The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-16
TIE HARVEST JUBILEE.


"a sihaii out nevertheless Splendidly
entertained and appreciative audience
of Sumter's leading business men list
ened to an eloquent and inspiring as
we'll as interesting address at Chamber
of Commerce last evening, by Lieut..
Gov. Andrew j. Bethea regarding the
reasons why Sumter should participate
In the big statewide event of the
Harvest Jubilee during the State Fair
week after next.
The results of Mr.. Bethea's splen-
did appeal were that while those pres
ent unanimously agreed that Sumter
could not afford not to be represented
in the Harvest Jubilee parade, never
theless the practically absolute lack OF
interest in the event as evidenced by
the very small number who had re-
sponded to the Chamber of Commerce
call for a meeting to discuss the mat
ter, left those present in serious doubt
as to whether Sumter would be cred
itably represented at the State Fair.
provided the Chamber of Commerce
decides to enter the Gamecock City
and county in the parade and other
events of the Harvest Jubilee celebra-
ton.
Mr.. Bethea very kindly offered and
his offer was accepted to find out to-
day whether 1t is possible to have an
appropriate float made in time, in CO.
lumbia, to represent Sumter, and to
write President II. B. Belser, who will
call the directors of the Chamber Of
Commerce together to decide whether
Sumter will be represented in the af-
fair or not.
Remarks were made by Messrs. r.
B. Belser, ID. w. Cuttino, w. Percy
Smith, Fl. A. Moses, II. M. Stuckey, w.
III. Shelly. s. L. Krasnoff. and j. p.
Commander favoring Sumters partici-
patton, but damper was thrown up
on the affair by the doubt as to
whether Sumter's citizens will take
enough interest in the matter 70 make
SUmtcr's participation worth while or
10 make sumter show up IN crciuablc
style.
1t was pointed ont that money could
be raised now for the expenses Of
Sumter's participation in this State
wide event. as money could always be
raised in Sumter, but the esprit-de-
corps is greatly lacking.
Mr.. Bethea paid a splendid tribute
to Sumtre's past glory in unanimity of
action and local pride. Now that the
governor of South Carolina came from
Sumter, this taken in connection with
the additional fact that a Sumter
man. as governor will officially open
the greater State Fair and Statewide
Harvest Jubilee, and play a very i'm
portant role throughout every event
Of the State Fair. it was considered so
peculiarly and appropriately right and
proper for Sumter to participate that
Columbia has sent two of her business
men to Sumter within the past three
days OF request Sumter to line up and
take its proper place in the procession
With her honored and favorite son,
Gov. Richard 1. Manning.
He said, that candidly, hundreds Of
Columbia, and other South Carolinians
are looking forward to Sumter making
ten strike" hit in this one Of the
finest opportunities Sumter will ever
have to advertise her city and county
resources. She could be i'm the front
of the procession of progress with
little concerted action.
Secretary Reardon was asked for
his opinion. He said that he agreed
with all that had been said 'by others.
1t Is not a question altogether of
commercial advantage. and not ques-
tion of whether Sumter can afford to
be represented. but rather a question
of whether Sumter can afford not to
be represented in the Harvest Jubilee
parade. He favored the Sumter Cham
ber of Commerce taking the lead with
"a liberal appropriation even If the Or
ganization has To borrow the money to
set the pace to stimulate local pride
and enthusiasm. He knew that sum
ter will furnish the money, but that
money is not everything in maintain
ing general local progress. local pride,
and city and county patriotism. If the
citizens of this community lose local
general interest. and drift into a state
of lcthargy and Indifference. every
man for himself and the devil take the
rest of the town, why Sumter will go
down instead Of going forward.