The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-01-01


the old papers. and 10 nanifsstly the best
sdvsrtiains medium In sumter.
South Carolina Pythianism has lost
cue cc its most distinguished and best
loved odicers In the death Of DIR. Jas.
u. Thornwel,. the Presbyterian church
consecrated minister and the State
a citisen whose life and example In
splred all who fell within his sphere
of influence 90 higher ideals and bet
ter living.
Mr.. ,. L. Ainutt. who assumes the
role Of champion and defender of the
proposed Municipal League. under
took. some days ago. In a communica-
tion TO this paper. to prove that that
preposed political organisation Is un-
objectionable and that II would be
hensncial to political conditions In
sumtsr. II is possible that we may
be prcjudiced against the proposed
isague snd cannot therefore see the
rnatter, clearly In the light that Mr.
Ainutf would have the people of Sum-
tsr view u. but we are not conscious Of
any undue bias unless q matured and
deliberate conviction that the propos-
"a League - undemocratic In princi-
PIE and plan and viii inevitably lead
% greater evils and more pernicious
political practices than this town has
ever endured can be- termed preju-
dice. We have read Mr. Alnutt's com
nnunicatioa with care. but have failed
60 discover In u single sound rea-
sop for the creation Of a faction with
Ia the CITY democracy. nor an arsu-
nsent from which logical conclusion
can be deduced that conditions are
svch % to require or even make de-
ssrabip 20 reactionary q departure
from the present satisfactory primary
plan- TAe proposed league is to be
either inversion to the old conven-
tiou plan AZ nomination or Il IL to be
q clique - 'factssn composed Of q So
iect membsrship. In either contin-
sency. 10 II Objectionable because It
win nomina,iy deprive . minority Of
the dsmocrAtic voters OF any voice In
the government Of the town. but will
actually center al power and control
sr the hands OF . very few men-the
dominant Spirits In the pledge-bound
uuunicipai league. The primary may
not be an absolutely perfect system.
I'M IL In democratic and In II one mans
No0 is a. good and as powerful rs an
others. IL may not always do what
g. Is claimed the league will accom-
pI1ah-put only tncelligent. strong.
tn1usntial. progressive. public spirited
clf1sens IN once. but thus far the peo-
pta. acting through the primary. have
u,asnssd to vote for' and elect men
who stand we'll In the community and
useasure up fairly well when COM
paEed with any other average lot of
mn We can think Of. We know what
ths primary 10 and what Il has ac-
cemplished. but the proposed League
ts . pig In . bas. OF who we know
nothing. save the sugar-coated prom
10 and predictions OF It's advocates.
We know also what the old mass
rneeting or convention plan was and
how 10 was operated. and reason leads
os TO the conclusion that the league.
An operation. could not possibly par
take less Of ring rule. Being a more
compact. better organized aud pledge
found body IL will offer and invite
ring rule of a more effective, more
centralized and more permanent de-
scription than Sumter has ever known
OF cares to put up with. For these
reasons We are opposed to the league
and viii lend IL neither aid nor en-
couragemept. However, this IL n free
country and those who are OF the
opinion that good will follow the or
Summation Of league are within their
rights 10 organize a league and pledge
Themselves to vote for the ticket NAM
Ell by the league. But the balance Of
Ss who think otherwise are likewise
free TO vote solidly against the league
ticket as n protest against ring rule.
No matter how intelligent. progressive
and influential the men named on
tnis ticket may be. There will be just
ss rood men outside the league for
wAom we may vote as there will be
N g.