Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r- r"^Ot FOUft THE NEWBERRY SUN FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1944 1218 College Street NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA 0. F. ARMFIELD Editor and Publisher Published Every Friday In The Year Entered as second-class matter December 8, 1937. at tht postoffiee at Newberry, South Carolina, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. DISGUSTING! The daily press howls loudly when the spectre of censorship appears in any quarter and well it might. But unless the dailies show better taste and judgment in publishing sensa tional news a censor is in order. We refer to the lurid details car ried in the press of the state and na tion in the past few days in the Chaplin trial. The fact that Charlie Chaplin is a well known figure does not make his low morjals more ac ceptable as decent reading matter. Immorality is immorality, and the stark details of Chaplin’s relations with a woman of questionable char acter should find no space in a family newspaper. The plea of the newspapers is of course that they are giving the pub lic what it wants but that depends on what section of the public they have in mind. Surely that publishers of daily newspapers in South Caro lina know that the majority of their readers have no time for this sort of stuff. And even if they did, that still would not justify their publish ing it. If the function of a news paper is not to enlighten and edu cate as well as to inform we have misunderstood its mission all along. Publication of this sort of rot is disgusting and it is high time editors of South Carolina dailies know it. ’RAH FOR THE DEMOCRATS! Not content with being the most Democratic state in the Union, Sopth Carolinians have added two more parties by that name to make doubly sure of squeezing out the Republi- is the point in human destinies to whch all the glories and toils of men have at last led them. Derth stands at attention, obe dient, expectant, ready to serve, ready to shear away the peoples on reidy. if called on, to pulverize without hope of re pair what is left of civilization. He awaits only the word of com mand. He awaits it from a frail, bewildered being, long his victim, now—for one occasion only—his Master.” This, then is the problem—far more immediate and acute today than it was twenty years ago. It cannot complacently be left to time bo solve. We canont count on geolo gic ages for the development of methods of social control. What we do in this generation and the next may well decide the kind of civiliza tion, if any, which is to dominate the globe for centuries to come. We now have it within our power to tear the world to pieces whenever passion and emotion call the tune. We must hope that we have it within our power, too, although the opportunity may slip from our grasp not soon to be regained, to make this Franken stein creature which we have built, the servant and not the master of the people. Nobody can be sure of the formu la by which this end can be achieved. All that we know is that it will take knowledge and wisdom almost be yond what seems available at the moment. We must draw on all the resources to which access can be had—spiritual resources, educational resources, the contributions of the humanities and the social sciences, the fellowship of scholars, the com mon hopes of people in all countries, the ties that bind the human race together across boundary lines. And we must be fearless in our devising, ready to cast out intolerance and partisan advocacy, unafraid of new plans for cooperative action, even when they run counter to traditions and techniques which have long been cherished. For the peril we face is real and immediate, and we need the boldness, the adaptability and the buoyant faith of the pioneers if we are to meet it.—From yearly sum mary of Rockefeller Foundation. cans—or for some other reason. First of the new parties is the New Democratic party pledged to knife FDR and New Dealism from Dan to Bersheeba. This party will not get far in South Carolina this year and will die with the passing of FDR from the political scene. The second new party is the Negro j Democratic party and this may have) more effect on South Carolina poli tics than all the whites marching un der Democratic banners put togeth er. THE SPECTATOR What’s wrong with a merit system in our public service? The State, in a story about the South Carolina Senate Committee on personnel, says that its investigations lead “but to one conclusion, and that is that our State is badly in need of a modern personnel system, suited and adapted to the conditions existing in our If the negro builds up a strong party it will mean that whites will have to take their voting privilege more seriously and take a greater interest in selecting candidates for office. There are almost as many negroes in this state as whites and in many counties there are more. If the Negro Democratic party cast more votes in a given county than the whites and enters its nominee in general elections and votes for him there, there is no legal way to keep him from holding the office to which he is elected. The white Democrats in South Carolina are notoriously careless about voting in general elections and with a little organization the negro will easily outvote him unless he wakes up. We doubt if the Negro’s entry into politics is a good thing for him at this time, but it could .serve to bring the white man to a realization of his duty as a voter and a citizen. FRANKENSTEIN The supreme question which con fronts our generation today—the question to which all other problems are merely corollaries—is whether our technology can be brought under contrcl. Is man to be the master, of the destructive energies he has created, or is he to be their victim ? Will this physical power which he already possesses and these new forces which are now within 1 his grasp be employed to serve the race in constructive ways, or will they be a Frankenstein monster that will slay its own maker? In brief, has man the wisdom and the ethical and spiritual powers to control the forces which he as himself let loose? If science were standing still, if no new powers were to be added to those already in man’s possession, the problem might eventually find solution. But, of course, the idea is fanciful. We are merely at the be ginning of progress in our technolo gies. New powers and weapons are just around the corner, powers and weapons which the utmost wisdom could scarcely be trusted to use aright —airjrlanes larger and more deadly than those now employed, explosives capable of farflung destruction be yond anything we dream of at the moment. Twenty years ago, in an article which he entitled “Shall We Commit Suicide?” Mr. Winston Churchill summed up the situation in these prophetic and eloquent paragraphs: “It is established that nations who believe their life is at stake will not be restrained from using any means to se;ure their exis tence. It is probable—nay, cer tain—that among the means which will next time be at their disposal will be agencies and processes of destruction whole sale, unlimited, and perhaps, once launched, uncontrollable. “Mankind has never been in this position before. Without having improved appreciably in virtue or enjoying wiser guid ance, it has got into its hands for the first time the tools by which it can unfailingly accom plish its own extermination. That State. . . . This does not necessarily mean that wf .should adopt any form of merit system and we do not so rec ommend. This does mean, however, that a system should be set up so that our positions in the State gov ernment should be classified and a uniform standard of pay adopted, whereby all employees will receive equal pay for equal work done”. Sounds all right, but the difficulty is in applying the rule. Who is to determine the quality of service? One young lady of twenty- five may be the supremely competent helper one who knows the work in all the ramifications, including all whom the office deals with; another may be a good worker, but only mechanically competent; yet another may be a stylist in hose and dresses but not in official production; still another may be merely pretty. Quite clearly these are not entitled to the same pay, but if the bureau chief speaks for one—then what? Or if she be forced on some office by a legislator—then what? The Com mittee speaks truly in referring, to one employee receiving several salar ies. Where are the over-paid employ ees? Are they really needed at all? So far as I’ve observed the Consti tutional offices are not over-staffed; the commissions, or other legisla tive creations, seem to have more office helpers. The Tax Commission enjoys a general reputation for effi ciency, but the man on the street thinks that favorites are .placed in most State services for political pur poses. We might wish that the In vestigating Committee had told us what they found. As to a merit rating—there seems to foe a question in South Carolina as to the meaning of merit rating. A man or woman can develop merit through experience. The best fitness for any jefo should be the proved ability to do the work. An examina tion, a sort of academic exploration, is at best a makeshift; while the demonstrated ability on the job should be worth vastly more. Whom would you rather have: the proved, successful salesman, who can’t write a good report, or the letter-writing artist who can’t sell a bill of goods ? Or the agriculturist, agronomist or botanical philosopher of literary fluency, who either had to leave the farm, unless wise enough never to go there ,as compared with the hor ny-handed, two-fisted farmer, who produces crops and makes a living ? rom the land? People gnow with their work and develop capabilities through trial and error. That training on the job is usually worth more than all the theorizing. Many a slim lad can throw a beseball twice as fast as the hefti est blacksmith because he has de veloped baseball power through prac tice. From The State of Saturday I picked up some real news. A news story tells us that there is being or ganized a South Carolina Colored Democratic Party, to support Presi dent Rosevelt for a fourth term. I quote the story from The State: “Possibility yesterday was that there would be two Democratic par ties in South Carolina this summer. “One is the regular Democratic party of which Winchester Smith of Barnwell County is chairman. “The other, according to The Lighthouse and Informer, a Negro newspaper, published weekly at 1022 1-2 Washington Street, in Co lumbia, made announcement of for mation of a plan for organizing the “South Carolina Democratic Party” which, the paper says, could hold its convention and elect delegates to the national Democratic convention And also elect presidential electors. “The editorial, under the caption, “ANSWER FOR THE WHITE PRI MARY”, reads as follows.: “In South Carolina, despite their overwhelming appreciation for both President and Mrs. Roosevelt, be cause of their race, Negroes cannot vote in the Democratic Party, the party of their President and com- mander-in-ohief. thus have they writhed in political squalor since the days of Ben Tillman and the passing of “Reconstruction.” “After considerable study and planning we have formed a plan by which every Negro so inclined in South Carolina may be a Democrat and vote for his Democratic presi dent. Easily done and without much bother it provides for the formation of “Fourth Term For Roosevelt” clubs throughout the state incorpor ated under the “South Carolina Col ored Democratic Party.” This year, the party could hold a convention, choose delegates to the national Demooratie conventon and elect pre- sdent electors. It would not be rul ed or open to white persons for the time being. “Along this line our staff is com pleting organizational suggestions any interested persons may have copies of provided, however, they in close a stamped, self-addressed en velope when requesting the informa tion.” About a week ago I received by Special Delivery, without note or name, a leaflet caling on the negroes to vote the Democratic ticket because of the services o fthe Roosevelts to the negroes. Carolina farmers have decided to af filiate with the Farm Bureau. It isn’t going to be a political affair for I find Robert R. Coker of Hartsville as president. This is the capable and public-spirited son of the remember ed David R. Coker. Those men are glad to serve the enduring interests of the people but they are not politi cians. As a farmer, I expect to join, if they don’t black-ball me. In the group are so many men I have en joyed serving with: J. Wade Drake of Anderson, James B. Guess of Denmark Clarence Asbill of Wagener, J. W. Gaston of Duncan, B. W. Cros- land of Aiken, Clarence Dicks of Dunbarton, J. F. Bland of Mayesville, S. A. Harvin of Sumter, B. F. Wil liamson of Darlington, J. C. Miller of Jefferson. Here are men I’ve known in the Farmers and Taxpayers Lea gue, the South Carolina Farm Coun cil or The National Cotton Council. They are just a sample, for I know by deputation many others of the same fine quality. And I reserve for special mention the name of Neville Bennett, distinguished for his legislative work, and one of the best I equipped and best poised men in the I South Carolina Legislature during 1 this generation. Yes, I’ll join, if they’ll let me; and I suggest that every South Carolina farmer join this group and form a solid front for agriculture. One of my audience from Chester County asks this question: “Must A South Carolina Democrat Vote For The Nominee Of The National Demo cratic Convention If He Votes In The Primary For County And State Of ficers ?” In 1938 the South Carolina Democratic Convention amended Rule 32 of the Party so that a Demo crat may vote the I>emoeratic ticket for State and County officials and vote for his choice on the National ticket without being bound to sup port .the National Nominee of the Party. My friend has expressed a great deal of concern about this; and I do not doubt that many others are equally anxious. It is interesting to recall that in 1938 President Roosevelt was so strong in South Carolina that a Governor was elected 1 as his special friend ,and the President adopted the unusual course of calling on the peo ple of South Carolina to throw Got ten Ed Smith out. Notwithstanding all this, the State Convention of the Democratic Party of South Carolina was so thoroughly out of smypathy with Mr. Roosevelt that it refused to .pass resolutions endorsing the admin istration, and amended Rule 32, heed less cf the earnest, almost tearful ap peals of some of our foremost public men. Whether Mr. Roosevelt has grown in strength and favor in South Carolina, since 1938, is anyone's guess; if we would judge by the newspapeijs of South Carolina, we might conclude that he has lost much of his strength. That must be true, unless the newspapers are so far ahead of the voters that they ex press a degree of independent think ing not common to the State. I certainly am not lacking in re spect for our Carolina press; ratfier have the greatest regard for our editors and the service they render to the public. In this, with all regard for the independence and soundness of editorial policy, I .still believe that the editors are reflecting an opinion that is becoming very general in this State. During the last year of President Hoover’s administration a great paper of the North, speaking of President Hoover used this memor able sentence: “President Hoover has exhausted his mandate”. I think one might say, with all respect and re gard for Mr. Roosevelt, that after eleven long and turbulent years in the presidency he has exhausted his mandate. This America of ours is rich in ability and should call upon her sons to come to her service with fresh blood, fresh vitality and new vision. Years ago when there was an elec tion between Demosthenes and Aristi des in ancient Athens, a citizen vot ed against Aristides merely because he was tired of hearing of Aristides. There is much in that. The News and Courier tells us that 90 .per cent of the employees of a great bank in Augusta, Georgia, are women, and that the bank is well pleased with them as members of the staff. A well known South Carolina banker came to see me one day and told me that he had brought a lot of data to Columbia to get the assist ance of a lady who had been his right hand for twenty-five years. My friend had so many papers in a great bag that I wondered if he had brought along a sailor’s kit of rai ment for his leave. Women have remarkable qualities. I am not thinking of charm, or subtle feminine mastery over men; they are better at detail than men; and many of our commonest jokes are our failure to appreciate feminine genius. Man-like, we laugh at what we don’t understand. COTTON GINNING REPORT Census report shows that 14,512 bales of cotton were ginned in New berry county from the crop of 1943, as compared with 16,095 bales for the crop of 1942. Final report for 1943 crop. WANT AOS FOR SALE—Stove and fire wood. Coker 100 & 4 in one wilt resistant cotton seed for planting. H. 0. Long, Silverstreet, S. C. NOTICE—I am prepared to assist you in filing your 1944 income es timate due April 15. Mrs. A. H. COUNTS, The Sun office, Phones 1 or 414-M. WE WILL BUY—Your burlap sacks or any kind of old rags, also scrap iron and other metals. See W. H. STERLING. FOR SALE—Arrostock Maine grown seed Irish Potatoes. Johnson-Mc- Craekin Co. 3tc FOR SALE—Fresh stock field and garden seeds. Johnson-McCrackin Co. 3tc WRIST WATCHES—We have a limited supply of wrist watches for ladies and men. Sears, Roe buck and Co., 1210 Caldwell St. Phone 430. TO PREVENT CROWS from pullin corn up treat with Psstex. Johnsoi McCrackin Co. WRIST WATCHES—We have limited supply of wrist watch for ladies and men. Sears, Ro buck and Co., 1210 Caldwell S Phone 430. LOANS ON Real Estate Automobiles and Personal Property NEWBERRY Ins. & Realty Co. NED PURCELL, Manager Phone 197 Exchange Bank. Bldg. Well here’s the news to me: South WILD LIFE SOUTH CAROLINA IN I WITH PROF FRANKLIN .SHERMAN | HEAD*C.L.6MSOM COLLEGE -WSPT OF ZOOLOGY COMMON GARTER-SNAKE The common garter-snake is so called because, of its wide range and relative abundance. It is found throughout the eastern states (and Canada), and the Mississippi valley, and is probably the most abundant of all snakes. We have found it com mon to 6,000 feet in our southern mountains (Mt. Mitchell, N. C.). though it varies considerably in colo ration, h. is well known. It is active most of the year; in our S. C. mountains it has been found active as early as March 12; at Clemson as early as February 27; around Charleston as late as Decem ber 28; and even in nourthern Mich igan I found a fresh-killed one in mid-November. It attains larger size than other | less common species of garter, or j ribbon snakes though it is very closely related to them. It’s head is somewhat broadened and often shows ^ an inclinaion to be vicious, but it is not venomous. It readily takes ref uge in water, if available. It feeds on frogs, toads, salaman ders, earthworms and insects, but probably not on fishes; nor does it feed much on warm-blooded prey (birds or mammals). Garter snakes are born alive, as many as 50 in one brood. So far as we know the parent devotes no par ticular attention to the young and they soon fare for themselves. Of this species perhaps more often than any other snake, it is asserted that at the approach of danger the young will take refuge in the throat of the mother, and that she releases them when danger is past. It is iperhaps idle to debate this matter, but no snake-student ihas ever known any snake to do such a thins. Most students do not believe it to occur. Some assertions are very positive and there are grounds for admitting that it might, possible, conceivably, be true. But I don’t believe it; there are too many ways to be mis taken in what one thinks he sees, and this is especially true in relation to snakes. Many people kill any snake on sight, or retreat from them entirely. Only a few people really study snakes. There is much for the aver age person to learn—and much to unlearn—if he desires to have an ac curate understanding of them. NEGRO 4-H CLUB WINNERS ANNOUNCED The winners in the 1943 Food for Victory contest for South Carolina negro 4-H club members have been announced. This contest was spon sored by the South Carolina Bankers association in cooperation with the South Carolina Agricultural Exten sion Service and financed by indivi dual banks in the state. The state winners for the 4-H girls are: Lucile Cain, route 2, Cam eron, and Carrie Lee Brewton, route 1, Moore. State winner® for the 4-H •boys are: Elisha Garrett, route 1, Salley, and Theodore Douglas, route 4, Chester. Each of the state win ners were given a $25 war bond. The county winners for Newberry county are: Eliza Lou Clark, route 3, Newberry, Robert Clark, route 2, Whitmire, Coggte Lee Dudley route 3, Newberry, and William Clark, route 3 Newberry. Each of the county winners were given a $2.50 Defense Stamp Book. This is one of the activities en gaged in by the banks of the state to aid in promoting a better pro gram of agriculture in South Caro lina and to aid in the war effort. Every 4-H member’s record was judged according to the increased efforts on the part of the member and the family, the animal increases, and the increased amounts of food and feed produced, conserved and used. Contributing to the contest from Newberry county was the S. C. Na tional Bank of Newberry. (RECREATION BUILDING IS FORMERLY OPENED Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Rice, C. A. Cameron, Miss Mary Cameron and Miss Annie Livingston were guests Monday night of Sgt. and Mrs. Leonard Cameron in Columbia. Las- Thursday evening, March 24, the recreation building, which had been given Newberry college by the citizens of Newberry, was formerly opened.. A .number of representa tive people in Newberry came and mingled with the students and fac ulty during this hour. Just before the doors opened the V-12 band played, as only navy men know how to play, “Anchors Aweigh”. During the evening music was furnished by the V-12 orchestra. Welcoming the visitors were Presi dent and Mrs. James C. Kinard, Miss Hattie Bell Lester. Dean of Women, Mrs. R. H. Wright, Mrs. J. H. Summer, Mrs. George K. Domi nick, and Mrs. Thompson Price, the .official hostess. The building has been furnished very attractively. Funds for this purpose were raised by the equip ment committee, composed of lead ing women of Newbeity. The col lege League donated a set of eight very beautiful .pictures. Others have made individual contributions of pictures, desk lamps, chairs etc. President Kinard says that even tually the building should have a formal and official name. None has yet been selected. He would appre ciate suggestions on this from inter ested friends. ATFIfttr MNFFA c o'-® -666 USE 646 TABLETS. SALVE. NOSE DOOM Tax Notice After the close of business on March 31, 1944 7 per d Penalty will be added to all unpaid 1943 State and County taxes. On April 15 all taxes go into ex ecution with collection costs of an additional 3 per cent. J. Ray Dawkins COUNTY TREASURER