The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-01
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOTES
VOTERS SHOULD ATTEND MASS
MEETING TOMORROW
EVENING.
Will Hear Intelligent Discussions of
the Proposed $225,OOO Bond Issue
Those Opposed Should DC Willing
tn Hear Bond Issue Discussed Be-
fore Forming Definite Opinion.

August 31st. to discuss the various
questions In connection with the pro-
posed $225.O0O bond issue for street
and sidewalk paving. has been ar
ranged for by the city officials in a
good wide open democratic spirit in
order that every voter may be intelli-
gently informed in order to vote in
telligently upon this important issue
of the day in local municipal affairs.
The proposed abutting property tax
alton plan of street and sidewalk i'm
provement is something new to hun
dreds Of Sumter taxpayers and voters.
All voters should therefore be willing
to hear full explanation Of this plan
from the city authorities. who by their
action In calling two mass meetings to
discuss this issue, have demonstrated
beyond doubt that the mayor and
councilmen are actuated by fair and
square motives. and clean, clear cut
desire to allow the voters of Sumter
due influence or other attempts on
the part of the city authorities to
push something on the taxpayers with
out tho endorsement Of a majority of
the voters and taxpayers.
1t should be remembered that the
proposed abutting property taxation
plan of paving originated with the
voters and taxpayers two years ago.
In mass meeting fully advertised, and
well attended. in the county court
house. This mass meeting unanimous
ly instructed the legislative delega-
ton to pass a bill submitting this
question to the voters of South Caro-
lima for an amendment or two amend
ments to the constitution authorizing
the city " Sumter to increase its
bonded Indebtedness to fifteen per
cent. and authorizing the submission
OF the question by the general assem-
bly, to Sumter voters. giving authority
to sell the bonds after a majority Of
the freeholders had petitioned for ar
election to vote upon the issue of
these bonds. This petition was cir
culated. signed and presented to city
council last fall. Every step so far
taken i'm this important matter has
been from the taxpayers and voters OF
Sumter, except the constitutional
amendment In which the voters OF
the entire State had to participate.
The voters of Sumter almost unani-
mously voted for this amendment
The proposed abutting property tax
alton plan OF paving is not. therefore,
n hobby of the city council or any
portion of that body. The city coun-
Gil is but carrying out the the express
ed desires OF the citizens Of Sumter in
any and every act of this official body
and nothing more. City councils
members are as much interested in
the matter as any other tax payer.
There are two sides to all questions,
OF course. Every voter Is entitled to
his opinion, and to express said opin-
Ion. But as matter of fact, 1t would
not be at all inappropriate for those
who are opposing. as we'll as those
who favor this bond issue. to have
REPRESENTATIVES at the mass meeting TO
intc,!lgently present their views.
There are many who are In doubt.
Hundreds are unfamiliar with the
modus operandi Of the abutting prop
erty taxation plan. Hundreds be-
yond doubt have very erroneous ideas
Therefore the most sensible way for
every voter and taxpayer to be intel
ligently Informed Is to attend both
mass meetings with an open mind, alb
solutely unprejudiced by anything he
might have been told. or might have
read, about this matter. and open to
honest conviction or conversion one
way or the other. after the facts and
figures are presented by qualified rep
resentotives of both sides
There Is no desire on the part Of
any one to ram the bond issue down
the taxpayers throat" as has been
said by some. If a taxpayer hasn't in
terest enough i'm his city to attend a
mass meeting OF the importance of
the one to be held tomorrow night. he
Is either a mighty poor business man
or very indifferent to his and his
city's interests. This proposed bond
issue Is the biggest and most far
reaching proposition ever undertaken
by the municipal government. and it
Is entitled to a fair. and unprejudccd
analysis by the voters OF Sumter be-
fore being endorsed or condemned.
Both mass meetings present ex-
ceptlonal opportunities for every
voter To be heard. Mass meetings are