The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-06-13
If it be true that the members of

advertising medium in Sumter.
If it be true that the members OF
the Dispensary Investigating Commit
tee drew double pay during the session
OF the Legislature they have placed
shemselves in a very awkward posi-
ton. In view of the nature OF the
work in which they were engaged. they
should have been especially carefui 10
keep their hands clean and ieave iio
room for the faintest suspicion 10
saw that we are surprised that the
charge was not Immediately denied IN
an emphatic manner by Chairman Hay
sn behalf of the committee expresses
orr feeling mildly. It may have been
no crime for the committeeman TO
draw double pay, but it was i'll ADVISED
and not in good taste. iais commit
fee had a proftless and tbanhicss duty
10 perform, and it was well known
that the compensation allowed them
dill not begin to pay for the work
1aey were doing, to say nothing Of
the loss they have sustained by the
enforced neglect Of Their private bus1-
ness in conscque1ce ef their service on
the committee, but they should not
have accepted doeolc pay. And by
the same token. it was gcod politics
Tor Candidate Cole Z. Blease tc refuse
so accept double pay.
The Beef Trust has made millions
by feeding filth to their unsuspecting
patrons. but the public will get back
at them now by refusing to purchase
or eat their nauseous and disease
breeding compounds. The exposure Of
their criminal disregard Of the law OF
health and cleanliness will cost them
millions directly and indirectly. It
will be years before the confidence of
the public can be regained, no matter
how great reform they may work IN
their methods.
The proposition that the City Coun-
ell borrow money for the purpose OF
constructing the sewerage system,
without resorting to a bond issue, is,
we believe, not practicable. AS we ul1-
derstand the Law the City Council has
not the legal right to expend, Or au-.
othorize the expenditure, in any one
year OF a greater sum than the income
of the city for that year. Council has
the authority to borrow money Tor
current expenses, pledging the income
of the city for the repayment Of such
loans, but when it becomes necessary
Sto borrow a greater sum than the
current income a bond issue properly
authorized by a vote Of the people at
an election regularly called on a Pc
ton Of the freeholders is necessary.
For these reasons we do not think the
sewerage loan, on the plan suggested,
is feasible.
The members of the investigating
committee owe it to themselves and
their friends that they take notice Of
the charge made by the Columbia
Record that they accepted double
pay for their services. They either
received double pay or they did not
and they could set the matter at rest
with a word If they did accept dou-
Ole pay they should inform the pub
Hc why they did so. They may have
warrant of law for drawing the dou-
bic per diem. and if so they should
make it clear to the public.
The withdrawal Of Hon. NJ. L.
Smith, of Camden. from the race for
Governor snarrows the contest down
30 r. I. Manning and Joel =. Brun-
son, Of Sumter; NJ. F. Ansel, Of
Greenville: Cole L. Blease, Of New
berry, and John T. Sloan, of Colum-
bia. Other candidates may. yet enter
the race, but it is not probable. for
the bushes have been pretty thor
oughly beaten already to flush the
gubernatoria. aspirants. The present
indications are that Mr. Manning will
certainly be in the second primary
and his chances OF winning with a
safe majority are regarded as excel
lent. He is the candidate whose po-
sition is known Of all men and his
record is a guarantee that he will give
the State a clean, honest and busi-
ness-like administration. If this is
not the sort of Governor the people
want, they should not vote for Man
ning.