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%> ' \ " ^ & J i III; CtftricH. t*!f. 17 " ?*" (l*t Mmtt'i 9 C. | OkV w I w Senator Crosson'a I Beply To "Critic." To the Editor of The Dispatch: I am not given to newspaper correspondence nor would I pay any attention to what 'Critic" has to say in your last week's issue, but he presumes to be a self-constituted dictator and wouldbe advisor and "critic" for the whole Le&ngton delegation, and falls so far short of the mark or truth that I merely for the present take notice of his tirade, which really is immaterial to me, except to keep the records straight, and I assure you I have always been open and above board and your "Critic" and evprv nno fan at. all times, find where 3 I stand on any subject, and presume the balance of the county delegation is able to take care of themselves. Critic" says that he means no ofBfewffe, but that he is turning on the light Has he think9 for the public good and that he is a special friend to each and Hevqrv member. This the writer doubts very much and questions even his sup port and it is a fact that such a devoted friend, as he claims, never goes out of the vray to pod his special friends. I First. "Critic" says that our honored Senator advocated from every stump last summer reduced taxation, curtail ment of public expenses and reduction of sjate appropriations?donating ro the state institutions extravagant sums? I and not one word of protest from our honored Senator. Is this Republican I doctrine that political platforms are on ly made to get into office?" I These expressions not only displays I the ignorance of "Critic," as to cam paign discussions and legislation, but I his insolence and impudence as well; I besides, the writer has never had, at I any time, his demociacy questioned, I ancf since when a mere boy and rode in I the "Red Shirt columns," he has never I yielded to any man the right to quesI tien his, or to lay claim to superior de mocracy. So away with such "torn-, myrot." The writer in the campaign did advocate retrenchments and reforms; he advocated the doing away with the emmigration bureau, and the same was wiped out; he advocated that less appropriations should be given to tfoe*higher institutions for boys, and lEbrvote is recorded against any higher ?r any additional appropriation for t*ese institutions; he advocated that ndre money be given the common free schools, and you will find his vote recorded as voting for the $20,000 extra for to help the poor free schools. This is in keeping with the records and it is a different thing for "Critic" to write what the legislature did and how I voted. He evidently makes a foul display ef his blinded ignorance when he does mot know these things when iie writes: "and not one word of protest or disapproval from our worthy Senator." This is untrue. It is quite a different tiling as to what a whole legislature does as compared to wliat and how one member thinks or votes on any question, besides everybody knows that the ^?t session of the legislature was so ^hamperedby the "jadgship deadlock." hen law and prohibition discussions, that there was no time for full discussion of other measures that I would liked to have discussed freely, etc. It is one thing to look at a thing from m sordid and "critic" standpoint at home and another to do what you would Hke in a session of the general assembly. | There are many things I would liked to have done in the last session, but ooold not be done, however, I did what 1 I deemed best and proper under the ciroomstances, etc, I am always in favor of reforms and economical administrations of government, though I am not ! parsimonious and pickannish in my | views, We often have to spend money Lj^par own business to make money, same often has to be done in affair* of county and state. We can't i Our line of new in Ready-to-Wear Hats. ?/ will take pleasure in arr fore you buy your Eastei |k The other departme; 11 an inspection of our stock HI Our' Lexington frier m. PI expect everything without cost. I introduced a bill by request to raise the coroner's salary $50. because most all the salaries had been raised the ses- ! j sion before but this one and it is not i sufficient to retain a good man long, | that might some day be the high sheriff of our county and he should have enough to command a proper respect for the office. This was not passed. Now, "Critic," single handed, presumes to know all when the facts show that he knows nothing. Why was the two additional magistrates appointed? Because of numerously signed petitions by the citizens of those districts asking that these districts be put back as they formerly had been. I did not act on the single critical advice of a single "Critic," but after the proper investigation of the facts presented by probably four-fifths of the best citizens of j those districts, which as now arranged i cost but a very little more than as it J formerly stood and our i^eople are entitled to some just consideration and conveniences, even though it ccst a fraction more. Those districts were too j large and w ere not giving satisfaction, j hence the change and I hold the petitions properly signed to justify my actions, the opinion of "Critic" to the contrary notwithstanding. He is woe- j fully in the minority. Why is all this j unrest as to cutting up old Lexington j County? When I made the inquiry and hivestigatad the matter the answer to me was: we are dissatisfied as to our free school conditions, our roads and bridges, our magisterial conveniences, etc. Then when I make an effort to adjust the evils one lone "Critic" howls against the will of a vast majority, and is plainly representing an imaginary following and is howling about taxation, when personally, as is usually the case, be pays but little. I am opposed to cutting up our county and think the original and natural boundaries should not be altered. The natural boundary lines of the historic "Old Dutch Fork" should never be cut. The decendants of the Dutch settlers of the Fork, if for no other reason, should not disregard the famous history of her ancestry and should throw no slur upon the pages of her glorious history, yet unwritten. The traditional lines should ever stand for "Dutch Fork's" glorious future history. Be content; you will have schools, magistrates, roads and bridges, and a glorious future yet awaits you. Now, as to my highway civil engineering bill. This bill was introduced by request of the State Highways or Good Roads Convention and I will here say, that I deem it a compliment to be selected by the convention to introduce the bill, and I have no apologies to make for it, as I am heartily in favor o the measure and when yen fully study and understand it, you will see the great benefit of it and "Critic" even will be silenced in his sickly and chronic whine. Now everybody knows, in the first place, that one of the issues in last campaign was good roads, and everybody knows, that the county chaingang, has never been profitable to Lexington county. Now why? Because of cost, misdirected and the lack of proper scientific methods of work, and so long, as we go on in our slipshod way? throwing a shovel of dirt here and running yonder and leaving this half undone and that temporarily fixed and promised some more, Lord knows when and all left to bo washed off the first big rain?good roads, labor, time, cost and all, where is the business judgement, or future benefit in such work? None whatever, we need **ro system, and scientific methods. Now, in the Eecond place, let's see what the cost of a highway engineer will be to Lexington county, whose duty it shall be, to come at any time and properly lay off and give estimates as to road grades, bridges, etc. This based upon the taxable property of the state will cost Lexington county about $35 per annum. Can we not save a , TiraJiMPMg37WB-njriirBBB?fcJgg-MIMI III ?IMHMMMi BBBHBBBE??HEMSSS^S 2MM spring* millinery is now rc Our Millinery* Department anging anv kind of hat you n o o %/ 3 Hat. nts of our store are brim full :s, will prove to you that we ids are most cordially invited L ATT COL.UMB hundred fold more than this by having our work done scientifically? There i would now be money in our treasury, j if we had had a proper highway eugin- I eer, to have given us an estimate on the Saluda bridge and ha\re saved expense, averted "a county bridge scandal" and saved time and had conveniences; I tell you "Critic" you can't build roads nowadays, without doing it scientificalty. This electric age and the demands of the times and our people command it and you and we all have just as well pull the scales off our eyes and meet the issues square in the face. If, at first, when our chaingang was j put on our roads we had employed a j good highway civil engineer and took j a road at the time and done good scien- ! tific grading and permanent work we ! today, would have had good roads i throughout old Lexington county, which I would be a pride of ours, and oh, what I an enhancement in value of our lands ! and property. More than enough to j pay all cost. But, lo, where are we? j "Critic," all these yet are future ideals j to be obtained, but we have got to start j in the right way, we will never be bet- j tor off, as we are going 011. But you j seem to want everything without cost, : which will never be. The clamor is for ! good roads and we have nothing that is : disturbing our equilibrium now, or at least we are in a measure quiet and j doing well and we should turn our J minds to iuternal and civic improve- j ments, but, sir, I assure you, that 110 ; good things come to us without cost ( and our development naturally brings ! expenditures and you will have to get j a more progressive view 011 you, and do j away with your chronic croaking, and j get a progressive new idea. You artU behind the times, you are a scab on the' I progressive body politic. This is not j an age to prosper by grumbling it is an age to do and we have got to be up and doing, or before you are aware of it the best of your county will be talked on .Richland and Newberry and other counties and where will you be, why will these people go to other counties? Because of good roads, school facilities and because of a more progressive spirit and action and they will follow. Now "Critic," I have but one more subject to give you my opinion on and I will close, as I feel guilty now, for attempting to answer your lamely assertions above a non de plume, but, as you are not paying much tax, and not often your debts, when you can get out of it, I presume you are a fit subject to do newspaper jobs or give lega advice. 1 note fully what you have to say as to prohibition. You surely misquote the facts, for nine years ago, I said openly on the stump that at heart I was a prohibitionist but at that time, I thought the dispensary the best solution of the liquor question and favored it as a stepping stone to prohibition. You talk about a $9,000 revenue or income from the sale of whiskey. Does this show much business principle or judgement. To take $j0,000 that toes out of Lexington county annually for liquor. That is gone, eternally gone, to St. Louis and other points to get whiskey, to get back to the same people of this c-ounty $9,000 in revenue for taxes. This is financiering on "a high scale." Yes, 'tis, according to "Critic's" calibre, and too, some of the same kind say we get taxes out of the negroes and poor whites by this and it ought to be let alone. Now be honest, let the burdens of taxation fall where they ought to fall and we will have a more equal distribution of funds and a more enlivened and active business relations and suocess. I am sorry indeed tliat "Critic" thinks the ignorant voters of luia v;v/uxii> un-i uui iwn/ M m.u voted for me intelligently. But, I assure you Yoters, I sliall never abuse your confidence. I shall endeavor to so live and work, while as your senator, shall be, as to the best of my ability. ?I Mi 1?? il ?I BWiy Hr H IHH ! ? > ?ady for your inspection, em is in charge of Mrs. Allen, ai iay want. Be sure to visit 01 ot ail that s newest and best can save vou money on even l to make our store headqnarj & s< IA, S. C. The state highway engineers bill, introduced by me, created more comments, probably, than any new bill introduced at the past session and I received messages and letters from many and var- ! ious secretary ef states and from able representatives in Washington complimenting me for it and urging me to pusli the passage of the bill, as it was of vast importance and in keeping with ! progressive road ideas and the most im- I potant bill introduced at the past session. | But they had'nt heard from "Critic." ! As to being Joded on account of my position on the liquor question. "Critic" does not know, probably, that there were more petitions sent up from Lexington county than any other county in ' the state, asking for statewide prohibi j tion. It is no longer a "fad." It is not | now a ouestion of a source of revenue. 1 but a question as to what is morally j right and the county will by a majority | go prohibition. It was not discussed, j but I made it known during the cam- j paign I'd vote for prohibition. I a mak- ! ing this article too long, but I'm not 1 half through, but I assure "Critic" I ! have never yet played two-faced to get I an office, as I could live without it. ; But, I consider it an honor to represent ; the good people of my county, which j 1 shall do to the best of my ability, al- ! ways considering the best interests of ! mv constituents, "Critic," I can be ; found seven days in a week and the j people of my county ere this, knows of j what manner of man I am. 1 shall here- j after probably pay no attention to any j article, written under non de plume, ! and as to "Critic" being a special friend j I have my doubts, as to this, or even j his support. I have been elected senator ! , of Lexington county 1 for years, I shall j do my duty, as I see it, regardless of j ^ the favor of anyone, any faction, or j j set of men. or single "Critic," or dicta- j tor. At the end of my term the commission is the people's. If they do not ! ] see fit to return me "Critic" can advise ' ' them who to give the commission and I ; ( shall be your humble and grateful ser- I i vant. I have no appologies to make 1 for anything I did in the last session and I shall endeavor to pass all bills of 3 mine left on the calendar and do all I 1 can to upbuild our county and state. 1 To the citizens of Lexington couDty, I 1 am now most sincerely and most ^respectfully and obediently your servant. To "Critio" I will say, that I have no correct Idea as to who you are, but you are mistaken in your contentions and look at all from a morbid standpoint. I think you will find a total reduction in appropriations of about twelve thousand dollars. You ought to know before you attempt to write. Now, "Critic," in all soberness and fairness, I don't know how you will appreciate the invitation, but if yon will come up and pay mo a visit and let us know who and what manner of man, voter and taxpayer you are, I think we may be able to rid you of some of your billiousness, and we have some hog and hominy left. We will divide with you, as we would with the humblest and poorest citizen of the couuty, and we assure you your mental aberation may be more tranquil in the future, and you will be better suited to enter politics, as your attitude indicates. Best regards to you. Yours most respectfully, D. M. Crosso n. Leesville, March 19, 1909. Mother Whips Younj Wife. Atlanta, Ga., March 22.?Two girls, one of whom had been married but had left her husband, were chastised at the local police barracks this morning in the presence of the police martron by their mothers, following a declaration by the city recorder that a mother had the right to "whip" her daughter until she "was 21 years of age." This course was agreed upon in lieu of a fine. ? ?? Mi III "I ~ "11 r bracing all the latest stvles n ?. i expert designer, and she ir millinery department befor spring and summer and j purchase. ters while in the city. r\u \j n, i He Playei Jean Valjean.^ How a soldier escaped from a coffin j and got a pension is told by Capt. J. j W. Lindsyy, commissioner of pensions j and it has to do with one of prison j records of the Civil War record. "This applicant for a pension,'' said | Capt. Lindsey, "claimed that he was j a veteran of the Civil War and that j he had been a soldier in one of the I Georgia regiments. I investigated the j records and they showed that he was j marked up as a deserter, having been ! placed 011 a post as picket, from which ; he mysteriously disappeared. I could ; not approve the pension, although there wa9 110 actual proof that he had ' been a deserter. "A short while later he came back ( and said he was ready to show that ! he was not a deserter. He proved . that he had been captured by Feder al soldiers and put in prison, from ' which he later eseapod. The story j of hi9 escape was peculiar. "One night six coffins containing j the bodies of men who had died were ' brought into the guard house where : other prisoners were confiined. The soldier induced one of his fellow 1 prisoners to assist him in taking; out : one of the bodies, which the}* hid in a pile of rags. Then he climbed in j and had his comrade to lightly nail ; the lid. "Next morning the coffins were . carried out some distance from the j prison to be buried. You can imagine i what happened when that fellow ! burst out of the coffin with a blood- ! curdling shriek. Graves and grave- ; diggers fell pell mell back to camp j and the Confederate soidier hurried i into the thicket and was lost. I ap- j proved the pension."?Atlanta Georgian. ; A special from Columbia says: "The < fight in Abbeville county as to wheth sr or not that county shall go dry or ' :ontinue its own dispensary is interesting. Abbeville county is now the 1 anly county in what is known as the | Piedmont section in which there is aJispensary, and a great deal of intefSfet is taken in the situation. In this connection it is to be noted that the statement is made that a passenger may board a train in New Orleans and go to Richmond via the j Seaboard Air Line, and that from the \ < time he leaves New Orleans until he j reaches Richmond he is unable to le- ; i gaily get a drink of liquor except at Abbeville." 5 I YOUR EASTEf FOOT\ IS NOW I The largest stock wear in the State to styles are Oxfords. S: I Ankle Straps, and ms TViolooora r>nmc IJh. XIV XVUI UUVA u vvxuv. Gun Metals, and Tai $2.00, $2.50. $3.00. ^ Lever, T ,;\ c '. > *%. I - ' ' ft. ' I HNBPNNP? S7i7?E?rH.i ? lUJt i J1 MlB DnDBKBSBO KlbHDBaKawSainNHEflHMDHH Airepy THE JEWELER 1637 Main St., Columbia, S. C. REPAIRS , WATCHES ASD JEWELRY Wakes Them Good as New MEDALS AM) ' BADGES Wanufsstured in Our Own Shops for Schools and utner Purposes. AVERY, The Jeweler 1637 Main Si., Columbia, S. C. Notice of Examination. The scholarship and entrance examination for Winthrop College will be held at Lexington, S. C. on the 2nd day of July, 1909, beginning at 9 a. m. All those desiring scholarships or admission in the College should be present. Applicants must not be less than fifteen years of age and have a good education in the common school branches. Respectfully, A. D. Martin, 16 Mch. 1909. Co. Supt. Ed. Panama Eats. Get your Panama Hats cleaned now before Easter. All work guaranteed to give Satisfaction. Prompt service. Joseph Davis, Expert Cleaner and Clothes Presser, Lexington, S.C. 2w21. YEAR READY : of Easter Footselect from. The ailor Ties, Pumps, any other styles. } in Patents, Kids, is. Priees: $1.50, [>3.50 and Up. I HE SHOE MAN I IN COLUMBIA I