The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-12

H. Pate, slated as the first speaker,
was present. but was too unwell to
make speech.
The present incumbent, Mr.. j. Diggs
Wilder. was then heard. He thanked
the people Of Privateer for the hand
some support that they had always
given i'm. He thought that he had
held the position long enough to be
thoroughly familiar with all the duties
Of the office. He had never known
any man as q friend or a foe so long
a. he had been In the office. and that
he had always lent his best efforts to
the service Of the people. regardless
OF personal feeling. He promised to
continue to properly and impartially
conduct the ONCE II returned. The
numerous cases Of settAne names du-
plicated on the tax books ne attribut.
ed to returning property in the name
Of 2 person who was dead. the re-
turning Of property by parties who
have only . contract to buy. and oth-
sr IKE reasons. This, be said. was the
cause OF issuelng executions On flfuperty
that taxes have already been paid on
He thought that his books were as
straight a. any set Of books in the
State. and that he had been frequently
complimentsd by the comptroller ssn-
eral.
The candidates for county superin-
tendent OF education came next. Mr..
8. d. Cain spoke first. He stated at
the outset that II he did not feel that
he had done his duty fatthfully and
fearlessly that he would not be before
the people seeking reelection. His
education and training. and his SER
vice for nine years as a teacher fitted
him for the Office. He requested that
HE conduct while in the office be in
vestigated. and he invited q compari.
son Of the county schools five years
ago. when he went into onice, and as
they are today. He Is thoroughly
alive to the interest Of the people of
the county and their children. He
thought that his experience In the past
better enables him to discharge the
duties of the ONCE than ever before.
He had devoted more time to school
work titan any other man who ever
filled the ONCE, and he had divided
his tims between his rifice in Sumter
and the rural schools as he thought
would best eubserve the interests Of
the people.
Mr.. III. w. Cuttino was the only
other candidate for the Office. 1t was
the first time that he had ever been
before the people asking a public po-
sition. He thought that there were
no Issue to be discussed. The awak-
ening In the interest Of education was
very pleasing to him. II elected, he
proposes to visit all the schools as
much as possible, and to meet with
the trustees for the purpose Of con-
sulting and advising with them. He
will keep q watchful eye on the teach-
ers, and see to II that none Of them
draw pay without earning It, and
that the schools are kept open the
proper length OF time each day. He
pledged himself to do all in his power
to advance the educational interests
OF the county. ',. ..t H
Mr.. W. H. Epperson was introduced
as a candidate for sheriff Mr.. Epper-
son promised his best endeavors to
the ONCE II reelected, but knew that
It was impossible to please every one.
He had many unpleasant duties to
perform. one being uls hanging OF
stukes, which was the first
legal execution In Sumter county for
many years. He had served on the
city council Of Sumter for 1s years,
being on the fire and the police COM
mittees. He was the first dispenser
for Sumter county. which position he
gave up with clean record. Mr.. Ep-
person told a few episodes Of his civi
war experiences.
Mr.. w. H. Scale. former supervisor
and now a candidate for sheriff. spoke
next. He and Mr.. Epperson had al
ways been the best Of friends, and
there was not the least feeling OF
animosity existing between them. In
deed, the feeling Of cordially and
good fellowship was so great that
they had promised TO vote for each
other. 1t was simply a question for
the people to decide which Of the
two candidates Offering was the best
suited to the proper discharge Of the
duties OF the office. While supervi-
sOr. he had turned a number of sand