The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-05
OPINIONS ON THE ELECTION.
WHAT SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL
PROPONENTS AND OPPO-
NENTS HAVE TO SAY
OF THE ELECTION,
Why the People of Some Sections Did
Not Vote for the Bond Issue and
Why Some Voted for the Issue.

|
results We're all that were talked of
by the proponents and opponents Of
the bond issue. AS every precinct had
been heard from except Manchester,
diligent efforts were made to learn the
result at that place, but without avail
1t was finally learned that only four
, votes were cast, but 1t could not be
, learned how these went--for or
| against the issue.
Mr.. w. B. Boyle, the chief oppo-
nent of the bond issue and by whose
1 influence and work the issue was de-
! feated, stated that he had nothing to
say for publication about the result
of the election. except that he was
| glad that the farmers Of the county
had shown their sense in voting the
measure down. He said that he
4 wanted roads in this county and more
and better roads. but that he did not
| think that Mr.. Belser's plan was the
! proper method of getting the good
roads for the county.
Mr.. l.. d. Jennings, Mayor Of Sum-
ter, and one Of those who worked
hard with Mr.. Belser for the pas
sage cf the bond issue for a county
. wide system of good roads, character
lied that defeat Of the bond issue as
, THE most deplorable thing that had
ever happened for Sumter county.
Nothing possible could happen more
to the disadvantage Of the county
and to show IL up in an unfavorable
light" He said that in his opinion
the bond issue was the only feasible
plan whereby the system Of good
roads could be made countrywide
and for this reason and because we
needed the roads now ne declared it
the best method Of getting the roads
He said that the Boyle plan would
not. carry az; i meant a. change of
legislators every two years as the
people of the county would not send
/ back to the legislature men who had
put on them two or three mill tax
levy.
Mr.. r. b. Belser, who was elected
, to the legislature on the good roads
, ticket and who Is the author Of the
Act ordering the election on the ques-
Of
$4,000 and who has worked hard
est for the passage Of the bond is
, sue. said, in answer to the question
as to what he had to say about the
defeat Of the bond issue, that he ad-
mitted the defeat, but that he had
not lost hope. He thought that the
bond issue would still carry at some
further time this or next year, when
| the promoters Of the measure would
be prepared to meet open opposition
and would go to the farmers of the
| county and tell them exactly how the
| measure worked out.
Mr.. r. /. Reardon was much sur
| prised when he heard that the bond
| issue was defeated. He said that 1t
was great surprise to him as he
lad expected that the city would go
at least five to one in favor of the
| measure and defeat any majority that
the county would have against it.
He said that he had decided to ac-
| cept the advice of the Editor of the
ltem and If it should be submitted to
| the people of the county again for
! their consideration. he would be in
the van Of the party which was work.
ing for its passage.
In going about the street during
the day the reporter for the Item
heard many peculiar reasons ad-
Vanced by various parties, whom it
| VIII not do to mention, why they
voted for or against the bond issue.
me managers Of the elections at
| Shlloh and Concord stated that the
reason that the election went SO
| overwhelmingly against the bond is
4
sue was because the people of those
sections were opposed to putting such
heavy debt upon the county. tSum-
Yer county is one OF the most prosper
Gus counties in the state at present
ana has Il comparatively small bond
eel ndebtedncssD Others voted
| against the measure brcaue, tbc,, Ian =
never Hdd roads built for them and
they did not think that they would if
thcy voted 10 bond the county to
huild % complete system of good
roads AZ Providence ana Rcmbcrt
/ the opponents Of the good roads
"'''c" lhat the county chain gang
had not done any work for thcm for
some Tune and they, therefore. would