The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-05-28
0lidated Aug. 2. 1891.
REARDON- N-JEAAIEGS LETTERS.
MAYOR AND HEALTH OFFICER
WRITE TO EACH OTHER.
The Correspondence Between These
Two OMcials Has Been Talked of
Great Deal, and Was Made Part
or the Minutes of Council.

Mr.. E. l. Reardon, health officer, in
| Board of Health. and also his (the
Mayor's) reply thereto, both Of which
were read and made q part of the
minutes as follows:
Hon. L. ID. Jennings. Mayor.
City of Sumter, s. C.
Dear Sir:-A great many citizens
OF Sumter, Democrats and friends
mine have approached me in reg ID
to the appointment Of the new city
Board Of Health, which a number of
citizens, myself included. candidly be-
lieve, was appointed purposely with
| view to removing me as Secretary
| and Health Officer, or was at least,
manipulated possibly without any
knowledge on your part. with that
| end in view.
Believing as we do, that under a.
Democratic form Of government city
offices should be filled by the officers
best qualified, and that efficiency and
devotion to duty should be the stand
ard in selecting in all city officials,
without favor or partiality. and be-
lieving, myself that 1 will not get a.
| square deal under the new board for
reasons we'll known to a great many
OF my friends, and feeling that at
| least some of the new Board Of
Health are willing to take their
| chances before the Democratic voters,
as 1 am for Health officer, it has
been suggested that you as Mayor,
hold up the qualifying of the new
board and that the City Democratic
Executive Committee be requested to
| hold primary for election of men,
| bers OF the Board of Health, and
| Health Officer. you and your Board
Of Aldermen to appoint as members
Of the new board those selected by
the Democratic voters, and the Board
| of Health so chosen by the Democrat
ic voters to elect the candidate re-
ceiving the highest number of votes
in the primary election as Health Of
fcer.
1t Is clearly evident from the ac-
tions Of a number of Democrats who
nave talked with me that the citizens
of Sumter feel that they have some
interest and rights in the affairs Of
the city government. and that there
are many good Democrats who be-
lieve that under the circumstances
you should give the voters an oppor-
tunity Of registering their approval
or disapproval Of the new Board of
Health as appointed by you.
| Furthermore, candidly believe
that there are some members Of your
City Council who had they known
what 1 have told them since the ap-
pointment Of the new board that these
aldermen would have manifested a
greater interest in the ratification of
the appointment of some of the new
| board.
1 respectfully submit that l have
the endorsement of the present
city Board of Health which re-elect-
ed me last September over thirty
seven competitors, and 1 am reliably
informed in response to a demand
from majority Of the citizens of
Sumter.
| / have reasons to believe, now,
from expressions of opinion by a
number OF the leading citizens of
Sumter that / am still the choice of a
majority Of the citizens, and / am
willing TO give these Democratic vot-
ers an opportunity to say whom they
wish for their Health officer, and to
abide the decision of my fellow citi-
zens.
| l think as do all fair minded citi-
zens that as long as faithfully dis
charge the duties of my office and
continue to conduct myself as an Of
hcer and gentleman, that 1 have
equal right to be a candidate for this
office, and il proven to be the best
qualified man for the job that am
entitled to continuance in Office ire
spective Of any personal animosity, or
political Ill will entertained against
me by any member of the Board OF
Health, or any one else.
This Is fair proposition and sure
ly any man who desires a place on the
Board Of Health. or who desires the
position OF Health officer Is willing,
or should be, as I am, to allow the
Democratic voters to endorse him or
take his defeat at their hands like a
| man.
In any event, there being a sus-
picion on the part Of many that there
4 is a plan on foot tO do nn iniuSticp