Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-01-26
IN THE STATE CAPITAL.
Impressions and Observations of g
Three DAYS Visit.

Impressions and Observations of a
Three Days Visit.
In the last issue of The Enquirer
and elsewhere in this issue, have told
about the Farmers Union convention
to which l went to Columbia as one
of the representatives from York
county. was in the convention dur
ing practically the whole of the time
it was in session; but still there was
opportunity to see and hear some
other things on the outside, and II
would be but little credit to my long
training as newspaper writer II
should fail to tell about some of them
The biggest thing l saw in Colum-
bia is the bitulithic paving that is 60
ing down on Main street. Columbia
streets have long been a reproach to
her. The most that has been done to
them in past years has been the build
ing UP of rows of houses on either
side. They have never been inclined
to be muddy-that is not what York
VILE or Rock Hill would call muddy;
but they have long ceased to be cred
liable to Columbia. The bitulithic
work is simple enough, and not very
expensive. First, they put down a
LAYER of crushed granite about six OF
eight inches thick and roll it with
steam rollers On top of this they put
a layer of finely crushed stone, mixed
with hot pitch, and roll this in the
same manner. The process gives a
hard, firm, smooth street that VIII
stand for years. did not get figures;
but l understand that the cost is not
very great. Columbia's Main street is
something over twice as wide as the
Main street Of Yorkville, and the con-
tractors were getting down their paw
ing at the rate Of about two hundred
yards q day.
Having been very much impressed
all along with the splendid work that
Commissioner Watson has been doing,
availed myself Of an opportunity TO
call upon that official. l found him
away up in the top Of the building
that everybody refers to as the sky
scraper," He was busy with his COR
respondence; but at once laid it aside
and made me feel at home. Every
body who knows Mr.. Watson at ALL
knows him as an intelligent tireless
and indefatigable worker. He Is tull
of enthusiasm; but his enthusiasm Is
more for things accomplished than
things in prospect. That is, while he
is continually planning and working
for the development of the resources
OF the state, he does not count any
thing until it is we'll in hand In re-
ply to questions he told me of thou
sands and thousands of dollars that he
has been the means Of bringing to the
state: but for the most part he only
went over what he had already incor-
porated in detail in his fifth annual
report to the governor. which anybody
can get by writing him. And by the
way. this report is most valuable
document. 1t shows South Carolina
during the year 1908 as in mirror.
There is nothing dry about it either.
Before he became commissioner, Mr..
Watson had served for years as a
newspaper worker. In that capacity he
learned to pick out facts that are in
teresting and important, and to tell
about them in way that would inter-
est and inform. This report is mas
terpiece. incidentally, Mr. Watson re-
marked that he is getting applications
for it from almost every state in the
Union especially from Iowa, which
leads the procession in an agricultural
way. But Mr. Watson is proudest of
his Handbook of South Carolina" and
no wonder, because it has taken rank
above anything of the kind gotten out
by any other agricultural department
i'm the Union. 1t has been recognized
by the agricultural department of the
German government in liberal excerpts
and the significance of this is best
appreciated in connection with the
knowledge that the Germans are the
most scientific people in the world.
As a rule. they find themselves able
To show other people, and it is the eX-
ceptiOn when they go to other people
10 be shown Thousands Of copies Of
this handbook have been distributed.
The first edition was exhausted some
time ago, and the 1908 edition brought
up TO August 81 last, is also melting
before a steadily increasing demand.
When l asked Mr.. Watson about the
fierce fight that had been made against
his Office, ne said he thought 1t was
only because the work he is doing is
H.. q
little apprehenSive at one time, that
the work would be discontinued; but
1 do not think there is any reason for
further fear AS the people under
stand the work better they are stron-
ger in their support" Mr.. Watson's
salary is $1,000 year. 1t Is fact
generally understood among his friends
that within the past three years he has
received a number of big offers to
leave the state. One Of these offers
carried a salary Of $4,000 a year and
another carried q salary of $4,000 a
year When l asked him about how
he felt under such temptation as that,
he said 1T does look big, maybe;
but in the light Of what this depart
ment has already been able to accom-
plish, the possibilities that are unfold
ing to further effort are not TO be
measured against a salary that would
take me away from such work. Be
fore l left, reminded Mr. Watson that
the people of York county would like
to have him come up this way some
time and make one of those addresses
for which he has become famous He
did not make any promise, but left me
to infer that he always stands ready
to do what he can in this line, espe-
cially when he can make connection
without interfering with the duties Of
heavy office work.
| saw Insurance Commissioner Nc
Master His office is in one of the
committee rooms of the state house;
but he has been OuSted during the sit