The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-07-18
SAID SIDEWALK.

Inst NV when som of III enthusiastic citizens re raising money and
spending it in a effort to educate the people of the country districts VI t.
d. ,,;nt ,f vot;n. =, bond Tissue for a few miles of dirt roads, thereby pre-
sumably asserting that our friends, left to themselves, are TOT ignorant to
comprehend the questions which the bond advocates themselves saw fit to
submit to these voters we beg to ask the kind indulgence of the audience
for a few minutes in order that we may address a remark here there
% the faculty of the Voting College concerning said Sidewalk On GfeenV'he
street
And, in the beginning, as it has been asserted that our friends IN the
.,,,trv do nj understand The questions upo which they are to pass, in
order to properly educate them upon the subject We would like for them
to know that in the building of the proposed good roads, it will De necessary
in man places to relocate roads, opening them u through whatever held
of corn o cotton the expert nay select. 1t will be necessary in order tic
properly dress down these roads, and give them the proper city appearance
that a considerable amount of the best top soil to be had in the adjoining
fields be appropriated for the purpose stated. Now, if any OF these ignorant
country voters should com forward and "a that for all such licenses and
liberties, the good roads commission should pay a just recompense, W re would
have to warn them in advance that n so doing they place themselves square
~ AGAINST "proprress" and that in other counties such ignorant country
making such demands, have been quietly informed as it has come
to u.s., that unless the people in the country districts want the roads bad
enough to give the necessary land and top soil, there re people in other
districts who are waiting to get the roads. We cannot deny that there is
some little ground for argument on boths d OF this question:
For gentle reader, we would remind yu. that n of the objects of these
good roads is the betterment of the schools in the cities and town and out
Ivi,a co,rt districts. and that the children who attend these schools can
not reach the school houses with that convenience and comfort which is
betting the mind of public enefaetors unless the ave ~'o 'oao,' s"s
ably dressed, laid out in the country districts across your lands and fixed
up in the lat@t style with your top soil. But friends, d lot imagine al
all of this holds good in the city of Abbevi=
The school authorities in the city of Abbevile have located the High
School, attended by u boys and girls, upon that street of quality known
rs GreenvHle Street. The boys and girls of Abbevile' in orde to reach
h High School, re forced TO pass aNonS "o o'iee! =" o"e
City Council has allowed the street to remains narrow during III 'ne'e
years that it is wh the greatest difficulty that vehicles nay pass each other
upon it.. A sidewalk. upon side of the street is the sole means OF the
pedestrians reaching the Public Square, not much lore than a hundred
yards distant from the beginning of the street, We managed to get along
YER we'll with these poor accommodation until the proper authorities saw
&. 10 cree. the High School at the end of this street. Now, during thi
school season, all the children from the fifth grade u must be accommodate
ed by this narrow sidewalk, with the result that pedestrians gong "
an opposite direction, al the time the children re upon tn sidewalk ae
force to get out into the middle of the street in order to allow the children
to pas. in a orderly manner, and the children upon the Streets and e'e
eiaIy the girls of u city, are often embarrassed nd annoyed in passing
nm and down this narrow sidewalk by being forced Ito rub u p against the
nesro mn and women who use this thoroughfare, and all because a
sidewalk has moi been opened upon the other side Of thi street
Now, our friends in the country will be surprised to hear, W e know
end WI regret to tell them, that n of the leading members Of the faculty
Of the new college for promoting good voting in Abbevile, in Fact W Re be
heve the president emerities of the institution, stands in the way OF thu
opening oft this sidewalk. We have plead with him, besought him, N e"
;oled him in an effort to get him to help the poor schools in Abbevile, and
to make them better by giving u 5 a better street and a better sidewalk
whereby the children might reach the High School, but we have been t%e
that he doe. not live O Greenvlle Street, and that he is looking tn
other way.
And a.. We employed all our efforts in this behalf, and W re should have hs
III. r.. gni6cent support of that great, some times good roads advocate, on
e.teemed neiehbor, The Abbevine Medium, which is so solictious that TIT
children in the country districts have good roads to go to school, you "a
imagine our surprise when "unspurred,' our sometimes good Dads adv
cate began to kick with a mighty kick. saying that the children did not nee
any sidewalks IN Greenvile Street, and that nobody had m sight t
ask "Unde jim" to either give, sell or exchange ny oF thu preeou
inches of land which he has for the betterment of the Public Schools ant
for the accommodation and convenience of the dear children who re a
tending the public schools.
And where has or estimable friend, the loquacious member of the fac
ulv. who adorns the office of the Mayor of the City of Abbevile, been dur
inp this discussion? He would put a oyster to shame when it CAM t
dumbness in the fight for a better way o school at home. 1t is true tina
there hal. been enough money in the public treasury of the City of Able
,;me to widen other street. and to improve sidewalks O. other streets. w
~,uld mention the fact that a short street leading from the Public Squar
directly toward. the residence of u worthy friend, is at this vey minute
md h. been, according to u information, for the last tel weeks sin tn