The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-04-20
ward stem either.

provements in that line pushed as
rapidly as our means will allow. [
desire to call attention to our Opera
House, with reference to safety in
case of fire. Adequate fire escapes,
with ample exits to same should be
provided. I recommend to your con-
sideration the plans now before the
Council for this purpose. We may
never need fire escapes, but in the
event we should, the question Of cost
would not receive thought. The life
Of one little child, lost for lack of
this precaution, would be of more
value thsn the means necessary to pro-
vide for safety. Suppose we should
have. on the other hand. even on
small scale, such horrible holocaust
as that of the Chicago Theatre of
December last. The very thought is
terrifying. but it is not impossible.
This matter should receive attention
before the School Commencement sea-
son is upon Us. Realizing its i'm
portance and at the same time appre-
ciaSing the vast amount OF wc.k that
! is now on hand for the standing Com
mittes on Public Work, with your
consent, l will refer this to special
committee of. three to examine into
and make reports at our next regular
meeting. OF the Committee on Pub
lie Works I ask that you will at an
early date test the pressure Of our
Water System. Complaints Of defec-
tive service have been frequent, and we
should see to it that We get what we
are paying for ard what the Water
Company claim they desire to give US.
Ample protection is what we should
have and we must be satisfied with
nothing short of it. Being an advo-
cate of Municipal ownership OF puo-
lie utilities, sincerely trust negotia
tions for the purchase of the Water
Plant may be opened in the near fu-
ture. Read the contract carefully,
study the cost of the Plant, see the
enormous rentals we are forced to
pay-with the knowledge Of the fact
that these rentals are ever increasing
in an inverse ratio to the amount in
vested by the Company-acquaint
yourselves thoroughly with an opinion
of Messrs. Lee & Noise, Attorneys,
upon certain matters pertaining to the
system. We do not court litigation,
but we must have the protection for
which We pay. The development and
progress of Sumter depends, III
great measure, upon owning and con-
trolling it's Water System.
Turkey Greek, the principal drain
age of our city demands our Immediate
thought and action before the sum
mer's heat. It should in my Judg-
ment be ,wideEed and deepened. This
conclusion is arrived at not from mere
conjecture, but from practical study
of the canal from one end to the other,
and I am glad to say that the survey
lust completed by Mai. W. Loring
Lee, upholds me in every particular
The result would be beneficial to the
health and comfort Of our citizens.
Being q county drain as well as that
of the city, the county officials through
Supervisor W. H, Seals, made a lib
eral proposition which, being already
accepted, should now be acted upon
in this very important improvement.
The Police and Sanitary Committee
should familiariZe themselves with
conditions and requirements coming
under their special attention, and
thereby he enabled to give intelligent,
active oversight to the matters placed
in their hands, and insuring the
maintenance of the high standard of
efficiency and discipline heretofore at
tanned. Do not lose sight of the fact
that this committee is as important
as auv we have, and the rigid en-
forcement of our'Hygienic ordinances
suggested from time to time by that
very important adjunct to our city
government, the City Board Of Health,
will rebound to the good Of our citi-
zens and to your own glory.
Study the condition oe affairs at our
cemeteries and after consulting with
our Board of Health, make such re-
Communications, as in your Judgment
seem best, for the abatement of certain
nuisances complained of at those
localities. Having the keeper of the
cemetery vested with police authority,
is in my Judgment essential to en-
forcement of Sanitary laws, especially
that concerning interments.
Too much cannot be said of the re-
sponsibility of the Committee on Fire
Department. 1t is your duty at once
to take an inventory of the property
of this department, noting conditions
of same, and from time to time, max
ing such suggestions and recommends
tions to Council as will prove benefi-
cial, not only to the protection of pro-
perty, but to the lives of those fire
men taking the hazardous risks so
common at conhagrations.
The Finance Committee will find a
good work in their hands if they guide
US safely and judiciously, permitting
every possible advance and at the same
time saving the city's credit unim-
paired.
One thing more that I must en-
phasize as deserving of immediate
attention, is the City Clerks Office.
Gentlemen, this Office is disgrace to
civilized community. It should be
enlarged to meet all requirements and
it should be fitted up with hre-proof
receptacles for the large amount Of
books and valuable records now on
hand and constantly increasing. It
should be furnished respectfully at
least and in manner to create favor
able impressions upon citizens and
strangers who necessarily call there on