The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-25

son experimental station for Sumter
County. At present Mr.. Manning was
or the committee to secure a site for
the station and this committee had
been invited here and would be talk
en- to see all available sites offered
Prof. 5. Fl. Edmunds. the chair
man Of the educational committee,
made a short report stating what mis-
committee had done. The principal
work of the committee was the se-
curing Of a promise to have made a
full and accurate map &: the county.
This map would be made by the
county. the cost being paid from the
educational fund and from the coun-
try ordinary fund, and would be sold
to all of the schools, institutions and
persons wanting the map, the cost
being refunded out of the sales of
the map.
This recommendation was unani-
mously adopted by the Chamber.
Next came the report of the COM
mittee on legislation and quarters.
DR.. Geo. w. Dick as chairman Of this
committee read the report. 1t was
in this report that the commission
form Of government for Sumter was
recommended. DR.. Dick stated that
the committee had visited and in
spected all OF the quarters available
and had decided upon the ones in
which the Chamber was now install
ed, they being the best. all things
considered. that the committee could
find. The hall had been furnishe 4
for small cost and had proved con-
venient and satisfactory quarters.
The report then went on to state
that the members of the committee
had been thinking over the matter
for some time and had come to the
conclusion that a change of govern
ment would be a good thing for Sum-
ter. The part Of the report re
lating to this subject is as follows:
There have at times been brought
before us various legislative matters
Of minor Importance. but that which
has caused most consideration is the
one bearing upon a change of our
municipal form of government. Af-
tor studying the question for some
time. your committee therefore fur
ther reports that 1t deems a govern
ment by commission advisable, and
recommends that the Chamber Of
Commerce take such steps as may be
necessary to secure for Sumter this
form OF government. Your COM
mittee desires to call your attention
to the difficulties to be overcom :.
The constitution OF this State looks to
a uniformity OF charter for all cities
Of the same class under general
laws. The constitution permits cities
chartered before the adoption Of the
constitution (1S95), to retain their
charters. but makes no provision for
any amendments. 1t would be nee
essary therefore, to make changes in
our charter before our form Of gov
ernment can be altered AS It will
be necessary to enact certain legis-
lation to carry out our recommends
tion. we suggest that our secretary.
aided by some committee that You
may appoint. correspond with other
chambers Of commerce Of cities of
our class, securing where possible,
their cooperation in the matter. We
will then be in position to obtain a
suitable charter under general law
Of the desired form. We do not mean
to say that an amendment Of our
charter would be void. but It would
be doubtful, and a doubtful charter
would be most unsatisfactory"
Following the recommendation OF
the committee the matter was voted
on and the report was unanimously
adopted.