The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-07-27

he New York newspapers indicate
the trend of popular political opinion
they are not moulders Of sentiment
consequently the unanimity with
which they have come out for Parker
may be taken as sign that they be-
lieye that Parker is the popular can
didasa and has better chance OF elec-
sion than Roosevelt. It is certain
that they believe he viii carry New
York.
ne are prone to give the blessings
we enjoy no consideration, taking
shem as 3 matter of course. But the
troubls that Charleston. Columbia
and spartanbu-g and several other
sosFns in South Carolina, not to men,
Sien hundreds of towns in other places
throughout the country, are having
with Their water supply should cause
tbs people OF Sumter to be more
thankful for the inexhaustihle supply
sof absolutely pure water with which a
benefeens Providence has blessed as
We know of no other town that pos
seses as pure or as abundant supply
Of water. We do not have TO take
our water from sewerage contaml-
mated river nor from some small
stream of doubtful purity that is
liable TO fail in time OF drought.
gus just beneath Us. at a depth
within eagy reach, there is stream
of pure water howing through ma
sural filter of white sand and gravel
whose volume no one has or can esti-
mate. We say it is inexbaustible for
Is has never failed or shown dimuni-
tion in the ssverest droughts during
the mere than ten years the water
works have been in operation. When
sarfacs wells have gone dry and ordi-
5nary pumps have failed the six six
n:h welisat the pumping station have
never failed TO yield a constant supply
even when the pumps have been kept
going day and night. The Sumter
Water Company has no monopoly OF
this water supply and any manufao-
tory that requires large and unfail-
ing supply Of pure water ready filter
ed for immediate use can obtain it in
Sumter by merely boring wells
shreueB the upper strata Of clays TO
the water bearing stratum of sand.
Sumter, though distant from any river
ser large stream, is better supplied
witt water for domestic and manufac-
nring uses than any other town in
the State. and if we possessed no
other advantage cger other South Car
olina towns our water supply alone
would ent;tle this city to the consid-
Grafton OF those who seek place of
residence or a location for business.
The projected railroad from South
pert, N. c., via Conway to Sumter
means much to this city and to the
section of country it will traverse.
f the proposed road follows an air
line from Conway it will cross the
Northeastern Railroad near Lake City
or Scranton, bisect the Puddin
Swamp section and cross Black River
NOT far from the Brick Church. It
viii open up a region now almost en-
tirely without railroads and will make
this city the market for thousands OF
prosperous farmers whose trade now
goes to other nearer towns, which,
under existing conditions, are more
convenient. The proposed railroad
will alter conditions and Sumter will
be put into close touch with a section
that is now tributary to other towns.
For these reasons the business men
and property owners of Sumter should
not oaly welcome but should do their
utmost TO lend encouragement and
substantial aid to the enterprising cit
izens Of Conway who are the promo
tors and financial sponsors OF this un-
dertaking. While it is true shat Sum-
ter now has excellent railroad facili-
ties, better, probably, than any other
towE in the State, and Conway is iso-
lated at the terminus of an unimpor-
tans branch of the Atlantic Coast
Lane, nevertheless, we are as conf
dent, as it is possible to be, that the
proposed road, when completed, as we
are assured it will be at 90 distant
day, will be of much more benefit to
Sumter than it can be to Conway.
Sumter should not only welcome the
new road but our people should get
together and work for it with all the
energy and enthusiasm shat they
possess.