The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-08
THAT BOND ISSUE
OF THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
MEANT DEATH TO

Calhoun County, Had the PROPOSE
tion Been known by the People Be-
fore the Election, Says DR.. Drcher.
For some time discussion has
been going on in the Calhoun Adj
vance about issuing bonds to build
a courthouse and Jail at st. Mat
thews for Calhoun county. The
commissioners proposed that the
town of St. Matthews issue bonds
to the amount of $4,000 and that
the county issue bonds to the amount
of 100000, making $4,000 in all.
This proposition has brought on a
controversy between Mr.. j. S. Wan
namaker, who favors the proposition,
and DR.. T. H. Dreher, who is op-
posed to asking the country people
to vote more than $4,000, which
he thinks is sufficient. The contro-
versy is getting quite warm, and is
bringing out some ante-election facts
that are interesting. Here is Dr.
Dreher's last letter, which we take
from the Calhoun Advance of Thurs
day:
Editors Calhoun Advance:
am sorry that my friend, Mr.
Wannamaker, and cannot agree up
on the court house and jail propo-
sition, but that is not material. We
are both private citizens and express
sing our opinion in the newspapers.
He, nor the new county commission
nor I, have any more legal right 70
advise the legislative delegation
per Sc, than any other responsible
citizen, as to waht the county should
be bonded for. To exploit the $3o,-
600 bond issue in the paper and
then suggest it be not Oppose
Through the press" is asking rather
too much.
A healthy and fair discussion OF
public issues, bereft of all personality
and abuse, is the hope of the county
The fact that so few dare to do it.
is one of the discouraging signs OF
the times. The truth never hurts a
good cause. If wrong, the sooner
it is corrected the better.
have no halter around anybody
neck. / am appealing only to reason
and Judgment, and want no verdict
from any other tribunal. AS schoo
trustee and town commissioner,
believe that I am fairly well posteo
upon bond companies and public
buildings.
AS such, I unhesitatingly assert
that $4,000 from the town and
like sum from the county is every
cent necessary to construct sulta
BILE and highly creditable cour
house and Jail for Calhoun county
More than that. under existing cir
cumstances, it is extravaganza, pure
and simple.
NV figures were not denied, bu
it is claimed that the bonds may bt
hoated at per cent. That is truly
| cor1mendahle extrication from ar
awkward corner. What are the
facts?
The ) per cent town bonds for st
Matthews (Which pays a sixth O
.he taxes) were patriotically bought
by the local banks and sold at par
after three years, minus the com
| mission fee, which was paid by the
| banks.
If my friend will sell the S pei
| cent school bonds Of district No.
within the next sixty or ninety day!
at par, I will, personally, pay hin
the same commission that his bank
did for unloading hers.
My heart, soul and body have
been set upon having a creditablt
school building for this district. Fol
this purpose we are allowed SO,
OOo-the same that my proposition
will allow for constructing a jail
A iail, be it remembered. which
during our fourteen months of en-
istancn. would not have incarceratec
single white prisoner!
Let us grant that the school needs
more. "The best architects figured
that SIS, 900 would have served us
handsomely. Then shall we argue
that twice that amount is inadequate
to build suitable court house. II
is unreasonable on the face of 1t, and
contrary to al ideas of Ieffersonlan
simplicity. Old. established coun'
ties, with trehbled wealth and pop
ulation can do as they like. We arc
in our swaddlins clothes, the town
and county are small. neither Is rlch
Then. why force us into PIutocratlc
WAYS and weight us with foolish bur
dons before we have earned anything
II is false doctrine, foreign to every
nrircinlc of correct business.
There is another. and lar more
snarchirg reason. in my Judgment
why it is neither right nor feasible
70 insist on $4,000 from tn" county.
puri,g that memorable campaign
at a meeting in Wimb rIv's audI'o-
r;um nromincnt citizens from every