The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-04-29
a REMARKABLE CITY.
PeIzer with 1000 inhabitants.
No Municipal Government and
Everything Orderly.
From Abbeville Press and Banner.

| L
Having recently returned from
visit TO the most wonderful city in the
world, I imagine description of some
of it's points Of interest would be enter
| tanning to your practical readers. Day
dreamers will find nothing congenial in
this stirring, yet silent, wondrous
city whose motto is Labor is genius. "
I refer to Pelzer-a city of $1,000
seven thousand nhabitants-with no
Mayor, mo municipal government,
few policemen whose duties seem to
be in name only. Think of a city of
this size with neither lawyer or editor:
In fact lawyers, editors, actresses anc
negroes are not allowed domicile in
this city.
Besides the four magnificent textile
mills, equipped with the most modern
machinery and up to date labor saving
appliances, the tremendous dams and
power house, there is much to see and
admire. The public buildings, church
es, hotels, bank, graded school build
ings, armory and lyceum are credit
to this great corporation. No longer
will the voice of the demagogue, cry
ing, corporations have no soul,
fatigue our indignation. The graded
school, the armory and lyceum are an
everlasting, undying refutation of
this cheap. bid foH the favor of the
masses. The armory also speaks for
itself-it is there that one hundred
young men are drilled nightly in the
manual of arms. Should q foreign
foe invade our land, or even threaten
to do so, Pelzer's citizen soldiery and
her splendid band would be ready to
march in thirty minutes to the de-
fense of cur country. 1t is very fine
and sentimental to sit by a comfortable
fire and talk of the wickedness of war
and Of soldiers; but when danger is
actually at hand those very men are
rejoiced to have the military near to
protect their families and property.
So, in the piping times of peace, the
great intellect and far seeing soul of
the kingly man who directs the
destinies of this busy city prepares
against the cruel chance of war.
The graded school is free to all
Trained teachers are employed by the
corporation. The finest kindergarten
training in tie State is furnished the
children of the Pelzer operatives. The
corporation has had this school in
operation ever since the opening of
the mills and now the stockholders
are reaping splendid dividends from
educated labor. I met the teacher of
the fifth grade, Miss Estelle Bradley
of Union, educated in Sumter. Owing
to lack of time, being in the city only
one day, / failed to meet the other
teachers. All are we'll prepared for
their work. The principal, Prof. Tuck
er, is self-made young man, being
scholarship graduate of the Citadel.
The lyceum is Pelzer's crown of
glory. 1t is a handsome substantial
building to begin with. Every night
in the week, save the Sabbath, its
doors are open to the seekers after
knowledge. All the first class daily
papers and standard textile and literary
magazines are there. / noticed Nun
sey's which is devoted to the smart set
and millionaires generally, but this
wise corporation has deep insight
into human nature-it appreciates the
fact that GO cat may and does like to
look at a king The walls are lined
with standard fiction, history, etc.
Comfortable chairs and a glowing coal
fire render the many games such as
crockinole, etc., enjoyable to the young
people.
Once business man gains entrance
| to Pelzer his fortune is made. The
pay roll must run far up into the
thousands. The people live and dress
we'll and have the money wherewith
| to crafty every reasonable wish. In
Pelzer life seems to move with silver
| wheels upon il golden track. Some of
| the operatives with whom talked are
accumulating money and have it in
! vested at interest.
Naturally with her water power,
Pelzer is in hilly broken country,
yet the driveways and sidewalks are
the best of their kind. They are built
up of native rock or stone as the Eng
lish say. Upon Main street these
streets are in places three or four feet
higher than the road and rock wall
on residence side of same height
covered with ivy. This is pleasing to
systematic, order loving person,
and IN dumb, yet eloquent tones it
tells of a master mind who guides and
directs with a paternal care the affairs
of such a large population.
We have been educated to look with
horror upon the mere idea of the one
man power, but in Pelzer its benefcent
aspect alone is visible. Whatever
comes in contact with Capt. Smythe
prospers, be it man or enterprise.
| Several smaller mills have eked out a
precarious existence until he became
| interested, and ever after they have
been upon dividend-payins bust
ness 1t would be good policy in
those who have stock in non-paying
mills to entreat this "Great White