The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-25
Does Sumter Want the Earth?

Does Sumter Want the Earth?
The western portion of Clarendon is
In imminent danger Of being taken
away to be given to Sumter, and un-
less our county authorities get busy
to have this movement checked the
election will be had and considerabl BILE
trouble and expense entailed. There
are a few persons in the village Of
Pinewood who have been agitating
the severing Of that section from
Clarendon, and anneXing to Sumter
for some time; only few days ago
we learned that they have a petition
in circulation which is being general
ly signed. AS We understand from
the information given to us the pro-
posed swipe to Sumter will take off
the very cream of that section. the
finest lands in the county, much of
which Is owned by persons living
elsewhere and who cannot vote to
say whether or not they are willing
for the change. 1t is proposed to TAX q
OF thc wnole of Fulton. greater
part - calvary and the most valu-
able part of Friendship. the plat
shows INC line from Fulton to Bel
sars cross roads. running down the
Santee river road, and from the coun-
ty line to the Rigby store on the cane
savannah road. near enough to Silver
to take in the valuable plantations of
Capt. 4. l.. Lesesne.
We cannot see the good this move
Is to accomplish except to put that
section more conveniently to a court
house town because of their railroad
facilities, but will this recompense
them for the additional taxation they
will assume. Sumter has a consider
able bond issue. and Is continuing to
issue bonds. only recently Sumter is
sued bonds To contribute To the Sea-
board Railroad. this contribution was
forced upon the people Of the county
for the benefit of the city and without
the consent of the county. Should
the northwestern section as proposed
annex itself to Sumter 1t should he
known that IL will not relieve the
court house bonds of Clarendon;
they cannot get away from paying
their proportion of this tax to Claren-
don notwithstanding the additional
burdens thcy assume in going To sum
ter.
We would not for anything lay an
obstacle IN the way of the people hay
ing what they want. but when it is
proposed To disrupt Il county for the
benefit Of Il few individuals. ii l., time
for us To- speak out if we can show
that II is not To the interest of tax
payers to make this change. Ii is thu
duty of our county officers To- look
into this matter ana if possible pre-
vent the loss. 1t should be ascertain
eel whether or not Clarendon can
lose so much territory, the constitu-
tion has put a limitation, and if this
large and valuable portion is to- be-
taken away it should not bc permit
ted without a fight. 1t is to- Clarcn-
dons Interest to watch the movement
closely. one Of our county commits
sioncrs lives near Pincwood. ana SO
does ore of the Representatives. we
have not heard word from either
Of them ON this subject nor do we
Know whcthehr they are in favor or
opposed To the scheme To- take from
Clarendon large part of her most
valuable possessions; We think il j.
due To their constituents for their
views to h. known. if they favor lcaV-
ing Us. the people of the county should
know II before the next primary
comes ON So they may bc governed in
their selection of commissioners and
representatives. Gentlemen let the
people know how do YOU stand on
the question of Keeping the county in
tact. ana whether OF not YOU viii use