and reliable
business and less of a risky speculation,
such as il has grown to be as result
of the abuse Of the law.
Russia. nog being prepared to hold
Manchursa against; all eomers, openly
declares her purpose to do so by de-
manding Of China the cession of the.
province. st has been asserted time
and again since tho close Of the Boxer
uprising that Russia would never re-
linquish her hold on Manchuria, but
the foreign minister Of Russia has sue
eseaed in satisfying the other powers
5y svasiFe statements until the grasp
on Manehuria could De so strengthen
ed that Rassia would be in a position
10 make good her claim TO it by force
If any Of Che powers should under
take to dispute the matter. Japan is
the country most vitally interested and
tie cne that viii be most seriously in
iinrad By the permanent occupation OF
ManchEria by Russia and there is great
probability Of was between Japan and
Russia before the matter is finally
settled. Japan alone has not the
strength 10 expeI Russia from Man
churia, but it is believed by many
that j apan would have the moral sup
port, If not the active assistance, OF
England aud the Uhited States in the
event of hostiIties. The Japanese
army and navy have reached a high
state OF efaciency, and, except in point
sef Numbers, the army is said to be the
equal. if notthe superior Of the Russian
army. while the navy is as good as
any IN the world, ship for ship. Con-
seauensly war between Russia and
Japan IN tue far East would be no,
holiday affair.
By The appointments of Gen. Willie
Jones to Ell out the unezpired term Of
the late A. T. Ell. Dukes on the dis
peasary board, Gov. Heyward has
wisely and satisfactorily settled mat
fer that promised to be troublesome
and annoying on account of the horde of
applicants for the place. Since Gen.