The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-13

land values are highest, prosperity Is
more general, schools are better and
the drift from country to the city of
the best and most progressive element
Of the population has been stayed
The results that have followed the
building of good roads In other States
will be obtained in Sumter county by
the same means.
Mr.. Belser went on to elaborate his
presentation of the value Of good
roads by practical illustrations Of the
results to be obtained. Then he de-
veloped the argument by showing how
II Is possible to obtain O complete
system Of roads In this county at the
minimum cost and without materially
increasing the burden of taxation.
Along this line he covered practically
the same ground that he did In his
speech before the Good Roads meet
ing held in this city a few weeks ago.
which speech was published in full in
this paper at the time.
AS one result Of the construction of
system of roads Mr.. Belser aruged
that the consolidation of schools
would follow and that it would be
possible to have first class school in
each community. SO that no patron
would be more than three miles dis
tant from his school house, and the
majority would be within a mile.
In closing he defined his position
on the liquor question clearly and
unequivocally. He said he was for
local option, was opposed to State
wide prohibition law, and would vote
against and bill to force prohibition
on county that was not in favor Of
1t. He believed that the only way by
which prohibition could be enforced
was by strong and vigilant local
public sentiment. In reply to a ques-
tion as to his views Of the section Of
the Carey-Cothran law making it un-
lawful to receive or keep liquor for per-
sonal use, and Judge Memminger's
construction of 1t, he said he did not
believe 1t good ls.w and would vote
to repeal that section.
j. e. DuPre.
Mr.. Jas. e. DuPre said that he was
the only candidate for the House
from Sumter county. that Is, the only
candidate living outside the city Of
Sumter, therefore he felt that he
represents and will represent, If elect
ed, the agricultural interests, whom
he believes should have a representa-
tive on the delegation. He felt quail
fed to represent the people of Sumter
county, and was not without legisla-
tive experience, having had the
honor to represent them in the House
on a former occasion.
He would stand for an economical
administration Of the State govern
ment; the State is going from bad to
worse all the time, appropriations
grow larger each year. He would op-
excess Of the income Of the State, as
had been done year after year in the
recent past. thereby piling up grow
ing floating debt He would stand
for rigid economy.
He favored equalization Of taxation
and. on the county board Of equaliz-
alton had worked and used his in
fiuence to bring about the equaliz-
alton Of tax returns in this county.
He favored liberal appropriations FOR
the pensioning Of the old soldiers, all
deserving verterans should be taken
care OF In their old age. it Is a debt
the State owes that should be paid (:
but the pensions should be given only
to the worthy. the unworthy should
be weeded out. It Is fact well
known to many that there are now on
the pension roll many who should not
be there-some such are to be found
In every community. He believed III
good roads and would work to secure
Shen' favored giving. the supervisor
all the money possible for this pur-
pose-all that can be used to ad-
vantage. He was opposed to giving
Clemson College so much money, that
the college should be given an ade-
quate support, but it is now receiv-
ing more than 1t should have and the
over-plus should be divided among the
rural schools. He favored the enact
ment of a land registry law based
upon the Torrens system, that would
relieve real estate Of the present cum
bersome and expensive system of
transfer and that would make a mans
real estate as available for use as col
lateral as the bankers bank stock or
the other stock I'm which tba M nitoli.,