The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-05

and is manissstly the best advertising
medium In Sumter.
John t. Duncan. who also ran for
Governor. alleges that ne was told
by Mr.. w. A. Lee that the Jones
crowd spent s1Os.oOO during the last
few days before the primary trying
TO elect Jones. Mr.. Lee says he never
made such a statement to Duncan.
The story Is preposterous and Dun
can himself can not believe IL.
The question having been raised as
70 who organized the primary system
10 South Carolina, and when, II may
be Of interest TO know that a primary
for members Of the legislature and
county officers was held in Sumter
County as early as 1ss4-and per-
haps earlier. We have not the COM
plete record available beyond 1884,
but the indications are that the first
primary was held N Sumter County In
1ss2, At that time Senator Tillman
had never been heard OF In Sumter
County and he is entitled to none of
the credit for the adoption of the
primary system of nominations by the
Deroccratic party Of this County.
The crime which c. NJ. Young. ut
nat Tine one Of the Rural Policemen
OF Sum -er County. and Mack Morris,
consta' " for Magistrate Player Of
slulon. are charged with having COM
mittcd on Friday last. Is one Of the
mos, outraseous In the criminal an
naa of Sumter County. They were
charg,i with having committed
criminal assault on two negro girls
who - re In their custody. and a war
rant vas Issued for their arrest by
2iagis,-ate Player. They have fed.
and are said to be hiding In the
swamrs In shiloh township. The ef-
torts nat have been made to capture
the gItives have thus far been
truitics and the reports that have
scSa r,ceived indicate that they will
not b" lrrested until II suits their con-
venierne 10 surrender. Without un-
dcr'aNag TO express an opinion as to
Toe salt OF innocence of ne &C
eused men. for We have no desire Ia
prejudice the case OF men under charg-
es 80 heinous. We feel that II Is our
duty tn say that the law-abiding people
Of sumter County owe Il 10 themselves
~ see that these men are speedily ar
rested and brought to trial. IL they
ere guilty.. as charged they should be
speedily and severely punished that
their fate will be warning To other
lawless men. This is case that can
not be ignored. aud. Young and Morris
are allowed Co escape. II they are not
brought into court and made To an
ywer To the charges alleged In he
warrant. the record Of Sumter CouL-
ty for law. order and deccncy will be
damned for ever and "a day. II the
officers OF Sumter County. whose duty
II IL to enforce the laws and appre-
hend criminals. do their duty. Young
pnd Morris will be arrested and
brousht To trial at the approaching
term OF court. IL they are not ar
rested speedily. II ne cannot effect the
arrest with his present force the sher-
IN should ask for assistance. The
white people rule sumter County, and
they owe II Co themselves To protect
the negroes In all their rights and to
SEQ that they are treated Justly. The
father q the two girls who are al
leced to have been 80 grossly and
brutally mistreatcd by two white mcu
and they officers OF the law VII
used their official position To- obtain
custody of the girls--hts appealed 60
the courts for redress OF his wrongs.
He has asked the white people who
control the courts TO give him JUST, e..
and II We fail 20 bring these white
men into court Co face their dCCuser.
we wrong the man who asks for JUS
tiee under the law ard damn our
selves az protectors of the lawless.
The white man who assaults n negro
girl II as vile "a criminal as the negro
who assaults white girl and hc is
more To be condemned
so long as Young and Morris are
permitted 90 remain al liberty In de-
fancc of the law. Sumter County is
guilty OF condoning lawlcssncss and
failing In the duty u owes To- protect