The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-12-11

| Ioo Sumeer Wofchm0n wNs founded IA
X Uooo and the True Southroa In 1866. The
VuosAmos and Southroa now has the COM
otped articulation and influence Of both OF
o1e "a papers. and is msnifsstly the bss,
01voesising medium In sumter.
Tho action Of the city school board
. a incfeasins the salaries OF the teach
ors In the city schools meets with the
approval OF the patrons of the schools.
~ has been admitted NY all who have
sven the matter any consideration
That th& pay Of the teachers has been
inadequate for several years. owing to
che largely increased cost OF living. A
saiary Of $40 month i've years ago
>nabied teacher to live In more CON-
~, snan $50 a month will now. and
+ enc Increase to s+5 month a few
9esrs ago and to $50 at the last meet
Sns sof the board was as little as the
bcari could do In the circumstances
and Rs Just to the teachers. The s,mat.
/, Ger of the teachets' salaries was refer
\ rcd to by the Item and an increase
>rvccated last spring when the teach.
ers were elected. for this year. but at
that time. the board did not see its
WAY clear TO increase the operating
expenses OF the schools. IT Is a mat.
rker for congratulations mt this time.
nowever. that when the matter wa,
a<ain brought to the attention of the
coardl by a petition from the teach
crs. the financial condition of the
schools had soS materially improved
fhat the asked for Increase of salaries
could be- granted to take effect from
the beginning OF the school year.
Ssnrter has school system second to
none In the State and the only way to
<n,iintain Its standard Of efficiency is
70 continue the policy the board has
pcrsued for many years-pay good,
salaries and keep, thoroughly COM
Dctent teachers.
,s The committee Of the chamber of
eommerce that will go to washington
IN the interest OF an additional ap-
prcpriatSon for the postofIice will
hsvs no dimculty I'm making a. con-
vincing showing before the public
building committee that 1t win be ut
teriy impossible to erect a postoftice
that VIII be adequate to the needs of
ehiS city with the amount now avail
able. From the $4,000 appropriated
by the last congress must be deduct
ed the cost Of the lot and other ex-
pcnses incidental TO the preparation
of plans and awarding the contract.
leaving approximately $4,000 for
che building itself. Fer this sum II is
/. possibie to erect a building that will
be equal to the present needs OF the
pcstoGice. but there will be no pro-
n vision for the rapid and steady
\ expansion OF business. The business
OF the local postotice has practically
dorbled every Ave years for the past
Gftcen years and the growth was
never greater than at present. It Is
fcassonable to conclude that the
lsrowth OF business will continue at
+ Approximately the same ratio. and
lsthis being true. a building designed
Tor pres<nt needs will be outgrown
before i h completed and within Ave
years will be too small by one-half.
yhe showing that can be made should
convince the men who compose the
public building committee that II will
ncs be GOOD business nor economy to
fsrend $4,000 on "a postofiice for sum
tee that viii be inadequate for the
Srensoctlcn OF the business for which
a. Is Intended, and the request for a
rensonabie additional appropriation
should appeal to their business jrdg-
ment. The efforts of the ,ocal com
n1ttee. backed by the influence OF
congressnan Lever and Senators TIL
man ard Latimer should accomplish
the desired end. Sumter !, OF maxi
1ng an anreasonable or cxs-sv. garit
request In respect to the Iostr,:icc
md II congress can oe brni,at 10
view business-like proposition IN a
business-iike manner the additional
appropriation VIII be voted without
hasslins.
The keynote of the railroad situa-
oon Is struck by the resolutions intro
euced at tie last meeting Of the
Chamber OF Commerce by Mr.. II. J.
4cIAurin. Jr.. and unanimously adopt
ed after full discussion. what the