The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-03-11
The Lexington Dispatch.
"Wednesday, March II, 1908.
Random Thoughts.
s.As to Free Ferries.


By reference to the presentment
Of the grand jury, recently publish
ed in these columns, it will be seen
that that body recommends the es-
tablishment of two free ferries on the
Ssluda river. We respectfully beg to
question the wisdom of such prop
osition for thereason that ferries, free
or otherwise. will in no way give the
people of the two sections relief from
the untoward condition under which
they are suffering and over which
they have absolutely no control.
We respectfully submit in the first
place, that ferries are not what the
people want, and in the second, they
will in no ways meet the demands OF
modern dirt road travel. We al
ready have numerous ferries on the
Ssluda river which are free to certain
court officials and We believe to per-
sons in general, while going to and
from church, and yet the experience
Of those people, as we'll as that of all
others who in the course of business
or other affairs are called upon to use
the ferries, is unanimous in the
verdict that at certain seasons of the
year the river, is impossible by reason
of high water and it remains in this
swollen condition for varying lengths
of time. we sll know this to be the
ease. Again, it is an impossiblity to
keep theroads near the entrance to and
exit from the ferry in anything like
good condition during the rainy sea-
son except by the lavish expenditure
of public money on account Of the
spongy and springy nature of the
soil there existing. Should the Com
missioners decide, as recommended
by the grand jury, to establish the
two ferries the same serious objec-
tions to them, which now exists, and
which will continue to exists, against
the private ferries, would still remain.
Simply making them free would not
in the least con6ne tie mad rushing
waters OF the food within their nor
NAL channel nor would it prevent
them from from overlapping their
banks and rendering the ferries USE
less, for the time being, for crossing
purposes. This is condition which
actually exists and is fully recognized
and understood by all whose business
calls them to use these ferries for the
transportation of their products to
market or for other purposes.
Once more ferries, free or other
wise, are relicts of the past. They
have, like the old horse, served their
day AID generation we'll and, like
him, should be turned out to die.
They are not at all in keeping with
the progress of the times and are
not at all suitable for the prompt and
expeditions transportation of the
commodities of one section of the
county to the other. The delays oc-
casioned by their use are vexatious
and oftentimes accomplished with
imminent danger to life and property.
They are also costly, requiring the
immediate attendance of one or more
employees and the outly of consid-
erable sum of money to keep them
in safe repair and together with
other necessary expenses which must
be reckoned in the estimate of cost.
What the people need, and want
they want and should by all the rules
of right, and justice have is good,
substantial free bridge; one that can
be crossed at any stage of the water
with perfect safety. Nothing less
will satisfy their demands, nothing
less will satisfactorily meet their
necessities. This bridge can be built
at a comparatively small expense. A
small levy for say two or three years,
would be sufficient to provide the
means to build the bridge and the
people would not feel the expense.