The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-23

PLENTY OF TALK But LITTLE
ELSE OF IMPORTANCE.
-Four Matters We're Taken Up Last
Week and Discussed mt Great
Length Good Roads, Paving.
Drainage and Fireman's Tourna-
mcnt all Received Attention.

From The Daily Item March 1S.
The Chamber of Commerce met In
the armory hall last night in the reg
ular quarterly smoker. There was
a fairly good crowd present. The
armory was we'll decorated, and a
course composed Of cheese and ham
sandwiches and coffee was served
The repast was served by Mrs. Begin
The first topic taken up was that OF
Good Roads. DIR. j. A. Mood open
ed the discussion. He stated that
last year the commissioners were
able to save $4,000 out of the reg
uiar tax levy. and this with the $10,-
900 bond issue should give the COM
missioners something to work with.
He advocated improving the roads
leading from the county seat, as
these would give the most good to the
greatest number.
He advocated the opening Of a
road from here to Columbia. SUI
pervisor Owens Of Richland was here
and he was called upon to address
the meeting.
He came over In the interest of
Columbia. He spoke in favor Of the
route over the old Gamers Ferry,
and stated that 1t was his
opinion that a fairly good road could
be made on the Sumter side Of the
river for about $1,000. Richland will
build a ferry. and may be able to
help raise the money needed for this
side.
Mr.. T. III. Auld, Of Eastover, was
called upon. He came on the same
mission as Mr.. Owens. 1t was not
the cost OF the good roads that
bothered him. but the cost of the bad
ones. He thinks he can raise several
hundred dollars on his side the river
20 help the work on this side. There
is not a crossing on wateree river
below Camden. and that Is the sand
lest road In the State.
Mr. p. M. Pitts told Of what he and
his board had done for good roads.
Although a great deal had been done
In the last IL years. Sumter county
is dropping behind her sister counties
I'm the matter of road improvements
He hopes TO get some convicts from
the State when contract with hosiery
mill expires. He Is an advocate OF
the sand-clay road, but thinks they
should be at least twenty feet wide.
He called attention to the fact that
II is a custom for the farmers living
along the road TO plow them up after
they have been built. He thinks ar
example should be made OF some OF
them and thus put a stop to the prac-
tice. which is punishable by fine oil
Imprisonment.
He also referred TO the practice oi
shrinking road duty. In 1908 only
s525 were realized from the comu
tation tax. Last year $3.50 were rea-
lized. There are fully $500 people, Il
not 5000 people liable for road duty
Mr.. F.. l.. Thomas. of wedgefield
a member of the board Of county
commissioners. said that 1t had beer
his experience that the men who talk
ed I'm favor of good roads were no
always willing TO build good roads
They did not want TO pay for 1t, anC
did not want their hands taken L
work the roads He knows men whC
almost fight when the proposition 4
made TO take their hands to put OF
the roads. One-half OF the road
that have been improved have al
ready been plowed up.
Mr.. Thomas advocated the road I,
Columbia, and suggested the ole
Singleton crossing. and said If tha
route were adopted that at least 81,
600 could be raised at wedgefleld 70
the project.
Senator j. II. Clifton stated that IL
addition to the Issue Of $4,000 bond
that the commissioners were allow
ed TO borrow $4,000. He explained
the compulsory Communication law
The Auditor is required TO put tn
name of every man liable TO road dut
on the tax book. The commutatio1
tax Is payable by January 1st an
failure TO pay Is punishable by n fin
OF s25 or 80 days on the gang. Tn
only excuse for not paying Is TO worl
six days on the roads. BY this II 1
hoped that from s3.5OO 10 $4,000 ca,
be raised.
Dr. r.. s. Booth advocated an office
whose duty II should be 70 collect tn
road tax and to prosecute for plow
ing nm the road