The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-07-20

TO create a sensation and attain news
paper notoriety by abusing Attorney
General Lyon has turned his stream
OF vituperation toward the news
papers and the campaign reporters.
but the people OF the State and the
newspapers have his measure and
rate him at his true worth and will
not waste time or space on his va
porings.
We commend the following editor
ial from the News and Courier TO the
careful consideration of the automo-
bilists and police OF Sumter. Con-
ditions In Sumter are almost as bad
as In Charleston and IL is time for
some measures to be taken to abate
tho speed nuisance which is becoming
a menace to the lives of those who
have to share the use of the streets
with the automobilists:
Would IL not be a good idea to
abolish the speed limit so far as au-
tomobileJ are concerned and TO re-
move all the other regulations relat-
ing TO the operation Of these ma
chimes. such 6s the requirement that
horn be blown or gong sounded
upon approaching street crossing
OF rounding a corner? II not, why
not7 At present in Charleston these
requirements are for the most part
observed only in the breach. II they
are wise and proper they ought to be
enforced. IL they are not to be en-
forced. let US repeal them by all
means. III the pedestrian has got to
look out for himself and can depend
upon no aid from the authorities,
why not let that fact be clearly un-
derstood? Such a course would GER
tainly be fairer to all concerned,
We are told that the police are
afraid TO arrest an automobilist gull
fy OF violating the ordinances relat-
ing TO automobiles. reasoning that a
man who has money enough to own
an automobile has influence enough
TO secure the discharge of the officer
who subjects him to the indignity
OF an arrest Surely this cannot be
frue-and yet two big touring cars
might have been noted racing down
King street at q speed approximate
~ thirty miles an hour yesterday af-
ternoon while two arms Of the law
chatted aniably on the corner of
King and Market streets with appar-
entity an utter indifference to the
dangerous performance taking place
almost Immediately in front OF them!
The Charleston Automobile Club
has just done a very fine piece of
work In arranging for and carrying
through TO a successful conclusion
the Good Roads Rally held here on
last Tuesday. IL the Club will permit
ns Go renew a suggestion we made
some time ago we would again urge
that II cannot do a wiser thing just
now than 20 use such influence as II
may possess first TO see that just and
reasonable automobile laws are pass
ed. and second that they are obeyed.
Every automobilist In Charleston
ought 20 belong to the Club. and we
hope that the Club will get them in
side. and then work in the direction
we have indicated.
Most OF Charleston's streets are
90 narrow that IL disasters are TO be
avoided those who are permitted to
run engines In the street must do so
with n due realization OF the rights
OF the public at large. and unless the
autennobilists wish to see a strong
prejudice against automobiles built
up an this community they will take
the advice we have proffered before
some fearful accident accurs as a re-
sult of the carelessness and reckless
nsxs which Is now on the increase"
Darlington Is getting ready to is
rue $4,000 In bonds 20 induce the
SeabOard Air Line 10 extend its
Hartsyille branch TO that town. How
much would Bishopville and Sumter
be willing to pay for Scaboard con-
neCtion?
IL Is difficult 10 tell exactly how the
State campaign Is going, but we un-
derstand that Featherstone and Nc
Leod are conceded 20 be the leaders
with Blease in third place and run
ming stronger than anticipated. Hy-
att and Richards are cutting into
Featherstone's prohibition following,
and tho I.aurens man cannot possibly
finish with the big lead he was cred