The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-11-13
Su-nmerton News.
Editor The Manning Times:

Editor The Manning Times:
Being put out OF business for several
weeks subsequent to court week, this
correspondent has been remiss latterlv
in furnishing the news from this sec
ton.
And now, begging your pardon, for
| would remember that you wanted
news rather than opinions, have found
q good subject for consideration. 1t IS
found in the last issue OF THE MAN
NINC: TINES and it is about a new
court house and better roads. This is
an old subject, but one that will last
just as long as the old court house and
the bad roads. So to get rid of one
means the rlddance of the other.
There is no doubt about it, that we
are away behind in both particulars.
It needs only a superficial examina'
ton TO show that our court house IS
very inadequate il it's capacity ana
fittings. 1t is a veritable ire Trap;
\ glance into some OF the offices reveal
records of years open IN pigeon holes'
piled under ables, IN wooden cases etc.
Some of these are necessarily Faluaole,
some could rot replaced at any cost and
all ready as tinder to burn any minute.
The clerks office is the only one at all
isred against fire, and it is now crowd
ed 10 its capacity. This office alone
needs three times the room it now has.
Some OF the others need more room,
and all need fire proof protection for
the papers etc., OF value. This should
be so apparent to all SO as 10 make
the issue one simple of solution. AS to
the upper story, while the seating cap
acity is large enough, the usual ap-
pearance and condition is not inviting
to decent audience. l have no doubt
that just as much justice can be dealt
out IN that court room as IN more
luNurious one, the same for that matter
could be done in yard beneath the
beautiful oaks. 1t is a fact, one that
is worth while considering that when
we are surrounded by squalid, untidy
quarters, noXious air, ETC.. that the
best results of heart and mind are not
attainable, But with pure air, neat
and clean quarters. where good taste
and some culture has left its impress
on the surroundings one naturally feels
uplifted and feels more respect
for himself, his cause and sees
a sharper line OF demarkation between
what is ignoble, criminal, and what is
honest and true. We do not say to
build palace. a good plain structure
is within our reach, and should be seri-
ously considered. There should rot be
a single man who has any affair on re-
cord in that building, but who would be
willing to submit to mere oagatelle
of tax to make it secure.
We of other county towns should have
no objection to this use Of public money
Manning is our County Seat, it is beau
tiful town, centerally located and all
should feel a just pride in it. Of
course we here at Summerton expect
to see our town the County Metropolis
but this does not mean that we must
be it's capital, witness Charleston, New
York etc.
Taking it for granted that the new
court house is assured, next we come
to the public roads. These might be
properly put, first for Of prime import
ance to a commonwealth is its system
of roads. Nearly all the main roads Of
this County were built with view OF
getting across the Santee to Charleston,
there is superfuity OF roads at some
points leading to the Ferrys.
This system should be changed some
what and more cross county roads lead
ing to Manning and other centres be
made.
AS to the character of the roads We
have as much dirt and clay as Sumter,
but look how they are getting along
with the roads up in that County.
There is nothing that indica5es the
thrift and spirit OF a community more
than its public roads, nothing receives
more comment from strangers, people
travelling through section are attrac-
ted by the roads as much or more than
other features, with better reads the
people of a community get closer to-
gether wonder how many people stop
long enough to think how little they
know of the township in which they
live. wouder ii all Of US have people in
three miles who are comparative stran-
gers. out with better roads we would see
each other oitener we would have less
distances OF each other and pull;togeth-
er better in matters of public import,
at the same, time have more interest IN
each others welfare and be better
friends and neighbors.