The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-12-15
REPRESENTATIVE SPROTT
ON NEEDS OF THE COUNTY

l was glad when Senator Wideman
told me he had called a meeting of the
citizens of Clarendon County to dis,
cuss the needs of the County and. if
possible devise some means by which
the Legislature may help the people.
we stand ready to serve you. None
OF us knew year ago that conditions
would be so much changed in SO short
time, great pressure is brought to
bear on us for greater appropriations
ana raise Of salaries for 1921, and on
the other hand the people are COM
planning of high taxes, and Justly so.
II prices had remained high and the
people prosperous it would be differ
eht. | have made up my mind not to
vote Tor any increase of salaries or
appropriations in 1921 unless nv pc
titlon of the people, but to do ali I
can to reduce salaries and thereby re-
duce taxes, until conditions become
normal, | have given the question of
how to relieve the situation a great
deal of thought, the suggestion by
some OF not planting any cotton in
l9Zl l do not approve as that would
only benefit few cotton SPECTATORS
ana at the expense Of the majority of
the small farmers nor do approve of
legislation to penalizc those planting
a necessity, and should not come I'M
der the police regulations YOU could
not destroy a farmers cotton if he
planted over the amounts stated in
the law nor could you imprison him.
Such law would be unconstitutional
m my opinion. | believe in reduction
OF acreage of cotton but let it be done
outside OF the general assembly. we
nave too much law now
1T may be well enough to pcnalize
them for making whiskey and com
mlttlng crimes. But for Gods sake
ict US be free to raise ;nc necessities
Of life as we see fit. AS to relieving
the people in this financial panic /
ask your advice, | am not one to look
on the dark side of things. The county
OF Clarendon | think has more corn,
hogs, cattle, mules and cotton than
ever before while we all owe money,
40 not hear of creditors forcing col
lectlonS and making the farmers sac
rifice their cotton and stock to satisfy
debts.
The banks have been extremely
lcnient; most of us cannot meet our OBJ
legations. How long they can hold
out do not know The Governors of
The. different states have met and are
trying to solve the question of how
to relieve the farmer, that question is
too deep for me and ! think beyond
state legislation. | want the people
TO be free to make any suggestion to
us as their representatives by petition
as to appointments of different officers
IN our power to appoint, rural Police
man, Township Commissioners. etc.
There was some excuse for raising
OF salaries on account Of increased cost
OF living and liberal appropriations
for roads, school etc, when prices were
hlgh and our people prosperous, they
were clamoring for better roads and
and schools.
l 40 not suppose we would have
mad the streets Of Manning paved if
cotton mad gone down last year. But
the work is done and we are proud of
our beautiful county seat Now let
US all pull together for the best inter
est OF our county and state.
l., as your representative stand
ready to serve you.
w. II. p. Sprott.