The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-07

sent the following reasons for their
decision.
The supervisor and commissioners
are executive officers merely, and
have no authority to divert county
funds to other purposes than those
for which they are appropriated by
the legislature. Unforeseen calamity
or sudden emergency might neecssi-
tate the expenditure of money for an
unexpected purpose. and in excess OF
income: but no other consideration
should Induce the board to exceed ex-
pressed authority.
No emergency of this kind appears
to exist at this time. in connection
with q health survey. and 1t is plain
that the supervisor and commission
ers should not spend money for such
q purpose until they are authorized to
do 20. and funds are provided therefor
by legislative enactment.
The finances Of the county do not
warrant unusual expenditures now
Every dollar Of income for the cur
rent year will be needed for the speci-
hc purposes for which our taxes were
levied. In fact the greater part of
the income has been expended, and
within approximately sixty days, the
county must borrow money for fixed
expenses. in anticipation Of tax COL
lections next fall. On April LIST. there
was balance Of s1s.b0o in the ordl-
nary fund: but this has been reduced
to $13.600 by warrants drawn today.
For several years the income has been
insufficient. and loans have increased
from year to year. This Is necessitat-
ed by statutory increase OF salaries,
creation Of new Offices and unpre.
cedented advance in the cost of pro-
visions. supplies and labor.
II times were normal. and the need
urgent. the Board might make appro-
priation for such a purpose: the value
OF which they do not ignore. But
times are not normal, and the imme.
diate future Is uncertain. Apparent
ly the country il on the eve of a great
war. and there will be much greater
disturbance Of conditions than we
have yet experienced, or can foresee.
Prices Of all things which the county
must buy. have advanced and con-
tinue to advance steadily. No one
can tell what the outcome will, he
That alone Is reason enough for con-
servative action. and postponement Of
new enterprises.
Again. DR.. Riser, the admitted OK
pert, who advised the board on a
former occasion. said that there
would he little. II any benefit from
the survey, unless 1t was followed bv
the appointment Of competent
health officer, whose entire time
should be giver advising and en-
forcing sanitary regulations" IT,
appears to be the practical par of
the whole matter; and yet it is not
within the province Of the board to
establish health department; but
they must await legislative action.
The matter of public health is i'm
portant. and the board is fully aware
of that fact; but they have no law.
making powers whatsoever.
While the commissioners were in
session today. they received the fol-
lowing telegram from one of tho rr-
raj committees. which was expected
to come and urge this survey: "Com-
mittee can't come. Think survey un-
wise now. Finances distressing here"
That message speaks volumes, and
serves to emphasize the correctness of
the position which the board has tt.k-
en-. Very truly yours.
c. M. Hurst, Clerk.
BY Order Of the Board.