The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-12
SUMTER. G. WEDNESDAY AUGUST l2 1908

was conflict of meetings of COM
mittees to which he belonged Was
chairman of the judiciary committee,
one or the most desired appointments
IN the house. He thought the whis-
Key question was but Of little mo-
ment in the present campaign. He
expressed himself as being in favor
OF local option, but If the sentiment of
the people was in favor of prohibi-
ton, he favored it's enforcement; II
not, 1t will be failure. He wanted
TO Know the sentiment of the people
on the lien law, and suggested that a
separate box be put at every voting
precinct at the next election for an
expression Of their desire as to its
maintainance or repeal. He could not
vote for its repeal last year without
some such expression. He would not
vote to take away from the people
q form OF security upon which they
were accustomed ,, to realize funds
without their consent. Mr.. Fraser
was just warming up to his subject
when time was called on him.
DR.. Geo. w. Dick was presented.
DR.. Dick Immediately got the crowd
goins his way by telling a few Jokes,
which kept them roaring with laugh
ter for several minutes. He told how
ne had served the old soldiers by de-
feating measure providing that the
appropriation for the veterans be
provated among the several counties
In the State according to the value OF
taxable property. This unfair dis
tribution would have worked a hard
ship upon most Of the veterans, and
their pensions would have been great
~ reduced. while the veterans In a
few cities would have reaped the
benefit He is not a prohibitionist,
but Is not an advocate of whiskey
drinking, and thinks that local op-
ton, leaving to the people themselves
to decide. is the proper course. He
thinks that 1t would be very unwise
to pass a prohibition law before the
people are educated up to prohibition.
He said that 1t would be very hard for
him to vote for the repal Of the lien
law. for he was farmer himself, and
was obliged to take a lien. but IL a
majority Of the people desired 1t, he
would be forced to bow to their au-
thority, and vote as the. directed.
With the telling Of a very amusing
story. he closed. his remarks, although
the people displayed desire to listen
to him indefinitely.
Next was Mr.. E. w. Dabbs. He had
tried to see as many Of his constituents
as possible since laying by his crop,
but found 1t impossible to make the
rounds. He is a plain farmer, raised
on a farm and lived on one all his
life. and therefore believes that he is
well fitted to represent the farming
interests OF the county in the lower
house. He advocated a reduction in
appropriations. and thought that re-
cent expenditures OF the legislature
were extravagant. Property should
be put on the tax books at its proper
valuation. The burden OF taxation
was now unequally borne. Wanted to
see more and better schools in the
rural communities. He Is a prohibi-
ZIONIST Mr.. Dabbs announced him.
self as being always against the liquor
traffic. He predicted that the time
was not far distant when there would
be no whiskey sold in the Southland.
He said that there was practically no
lien law in Sumter county today; that
Of the 2,700 lien and mortgage papers
recorded in the Office Of the clerk
OF court. not more than 100 of
these papers rely upon the lien clause,
the remaining $500 relying upon the
mortgage clause. He had once hoped
that the, law would be repealed, but
would vote 80 now only when thor
onghly convinced that it would be to
The best interests Of the people.
Mr.. c. l. Cuttino was glad of the
fact that he was raised on a farm. He
entered upon the discussion OF the
negro problem, and urged the neces-
sity of looking ahead II we desired to
maintain white supremacy He is
against the lien law. Advocated the
security to the landlord instead Of to
the merchant. The close proximity
would enable a closer watch over the
crop, and would work to the better
advantage Of the country. He is,
however. willing to leave the matter
to the voters Of the county, and will