The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, February 24, 1911, Page FIVE, Image 5
ALDER)TAN EARHARDTS POSTION
His Remarks to City Council on Tues
day Night on Southern Power
Company Franchise.
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the.
Council:
I had hoped that as far as the action
of this body was concerned that this
question was settled. I he tried to
make it a rule of my life in public
matters to first satisfy myself that I
am right, then act, and stick to it.
In what I shall say now. 1 shall'
mean nothing persona; but in order
to be thoroughly utcerstood a little
plain talk will have to be indulged in,
and I believe that the time has come;
to talk plain.
In the first place, who are we, what
do we represent, and what are we
here for? Are we men, capable of
- forming opinions of our own, with the
backbone to stick to snem, or are we
clay in the hands of capitalists and
financiers to be moulded as they see
fit, and as their financial interests
may dictate? The position we hold
is an important one; the public have;
reposed in us their confidence and
trust and it behooves us as true men
to meet every issue squarely and see
that all receive the same just and fair
treatment-with "equal rights to all
and special privileges -.o none."
-In the position I have taken on this
Southern Power company franchise, I
have been, and am, honest. I have
heard it whispered around that my
opinions were these of our attorney
that I a-n playing second fiddle to
some oae eis&. views-t3 wich I
shall say, that t'ase who hav, r hold
such op.ior ! me, are welcome to
their thougnts. i shall not disturb
them. If my opinions on this ques
tion coincide with those of another, I
am proud of it. But I tiank God that
I wear no man's colTar, nor do not at
this time in miy life propose to "bend
the pregnant hinges of the knee that
thrift might follow favmng.
I say the position we ho.d on this
council is an important one. Why?
Because, we have been put here to
look to and protect the interests of
the public generally in just such cas
es as is now before us. And we
should be above being discussed upon
the streets by interested persons as
to who cpuld be used to "work" or
"fix" such and such an one to vote as
they wish, as I. understand has been
done in regard to some of us-and I
hope 1 have been misinformed; for I
believe that every man on this coun
cil is es.pable of forming his own
opinions, regardless of the .dictates of
the would-be "fixers" of public of
ficers.
Who is it that does not want to see
the Southern Power company come in
to Newberry-or any other enterprise
as to that matter? Every man who
has the welfare of his community at
heart, of course. But, gentlemen, we
stand here as the mediu.m betweer
such 'huge corporations, financiers,
capitalists and their shrewd lawyers
and the great mass of people who
compose the vast ma ).ority of any com
Imunity, and who have no shrewd rep
resentative, but who expect on our part
vigilance and taution in managing
such affairs as is now before us; and
therefore, we should see to it that if
this company comes into Newberry,
that it is properly and securely hedg
*ed with limitations that will protect
the small users of their furnishings.
I am not so much concerned about
the rich men, the capitalists and tin.
mills. I know they are good citizens
and capable of ta-king care of them
selves-they have always done so and
will continue to do so. The mills
have, or will have, their contracts in
advance, and will keep their steam
plants which they already, have as a
-protection from oppression. It'~ is to
the citizenship, the masses of the peo
ple to whom I feel that we owe our
first consideration, our first duty.
Then to'outside capital and its bene
fleiar ies.
~Another matter, we as public offi
e:ers, should look beyond the mere
fact that certain of our friends-good
eitizens true-urge us' to vote their
way on a question of this kind, and
see where their individual interests
lie. See if their lobbying is done in
the capacity of citizens, or as stock
holders or officers :n some corpora
tions from which they expect to reap
some benefit individually, without any
thought as to what might be the -re
sult or effect upon the whole citizen
ship.
.Gentlemen, I am fixed in my mnird
as to what is right. I know in this
instance what is the safe and sane
step to take, and in taking it, should
it prove a mistake o: judgment, the
b,eople whom I 'have the honor to rep
resent, will have the tenefit of what
ever doubt may exist, and stand piro
tected; should it be made on the other
sidle of the question, it might mneai
and could mean 60 years of exhorbi
tant prices for inferior service. II
.might be the cause of a depreciatior
, in the value of property, and create
less demand for it in this city, fron
the fact that this millionaire corp)Ora
-insaP~oe t i:i~e St
power and rates.
I am told that the city of Columbia:
is at this time figuring on putting in
a city power plant, and claims that
b'y so doing there will be a saving to
the city of something like $10,000 per
year. Why? Because they did not
have the foresight to require the com
pany now furnishing their power to
include a maximum rate clause in
their franchise. Should we not profit
by their experience-f We have it in
our power now to profit by the mis
takes of others, and we are at this
time being congratulated by some
other cities that are already in the
meshes, because they did not protect
themselves when they had the power
to do so, for taking the stand we
have; and let us be firm. If the:
Southern Power company wants to do
business in Newberry, let them come
up, like the business men that they
are, give us a reasonable maximum
rate-which would be a protection to
our people-and let them come in and
do all the business they desire. It is
absurd to say that they can not fix a
maximum rate. Should the maximum
:rate fixed prove )too low in after
years, they would have the privilege
of going before council and asking
that said maximum rate be raised;
and should council refuse the request,
they could quietly withdraw from the
city; they would not be forced to do
business at a loss. But once you
grant them this franchise they ask
unlimited-they have the citizens of
this city at their mercy for sixty years,
from which provisions there could be
no appeal.
Gentlemen, a few days ago a citiz
en of Newberry happened to be in
Chester and took it upon himself to
inquire into the affairs of this com
pany and its service in that city, and
voluntarily and unsought wrote me a
letter, from which I desire to read
you a few extracts:
"Thester, S. C.,,Fcb. 15, 1911.
"Mr. J. W. Earhardt, Newberry, S. C
"Dear Sir: I have talked to some of
the business men of Chester on the
matter of the Southern Power com
pany's coming into Chester. All with
one accord congratulated NewberrY
that she had a town council with the
backbone and foresight to require ex
plicit figures for maximum rates. That
provision was r'ot made in the con
tract to get into ,Chester, except max
ium rate for furnishing so many lights
for the town-but the small users of
lights catch it in advanced prices.I
With this information in my posses
sion I thought but right that I ac-'
quaint you with the facts. . . . I
have heard many regrets that the
Southern Power company was allow
ed to bamboozle the Chester council
but it's too late now. The town is safe
guarded all right so far as a,fe
lights across the streets are concern
ed, but the citizens are catching it.
One of the town council that let in
the company ~acknowledged that he
did not read the contract at all, but
just let them in on their own repres
entatioe-and now the citizens are
paying- the piper in high rates for
lights.
"Yours very truly,
,"J. B. Oteall Holloway."
Now, gentlemen, I have been told
that I would be met here tonight with
the statement that Mr. Holloway is in
terested in some res-pects with others
who have a franchise already. Of
that I know nothing. J. B. O'Neall
Holloway is a worthy son of a noble
sire; and in advance I stand here to
resent any insinuation from any rumor
whatever as to his motives not b'eing
pure and honest in what he has writ
ten. What he says, is as represented
to him by citizens of Chester. And
you can't rub it ou't. And it can not
be weakened by questioning his mo
tives. He is -known too well in New
berry.
IGentlemen; this is a serious ques
tion; and I wish yo', could see it as I
do. This country seems to have gone
wild on the question of spending pub
lic money and voting and signing away
public rights. Take our own city, for
instance; only a few years ago bonds
were voted and the city put in posi
ton to run on a cash basis. Today,
where does she stand? A floating debt
of something like $30,000 hanging over
her. And, gentlemen, can you. say
what 'has caused it? In these days of
tax-ridden, debt-burdened cities is it
any wonder that the people arg be
ginning to sit up and take notice? 1
am not hbide-bound; but everything
labeled nrog"ess in these days is not
progress; and corporations of this
kind should not only have a clause
guaranteeing protection to the people,
but should pay for the privilege ask
ed for, and you gentlemen know that.
They are out for the money and not
for glory.
Some one said to me: "Grant them
-the franchise, and give them all they
ask for. What do we care for future
generations? Let .future generations
-look out for themselves." Gentlemen,
this is one of the most dangerous
doctrines ever promulgated in a com
munity. If we are not living for fu
ture generation, wby our churches;
-why our schools; w'y educate our
children? I t'~! YO~, ~nt!emen, I
stand here tonight pleading for 'fu- I
ture generations.
True, they claim, and some of you,
I fear, stand ready to walk into the
trap; that we. have a public service
commission to regulate such matters
in this State. So we have; and is it
not true that that same commission
is as much their commission as it is
ours; and from experiences with corn
missions in such matters, is it difficult
to guess where the sympathies of such
commissions would be in such matters
as regulating rates? Are they gen
erally on the side of the people, or
the side of the corporation?
So, as I see it, without positive in
structions from the citizens of New
berry, in meeting assembled, I shall
stand unequivocally -or a maximum
rate, or they can stay out. Should the
citizens meet, and in their wisdom
take up this responsibility from my
shoulders, in deference to their wishes
I should yield-yet my judgment
would be against it; otherwise I shall
stand pat, with the firm belief that i
am acting for the best interests of my
people as a whole. if I am wrong,
time alone will prove it.
Gen. Garlington 58 Years Young.
Washington, Feb. 21.-Gen. Ernest,
Albert Garlington, one of the leading
United States army officers, yesterday
celebrated in a quie: way hi;s 58th
birthday.
General Garlington, who is a mem
ber of the distinguished South Caro
lina family of that name, was born in
Newberry county February 20, 1353.
He was graduated from West Point in
1876. At the age of 30-in 1883-he
was appointed to command the Greely
relief expedition to the polar regions.
In 1890 Geheral Garlington, who was
in charge of that portion of the army
engaged in keeping the -nostile Indians
of the western prairies within their
reservations, was severely wounded
at the battle of Wounded Knee. Later
he was awarded a raedal cf honor b3
congress in recognition of his bravery
and gallant service in that battle.
During the Spanish-American war,
in 1898, General Garlington was in
bpector general of the ca'.alry divis
ion of the army in Cuba and was
present at the bittle, siege, and sur
render of Santiago. He was later ap
pointed inspector-general of the divis
ion of the Philippiiles, and is, now in
spector general of the department of
California.
Waverly Society.
The Waverly Literary society met
February 10, 1911, at the high school.
The meeting was called to order by
the president. The chaplain read a
chapter from the Bible and then led in
prayer. The secretary called the roll
and the minutes of last meeting were
read and approved. .On account of'
the nearness of St. Valentine's day
the literary program consisted of es
says on the same, as follows:
"St. Valentine," by Miss Jones. "TheI
First Valentine," by Miss Kibler.
"How St. Valentine is Observed," by
Miss Simmons, and the last on our
program, "The Autobiography of a
Valentine," by Miss Paysinger. This
being the end of the literary program,
the new officers were -inaugurated by
the chaplain. The president then de
lighted us with a short talk showing
her appreciation of being elected
president. There being no further'
business the society adjourned.
Leila Dennis,
Secretary.
Death.
Mrs. S. WV. Morse, wife of Mr. Sa'mp
son W. Morse, died at her home ,in the
Mollohon mill village on Monday
night and was buried at Tri.nity
church cemetery Tuesday afternoon
at 4 o'clock, service at the house con
ducted by the Rev. A. M. Gardner.
Mrs. Morse was only 18 years of ages
and left two children, the youngest'
about five months old. She was the
daughter of Mr. H. W. Welch. The
bereaved family, especially the grief
stricken husband, hatve the sympathy
of the community in the sad loss of
the young wife and mother.
Washington's Birthday Observed.
The graded schools of .the city ob
served Washington's birthday in a .fit
ting manner on Wednesday night. The
opera house was beautifully decorat
ed in red, white and blue. The stud
ent chorus of one hundred children
rendered the national airs in a beau
Itiful manner. The quartette also came
up to the full expectation of the and
ience.
Miss Mabel Williamson's solo was
g eatly enjoyed and brought forth
hearty applause.
The speakers for the occasion were
Dr Harms and Dr. Cromer. As usual
they delighted the audience, and al
though they had old subjec:ts, held
the interest of the audience from the
very first.
The audience was also in good
sprts, and wais generous with ap'
)lause, and this was inspiring to the
children and to the speakers.
The whole occasion was patriotic
a~1dinsiJri12g
After Sul
NUMBE
Commencing This I
At 5:00 O'clock and Contii
Those who attended last Frid
only a notice of the hours. To 1
pect tonight. Below we mentior
JUST A FE
Special No. 1-From 5:00 to 11:30 t<
sertion to match sets
10c., 12 1-12c. and
night at only the yar
Special No. 2-200 pairs Ladies Pat
all sizes, sent to us
worth regular $2.00
at only the pair
Special No. 3.-One thousand five h
Insertion, worth up t
at to night's sale onl:
the yard - -
Special No. 4-One Lot Linen Lace
this, sale Linen Lace
for the yard- -
All All-Over Lace al
Don't forget the date Friday,
We have two other specials to
mention here. Be on hand tonij
1TH E BE
Ov er
Cut G1ass
We will give
for cash on
China and ii
Low Prices <
This Offer Good
Daniels &
iper Sal
R TWO
svening, Fnday
ming Till 11:30, Closing Tim<
ay night's sale need no pe
hose who did not come ot
L a few.specials for your bE
W SPECIALS.
night-800 dozen Val. Lace
at special for this sale, wort]
16 2-3c., buy all you want to
d - - -
Ot Oxfords and Three Stra1
special for tonight's Sale
buy them at to night's sale
undred yards Dainty Emprc
>25 cents the yard, to go
r, buy all you want for only
and All-Over Lace, bought i
worth 10 cents and 12 cei
JUST HALF Regular Price
February 24th, 5:00 to 11:31
surprise you with, that '
ht.
? HIV
S, Proprietor
L oa de d
and Chin
25 per cent off
Cut Glass and
ill make special
n Silver Ware.
for Only 10 Days.
Williamson
24th
rsuading
Lt we ex
nefit.
with In
iSandels,
8c.9
idery and
81
82c..
,pecial for
ts, 5c.
I o'clock,
ve won't
- t
m
;
4
1.3