The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1909-03-24

hundred fold more than this by having
our work done scientifically: There
would now be money in our treasury
if we had had proper highway engin-
eer, to have given Us an estimate on
the Saluda bridge and have saved ex'
pense, averted "a county bridge scan
dal" and saved time and had conven-
fences; tell you "Critic" you can't
build roads nowadays, without doing 1t
scientifically. This electric age and the
demands of the times and our people
command it and you and we all have
just as well pull the scales off our eyes
and meet the issues square in the face.
If, at first, when our chaingang was
put on our roads we had employed q
good highway civil engineer and took
a road at the time and done good scien-
tifc grading and permanent work we
today, would have had good roads
throughout old Lexington county, which
would be a pride Of ours, and oh, what
an enhancement in value Of our lands
and property. More than enough to
pay all cost. But, 10, where are we:
"Critic,' all these yet are future ideals
to be obtained, but we have got to start
in the right way, we will never be bet
ter off, as we are going on. But you
seem to want everything without cost,
which will never be. The clamcr is for
good roads and we have nothing that IS
disturbing our equilibrium now, CT at
least we are in measure quiet and
doing we'll and we should turn our
minds to internal and civic improve
ments, but, sir, | assure you, that no
good things come to rs without cost
and Our development naturally brings
expenditures and you will have to get
a more progressive view on you, and do
away with your chronic c7oaking, and
get a progressive new idea. You are
behind the times, you are a scab on the,
progressive body polite. This is not
an age to prosper by grumbling it is an
age to do and we have got to be up and
doing, or before you are aware Of it
the best Of your county will be talked
on Richland and Newberry and
other counties and where will you be,
why will these people go to other coun-
ties? Because Of good roads, school
facilities and because Of more pro-
gressive spirit and action and they will
follow.
Now Critic" have but one more
subject to give you my opinion on and
I will close, as I feel guilty now, for
attempting to answer your lamely as
sertions above a non de plume, but,
as you are not paying much tax, and not
often your debts, when you can got
out Of it, I presume you are a fit SUBJ
ject to do newspaper jobs or give lega
advice.
l note fully what you have to say as
to prohibition. You surely misquote
the facts, for nine years ago, said
openly Oh the stump that at heart 1 was
a prohibitionist but at that time, l
thought the dispensary the best solu-
ton of the liquor question and favored
it as stepping stone to prohibition.
You talk about $4,000 revenue or
income from the sale of whiskey. Docs
this show much business principle or
judgement. To take $4,000 that GOES
out Of Lexington county annually for
liquor. That is gone, eternally gone.
to St. Louis and other points to get
whiskey, to get back to the same peo-
pie Of this county $4,000 in revenue
for taxes This is fnancierlng on "a
high scale" Yes, it's, according to
"Critics" calibre, and too, some Of the
same kind say We get taxes out of the
negroes and poor whites by this and it
ought to be let alone. Now be honest,
let the burdens of taxation fall where
they ought to fail and we will have a
more equal distribution of funds and a
more enlivened and active business rela-
tions aud success. lam sorry indeed that
Critic" thinks the ignorant voters of
this county did not vote when they
voted for me intelligently. But, l as
sure you voters, l shall never abuse
your confidence shall endeavor to so
live and work, while as your senator,
shall be, as to the best Of my ability.