The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-02-27
WOULD ANNEX TO
BAMBERG COUNTY

Blackville and community was held
last Wednesday night, the purpose
of which was stated to be the formu-
lation of plans and the discussing OF
means of annexing portion of Barn
we'll county to Bamberg county.
There appeared to be no doubt on
the part of those present of a strong
desire to come into this county and
the discussion was very free and
open on the subject. 1t was de-
cided that a premliminary survey
would be made at once, after which
the necessary petitions will be- cir
culated calling on the governor to
order an election. Those favoring
the project state that at least nine
ty-five per cent. of the voters of the
territory involved are in favor of
annexation to Bamberg, and there
appeared to be no doubt on their
part that the election, if ordered,
will be carried overwhelmingly in
favor of annexation.
The meeting was held under the
auspices of the Blackville Chamber
of Commerce. Upon invitation OF
the chamber, a large number of citl-
zens of Bamberg and Denmark were
present at the meeting, and it was
the general feeling among the Bam-
berg people present at the meeting
that if Blackville and surrounding
territory desired to leave Barnwell,
they would be received into Bam-
berg with a warm welcome.
That Blackville is very much dis
satisfied with her present situation
was very apparent. The people Of
the territory were very outspoken in
regard to their grievances against
the mother county, it being stated
at the meeting that Blackville had
always received the big end of taxa
ton and the little end of expendi-
lures of county monies, and that it
was not possible for any man In
sympathy with Blackville's position
to ever be elected to Office in Barn
we'll county.
It will be recalled that a few
weeks ago a very strong movement
was instituted to have the court
house removed from Barnwell to
Blackville. Blackville people say
that if the election had been held,
the removal would have been accom-
pIished. The election was not held
for the reason that Representative
James E. Davis introduced in the
general assembly, and was instru-
mental in having the bill enacted, a
measure prohibiting the location
hereafter of court houses within
eight miles of a county line. This
act bars Blackvi1le from becoming
the seat of Barnwell, because the
Orangeburg county line runs with
in few miles of the town.
Being blocked in this manner of
securing redress for their grievances,
the citizens began to talk of some
other method, and it was decided,
apparently almost unanimously, to
launch a campaign to quit the old
county entirely. In accordance with
this plan, the Chamber of Commerce
called meeting for last Wednesday
night, and invited Bamberg county
to participate in the discussions.
The meeting was presided over by
Judge A. H. NIinestein, who called
on various citizens present, both
Barnwell and Bamberg people, to
discuss the matter freely, pro and
con. There were no remarks oppos-
ed to the plan, however.
Col. j. C. Guilds, of Bamberg, was
first called on for an expression of
his views, and he stated that Bam-
berg would be glad to welcome
Blackville and territory into Bam-
berg county. Bamberg and Black
vile, said he, are very closely con-
nected by ties of friendship and re-
lationship, and had already many
things in common. He told of the
good things of Bambreg county, and
said that with the addition of the
proposed territory this county would
rank as the best in South Carolina.
That with the aid of Blackville
Bamberg could more easily work out
the county problems to the mutual
advantage Of both sections.
Mr.. J. A. Virgins, in response to
an invitation of the chairman, in
: quired as to exactly what Blackville
wanted. That though from a stand
point of sentiment Blackville would
! be most welcome addition to Bam-
berg, it resolved into business