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- , /■.. .. • • ^ s .rw 1 ■ -. •* >- ,r J> THE LEDGER: GAFFNEY, S. C., DECEMBER 3, 1890. SOME RULES LAID DOWN. IION. GEO. D. TILLMAN CON CLUDES E13 ARGUMENT. No Existing Court House Should Be Abolished to Establish a New County — Where County Seat Should Be Located. With this iuHtallmont we conclude the argument of Hon. (Jco. D. Till man on smaller counties. Those who have followed him closely have had a pleasant and profitable task, and we feel they are hotter able to perform their duty than they would have been otherwiso. His conclusion is not less brilliant than what has pre ceded. Head it carefully: No oxb tin;' to court-house should be establish any new abolished county. llolii duly and interest prescribe this eours because, by reducing the injury of individuals to its minimun, all just ground of hostility to the new county would be removed. JJeside seeking to respect the ves ted rights of land owners and busi ness good \\ ills at long established coi)rt hou-cs, it is desirable to pre serve an OkI scat of justice for the sake of its historical associations, which are often near and dear to many people. I must own it always calls up Hen Holt memories whenever I pass the decayed hamlets of old Cambridge and old Pendleton, in whoso former proud temples of jus tice the inhabitants of those once flourishing villages were used to lis ten in breath less silence as Calhoun, McDuffie, Chcves, Potigru and other forth oratory,that would have graced Atliens in her palmiest days. Hat this is a utilita rian age. The Juggernaut car of progress is rualning over the world. Veneration is dead, and iconoclasm is the order of the day. The old court houses of the state had better lake warming—had better study and work how to save their own existence, instead of attempting to prevent the birth and growth of other court houses. Our people are fast finding out that somehow they are not keeping pace with other states, and that many counties are not progressing. A number of advanced thinkers are divining llie true cause, or at least of our lack of pro bail rolls on. and in- nbering that although she miles of having one great '•ausi gross. creasing ti ousandsof backwoodsmen firmly believe that a small county, with a court-house near the center, is one of the most civilizing institu tions which the stall can create. A spirit of revolt against fogy ism is hounding into life, and a stern determination no longer to ’ag be hind other states in the iratterof small counties is becoming rife throughout South Carolina. Our people are inquiring why Georgia has for so long been styled tho“ Empire State of the South.” and reme lacks i<>,U00 square double the territory of South Caro lina, yet she has I117 counties to South Carolina’s 35, and somehow they begin to believe that small counties, by affording many conven ient centers of intercourse, business education, thought and action iiave much to do with Georgia’s develop ment, They also see that North Carolina—the Old “ Tar Heel” ” Hip Van Winkle” state—once the laugh ing stock of some people, (when she hud very large counties) is now thick with court-houses, schools, factories and many other evidence of advance ment, not to be found to an equal degree in numerous localities of South Carolina. They likewise know that very little territorry in Georgia, or the old North State, is without a convenient court house, and a thickly settled, thrifty and contented people, while vast areas of South Carolina are still slumbering in almostwild solitude. They think too that if (lie present counties of Beaufort, Colleton and Berkeley (formerly Charleston) had been cut up into ten ora dozen judi cial counties a hundred, or even fifty years ago. their whites would not now be so heavily outnumbered by ne groes, nor be so poor in schools, because an established seat of justice has many attractions to draw and fix population as well us appliances to improve it Many things should he considered in determining the lines of anew county us well as in locating its court-house. As a proximate guide for tiie former, i confidently assert that any territory holding a white population of 1 000 may safely be or ganized into a political and judicial county. That number of inhabi tants will ordinarily include eight hundred voters—too many to be wheedled, bribed or intimidated; and it will likowi-itt yield sufficient civil and criminal business to command the services of efficient county officers, at the rate of fees now allowed. A number of recently established coun ties in Georgia, with only four or five hundred white voters, are satisfied witli their officers, and laugh at the expense of their public buildings. I have ascertained while traveling in many stales where the counties are nearly all small, that the general rule governing their several ligislu- turcs in framing new and reducing old ones is to try to prevent any citi zen from having to go further than ten miles to roach his county seat. Of courso t he county buildings are usually placed with reference either to the territorial center or to tho center of population, hut in very many cases they are placed at or near one sidoof a county. However; tho shape of a new county and the selection of a rite for its court house is left almost, entirely to the people within its limits. 1 have met many voters in other states who, without changing their place of abode, had al different times been a citizen of two or three other counties than the one to which (hey then belonged, so frepuently had boundaries been changed in estab lishing new counties and in the rectification of lines to suit tho wishes of the people concerned—not out siders Although these men had been taxed to construct public build ings in each of those counties, I do not remember but a very few who complained of it ns a grievance, and in response to the question if they would not rather have paid all the tax to which they had been subjected than forced to reside t wenty or thirty miles from the county seat, the ans wer almost invariably was ‘‘ yes.” I have shared the hospitality of gentlemen in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia, who reside* within six or eight miles of three separate county seats, in the backwoods at that, and when told of our vast counties in South Carolina* they expressed much astonishment—first at the states manship which permitted such a thing; and second, at the folly of the people in submitting to it. In the other stales, for reasons too obvious to require mention, rail road depots are the favorite spots for court houses. While a seat of jus tice exists every twenty or thirty miles on the entire line of nearly every long established railroad in most of the states, how do things stand in this regard throughout what I have characterized as almost unorganized territory for efficient judical and administrative purposes? I mean the county between tho Savannah river on the one hand, the ^aluaUiiTT^pTrgafeP fc’iVl ^rnTee on the other. Throughout this vast region, over wliivk runs about 600 miles of trunk line railways,about half of which has been in operation thirty or forty years, there are hut three courthouses on the roads—Aiken, Orangeburg and Lexington—the fir>t of which was established by the Radicals. A paraded can not be found in any State of the ITiion. Yet. because many of the live de pot towns on these road; are agitat ing for court-houses, some men pre tend to be alarmed, although these same men are otherwise enterpris ing, liberal-minded, and abreast of the spirit of the age. However, it is not for me to tell the people of South Carolina at what place to build new court houses, or .vhereto run the boundary lines of new counties. That is their business. I cannot tike any stock in petty squabbles about those things. ! am only attempting to prove that small counties is the correct principle in free government and to assign reasons why it is only a question of time, and very brief time at that, in my opin ion about thirty or fifty more count ies being erected in South Carolina. It is inevitable, because it is a necessity. As we have 31,000 square miles of territory and as 400 square miles is about tho average area of a county in other states, we shall have to erect just fifty counties more to do as other people have done. 1 do not think South Carolinians differ much from other people. Having thought much on the best tacties to secure a new county in South Carolina, 1 hope you will in dulge my vanity to advise a few rules of action. Every newly proposd county in the state, no matter when, where, how, or by whom it shall be suggested, will have to encounter bitter, cun ning and untiring enemies. First. One of their favorite plans of operation will bo to divide the inhabitants within tho limits of a proposed county by getting up conflicting programs as regards both its boundaries and seat of justice. Two places may contend in good faitli for tho same new court house, but us only one can get it, the other should not play dog in the manger, and let tho majority decide. The minority, by being patient, may at no distant day bo able to get a court house at its favorite site. Such things have frequetly happened in other states where small counties is tho rule. Second. The friends of every new county project should first hold a mass meeting, after sufficient public notice. At this meeting a central executive committee of twelve or fifteen intelligent, prudent and pub lic spirited citizens, from different parts of tho territory to be organized, should be appointed to deliberate and agree upon all the detail of a fixed plan, and then stick to that plan. A good outline map of this plan should be prepared. Statistics of area, population, wealth, etc., both of tho new county und of the old county or counties from which tho former is intended to betaken, should likewise be provided, os well as accurate distances between the old and newly proposed court bouses, and between prominent neighboring points, etc. Third. Next let a short and fitting n.e.noral to the legislature in behalf of the now county ho prepared, and get us many voters within its limits to sign as possible, for which pur pose every earnest friend of the pro ject ought to constitute himself a committee of one to solicit each voter’s signature; argue with ene mies, but in good temper, and work generally as if success depended upon his unaided etforts. Fourth. Tho momoriajjthould be presented to the legislature only by some zealous aiDocato of small counties. It will never do to entrust any measure of legislation to the keeping of its enemies, because the wolf will never protect the lamb, and the member who presents a paper is always ranked as its strong est champion, if it is to have any champion. Fifth. Then select a proper man or local committee to attend the legislature and present the merits of the project to the official committee who slmlljhavu the matter in charge. Sixth. It may he expected, generally, that every member of every delegation from every large county, which it is proposed to re duce to form a new county, will fight against that particular project, at least. Therefore, it might be advisa ble not to present too many new county measures to the legislature all at once, lest the hostile large county delegations combine and defeat the whole of them. In fact it need not excite surprise if llie first one or two new county bills that come up in the legislature shall be defeated, but that should be no cause for despair; on the contrary, it should nerve for a renewal of the struggle with redoubled energy, be cause the friends of new counties "ill not he helpless at tiie ballot-box t There is a mode of tactics by which j they can bring influential aspirants ! for office to reason. Let all Hie friendly voters within the lines of a proposed new county assemble in mass nuttings at the headquarters of each township in tended to be included in that new county, and pass a resolution some- thinglike the following: ‘* Resolved, That hereafter, in making nominaiions for any office whatever, we hereby solemnly [fledge and bind ourselves each and all, to give the the preference to that can didate or set.of candidates who shall ojsyjJ^-'Txpress 'hT^kJliendship for the formation of tiie propped new county of Get the signature of every new county voter, present or absent, in tiie township, if possible, to this pledge, carry it out in letter and spirit, and my word for it, no matter in what large county the voters may reside, they will be more than apt to hold a balance of power which shall be able to decide most of I he county nominations; and by tiie friends of every new county project in tho state practicing the same tactics, tiie whole combined might have«.nougii strength to determine some nomination for even state officers. However, to achieve such results, all the local friends of the several new county projects .mist religiously abstain from socking any office themselves until after they shall have achieved the establishment of their new county. This would be absolutely necessary, because a revolve” like the one just recom mended, if taken and adhered to by tho friends of a new county, would forthwith cause its enemies to busily set to work to divide and conquer by trying to bribe popular new county men with nominations for offices in return for deserting-] the new county enterprise. Hence, unless a new county’s ad vocates should stand firm as a rock against the wiles and importunities of slippery candidates in their own ranks, it would bo idle to attempt such a manoeuvre as I have indica ted. Many of our present counties are so large that all or a part of several new counties can bo taken from one of them. In the effort to elect pub lic officers pledged to support the reduction of any largo county, all the friends of such reduction in every section of that county should- be invited to co-operatc. For instance, 1 am informed that the people of Abbeville, in the vicinity of Ilonea 1’ath depot, on the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, desire a new county, with the court house at that depot. If this be so let that section of Abbeville fight the new county issue side by side with the Greenwood or Ninety-Six Section at the ballot-box, and if the people about Dorn’s Mine, or Lowndesville wish for a court house at either or both of those places, let all act together, alid not independently, as it is a forcible truism that” union is strength.” I have now to tho best of my ability, finished the task I under took, which was to prove not only that your new CPunty of Calhoun ought to be established, but that forty or fifty other counties should bo created in tho state. Whether I have succeeded, others must judge. I have spt ken at exceeding length from a desire to treat the subject in all its bearings. If an arithmetical calculation of personal benefit had 'governed me, I should cither have kept silent or in some other unmanly way have evaded tho responsibility of giving a full and candid opinion. I know that my bold advocacy of small counties will excite tho political hostility of many of my fellow citizens throughout the state. Rut it has always been a pecu liarity of mine to utter my true sentiments on any public measure without regard to tho fear or favor of any man or set of men. Conscious of no offence, I make no apology, and those who become offended I *hopo will have charity enough to concede that as one of tho state’s children, I may have only sought to give dutiful counsel on u subject which, 1 believe, vitally con cerns our common mother and all her family. Thai, counsel may be wrong; but, right or wrong, it has been inspired by devotion to Routli Carolina and Jier people to whom I can fervently nddress tin* beautiful upostri pile of Montgomery : l.sihil »»f my fatlu’r*. thrp I lovo; Ami rail lliy sliiiKlcrrrs as they will. With all thy faults I hive thee still. Torturing Tiie busiest and most useful men arc not always exempt from sickness. Especially arc they liable to be at tacked and completely disabled by that most annoying and painful ailment— Rheumatism. Men in all walks of life are subject at any time to tie seized with this disease, and besides llie great bodily pain, there is almost unbearable mental anguish at the thought of hav ing one’s strength and vigor gradually supplanted by a condition of utter helplessness. Under the effects of Rheumatism, the strongest men be come the weakest, and the most useful arc robbed of their usefulness. One of the busiest of Atlanta's citi zens is Mr. J. A.LcSenr, the well known architect and builder, whose office is in the Inman building. He has lived in Atlanta for years, and some of the prettiest residences and most substan tial business blocks of the city are monuments to his skill as an architect and builder. For years he held the responsible position of city building in spector, and is also high in Masonic circles, being now recorder of the Ma sonic Council in this city. W Mr. J. A. LeSeitr. But like many other busy men, Mr. LeScur was overtaken by Rheumatism and soon his strength gave way to a cotidition of helplessness. This dread disease produces more agony, he says, than can well be described. “ For years I have suffered with Sciatic Rheumatism and often felt as if a small piece of my spine had been taken out, also as if a fragment of bombshell had passed through my left hip. When I would sit down, I could not straighten up for several minutes, and then only at the expense of great pain. 1 could get absolutely no relief, though many remedies were tried. Someone recommended S. S. S. and I was almost in despair when I began its use. In three days, however, I was so greatly relieved that I felt very little inconvenience from the rheuma tism. The disease grew less painful as I continued the S. S. S., and very soon disappeared entirely. S. S. S. also proved to he a fine tonic, as I now have more appetite, and feel better than ever before, in my life. I cannot say too much in praise of S. S. S.” Rheumatism is a condition of the blood which has always baffled the doctors, and it is a peculiarity that those who once have it are sure to al ways be subject to its attacks from time to time. The reason of this is that the doctors are only able to give temporary relief, but cannot rid the System of the disease permanently. S, S. S. is guaranteed Purely Vegetable and is the only real blood remedy for real blood troubles, such as Rheuma tism, Scrofula, Cancer, Eczema, Catarrh, Tetter, Contagious Blood Poison, etc. When S. S. S. once forces a disease from the system it never returns. Our valuable books will be mailed free to any address. Swift Specific Co., Atlanta, Georgia. Shingles! - Shingles! DRESSED LUMBER ! Sash, Doors, Blinds, Brackets, Mouldings, and All Kinds of Building Materials, For Sale at Lowest Cash Prices. Winter is tho timo to Imy warm clothing ami J. N. LTPLCOMB is tho man to huy it Irom. I will soli you a suit from ♦H.oO to $15.00. Overcoat# and Mackintoshes from $0.50 to $15.00. SHOES—I have tho host stock of Shoes in town—Men’s, Wo men’s and Children’s—at prices to suit all buyers. GROCERIES.—When it comes to Groceries I am the "World- Beater.” I have 1000 barrels of Flour on hand and in tran sit that I bought before the rise and will sell accordingly. Don’t fail to see me before you huy if you want to save money, i have 10 hags of that good old 71b Coffee on hand and a few barrels of 201b Sugar to sweeten it with. HARDWARE.—I have a complete line of Staple Hardware, such as Pocket and Table Cutlery, Nails, Plows, Wash Pots, Stoves, Guns, Pistols and Cartridges which I will sell as low as the lowest. Will give you Barbed Wire at 2Rl "Boy Dixie” Turn Plows at $1.25. lam selling the best Jellicp Lump Coal at $4.50 per ton, delivered. Respectfully, ♦ J. N. Lipscomb. !*• —Ladies wanting a nice dress made will find Mrs. Parker in my house who will he glad to serve them. Hurrah for the New County ! LIMESTONE * SPRINGS * LIME * WORKS, CARROLL & CO., Lessees. Manufacturers of BUILDING, * PLASTERING * AND * AGRICULTURAL -* LIME, And Dealers In Coal, Shingles, Lathes and Plater Hair. Uymamite, Blasting Powder, Fuse and Dynamite Caps. DuPRE DRUG COMPANY, 13I3i\LvlCI*S ir-c Pure Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Fine Stationery, &c. Prescriptions Carefully Compounded. Telephone No. 21 -0- I>epitr tin cut. Having opened up a Savings Department In our bank, besinnini; July 1st. 1HIW. wo will receive deposits of $1.00 and upwards and allow Interest, thereon at 4 per cent, per annum, payable quarterly when left in hunk 3 months or longer. Safety De posit lio.xes for rent. Vour patronage solicited. CARROLL & STACY. The Election is Over, and we got left on our presidtmtial candidate, hut our customers continue to Eat the Very Best just the same as if Bryan had won. Our stock is replete with all the latest and nicest groceries to he found anywhere, and we ‘wrli Continue to sell them at Gold Standard Prices— .which is, the very cheapest. Thanksgiving is coming and we will have many things to give thanks for, and all will want a Thanksgiving dinner. Let us supply the goods. ,r- > ik *-h rr fUr" BYARS & SPARKS. No charge will bo made‘for infor mation as to amount required for building. Call on Tbe Gaffney City Land and Improvement Company, .. J OJffer for Sale Building Lots in this Flourishing Town, O J5C IF IT ]%: E> Y CIYY. _ _ . ix r> Also Farms near by and in rcaeh of tho sehools of Limestone Springs L. dA1\ER« und of placeIn’lots of from 30 to 100 acres on liberal time rates. Also' Agricultural Lands to rent for farm purposes, For full particulars apply tt 1 MOSES WOOD, Agent. N. B.-^AIl trespassing on lands of this Company cutting and removing timber, fishing or hunting are forbidden under penalty of law. Caveau, and Trade-Marks obtained and all Pat ient buuneaa conducted (or MoocnaTC Fkcs. Our Orricc is Oepoairx O, S. Patkst Orricc and we can Mcurc patent to less timo tnaa tboac remote from Washington. i bend model, drawing or photo., with deamp- tlon. We advise, if patentable or not, free of charga. Our fee not due till patent la accured. i A LgT. “ How to Obtain Patcnta," with coat of aamu in the U. S. »<m1 foreign countries; Jaent free. 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