The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-07
Statement to The Publi:.
Editor The Daily Item:

paper in order that / NAV make g
statement Of the policies that
would advocate if elected to the
House Of Representatives in order
that as many as possible o. the
| people Of Sumter county my be
| informed thereon.
In tie beginning I Will say that
have no pet. scheme or bill that
| would try to have enacted into
law. 1t would be folly for a new
member to attempt such thing. N
fact one of the best things any leg
islator can do is to oppose the
/ many unwise and unnecessary BILLS
that otherwise would become lLw
adding. to the confusion that al.
ready exists.
One thing this country needs
now is law enforcement. For in
stance, human life is too cheap
Law is not respected. We do no,
! need new laws so much as the en-
forcement of what we have,
This is d critical time The
| question of appropriations to the
made and taxes to be levied is one
that vitality concerns every man
| and woman. 1t must be solved by
sound business judgment What
are good business men doing in
their private business? We must
use economy. Uocless expenditures
must be cut OFT, but we must be
careful not to cripple work that
is Of vital importance.
We must build and maintain
good schools ard colleges. The
school system of this county is
better than it has been, but it is
by no means what it should be
We must continue the improve
ment that has been started. 1t is
true that school matters are large
+! ly local, but a progressive schoo.
program also needs the sympathy
| and hearty backing Of your legisla-
| tive delegation.
! We must have good roads.
supported the bond issue for hard
surface roads. I approve the ac-
ton Of the commission in making
a Start by selling some bonds. ]
trust that work will soon com
mence. The action of the County
! Board in deciding to gravel ono
mile Of road as an experiment is
to be commended. This class OF
road gives excellent service in the
up-country. It's relative value
here as compared with hard sur
face is a matter for the serious
consideration of the people of this
county.
The tax problem is the most Sc
rious one confronting the people OF
South Carolina at this time. Gu,
taxing system is out Of date. Most
real estate and certain classes oi
visible personal property, especial
| ly merchants stocks of goods and
bank stock, bear an undue portion
of the tax burden, while much
other property escapes taxation al
together. I agree in general with
q report made to the last session OF
the legislature by a joint commits
sion on taxation This report was
compiled by Senator Marion OF
Chester. 1t should be read by ev-
cry voter in the state
Finally, we need here in Sumter
county q spirit of cooperation that
will convince not only those who
live in and near the city Of Sumter
but also those who live further out
even to the extreme boundaries OF
the county that their interests, theii
wishes and their welfare are mat.
ters Of careful consideration. Plat.
| forms and promises do not CON
vince them. 1t will take action ir
the shape Of good roads, good
schools and markets for their pro.
duce. a thorough knowledge OF
these problems. and a willingness
20 help solve them are requisites OF
a good representative.
f. w. DABBS, JR.