The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-18
KICKER.

Editor Press and Banner:
At a meeting OF a lumber OF taxpayers OIL
this city held a short time ago In the ofhca OIL
he County Treasurer, various subjects deem.
ed TO be for the best Interests Of the city were
freely discussed. 49,.
Among other things 1t was concluded that
there was a Wide opening and crying demand
for what Is Termed In common parlance q
"kicker," whose duty should be TO expose aod
protest against any and everything which
was believed 10 be against the interests OF ine
city-in short, TO call attention to things mat
ought not to be. In furtbersnce OF this view,
The writer OF this was unanimously elected to
In The discharge OF the duty incumbant up
on sucn q iunctionary. / desire through The
Columns OF you paper TO enter a vigorous
kjck against the outrageous conduct OF our
CITY Council at It's last meeting wherein IL
was resolved TO expend from three 10 nYe
hundred dollars Of the taxpayers money 10
putting In cement walks on one OF the least
freuuented and narrowest streets In the city,
namely, the Cross street leading from Main
Street 10 the negro fre-brand church.
Now, for whose benefit Ia this proposed e1-
penditure OF the taxpayers money? Solely
Tor the benefit OF j. G. Ellis, ]. Allen Smith,
ST., and possibly ". b. Long. These three
taxpayers own all the property on that
street.
over which a great many persons are accus-
toned to travel, there might be some excuse
for the action OF Council, but l venture the
assertion tlaL, e4CluQluB Luo ueBio
who attend the Furguson-Willlam College
and the negroes who attend the aforesaid
dre-brand church, there are not q dozen per.
sons. Oh an average, b pass along that
street each day. 49,
Council, namely, DR.. Neufer and Albert
Henry. 1t is my duty TO state that have
been Informed that they opposed this in1qui.
tous measure, they unlike the Others not
being dominated by Mr.. J. G. Ellis.
Tho most of the taxpayers or ibis CITY are
OF the opinion that this Council has done
enough for the improvement OF the p roperty
of Mr.. Ellis in putting down sewerage ano
water mains on Ibis street, soleiy lor nis
Men are elected on the City Council because
they are believed to be such as Will admins
ter the affairs OF the city IN an economics,
lust and Impartial manner-not being ipfu-
epced by prejudice or favoritism. Has the
present Council, as q whole. met the expecta-
ions OF those who elected them TO office, In
these particulars? We think not.
The largest taxpayer in the city Informed
the writer tina he had been begging the
| Council for over six months to put In a
crossing TO one OF bis tenement houses ana
know of another party who is the owner OF q
hall dozen tenement houses. occupied by
white people, and all contiguous, VINO mas
had to build up the sidewalk In front Of these
houses ia order to prevent the water from
flooding the yard at his own expense, not
withstandlng as be states, he has lmportuned
the Council for more than six months 10 do
his work.
Furthermore not a shovel full of sand has
been put upon the side walks In front OF their
homes. except what the owner put there at
his own expense In more than twelve months
Neither will they put In crossings In order 10
get into tho back yard Of these premises for
The purpose OF delivering wood or coal or
for any other purpose. although the attention
of Council has been called 10 It in q most for
| NAL manner months ago. This latter instance
| we think Ia q clear case OF prejudice on the
part OF the dominating element OH the
Hoard of Councilman. But this Is q small
matter as compared with that to which at
tention Ia called at the outset OF this commu
nication as In the latter case. not doing the
work: resulted 10 a little daring to the tax
nayers. but in the former case. II Is q most
fragrant disregard OF the interest OF the tax
PAYERS, az q whole.
We think 1t would be we'll enough for
Council to put dow cement walks Just as
rapidly as the agencies OF the City Treasury
will admit of but by all means let them put
In such work on thel more important
streets that are used by the people generally
street. which is scarcely ever used except by
q limited number OF awhite citizens, and a
Iot of negro school children.
Now In conclusion Mr.. Editor; Of this my
frat kick. since being inaugurated into Office
will havs the effect OF opening she eyes OF
the taxpayers Of this City 10 the manner In
which they are being imposed upon; | shall
he more fully impressed Than l have been
heen heretofore, that the office Of general
kick err is not a bad institution.