Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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3E 12EZSSSL * BW 1218 College Street NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA O. F. ABMFIELD Editor and Publisher Published Every Friday In The Year Entered as second-class matter December 6, 1937, at tht postoflice at Newberry, South Carolina, under tile Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Spectator Speaker of the House, Solomon Blatt, is quoted as predicting that the free and easy spending of recent years may be about to confront us with a show-down. Mr. Blatt is a notable public man and one of the most outright and effective figures in our State government. If Mr. Blatt is resolved to use his prestige and power for economy in public spending he will be a powerful ally of those who have seen the low- hanging clouds for some time. The address of Speaker Blatt re minds us that the Legislature will meet sonn; it will be in session when most papers publish this Spectator. It is well known that most of us agree on a proper program for the Legislature. Stated simply it is this: 1. Higher appropriations for all schools, teachers, colleges, the uni versity, the State Hospital the State Sanatorium the various training schools, the Department of Public Welfare. Yes, sir, most people are eager for one of them, or two, at least. (Please permit me to dissent for myself. I think all should un dergo a treatment of deflation or dehydration, beginning now.) But most people are desirous of Lower taxation, State, County and municipal. They also wish greater efficiency in government, together with the dismissal of hundreds of unnecessary employees. It should be said that municipal government—town and city govern ment—needs a sharp investigation in South Carolina. Most legislators keep an eye on their counties, but no one keeps an eye on town taxing. It cries out for a bit of examination, with certain definite restrictions on town prerogatives. Our town gov ernments derive their powers from the State; they are subordinate to the State; and both Constitutional and Statutory provisions are sup posed to govern the general scope of their functions. Something needs to be done about them. They levy taxes in night sessions, of their own mo tion, without notice or advertise ment; they do many things which are thoroughly undemocratic and more like Stalin in Bulgaria than Truman in America. Then we have a second program: lower taxes, less spending . But are we agreed on that? Once in a great campaign for reduction in State spending, there came to me a distin guished citizen—a tax-leaguer, an enthusiastic gladiator for economy. He was eager to cut every institu tion and service but one, and for that he was all-out, a free-spender, ready to join hands with the golden- spenders. We carry our pets into all relations. Reducing appropriations is not an easy task. All services have their friends; ah services have their mer its. I don’t know of any service that is noo desirable, although a blind man can see that we have some dup lication of service and some services not entirely indispensable. Our real point of attack (bad word, that) mustn’t be a few clerks or a few salaries. There are essential ser vices of the State (and Counties) and they are not usually over-staffed or overpaid. Some of our State ser vices are very economical and effi cient; others sprawl about a little. What we need is to retain necessary employees at livable pay and prac tice on the fill-ins who hold their jobs because Senator G or Represen tative X had to find a job for her or him. And they are all around the place. What we need most to avoid is the adoption of ambitious programs. Any program usually counts up rapidly. Neither the University nor any oth er institution should be able to com mit the State to obligations without specific authorization for that pre cise purpose. We have reason to believe that the day of reckoning is coming, as Mr. Blatt points out. If the . State ' is likely to suffer a deficit of $200,000 the next fiscal year, then the years following will likely be somewhat more drastic, because all this is part ar- 1 parcel of a general, though slow, readjustment to what we may re gard as normality. If as we see it today, the next fiscal year will show a deficit of $200,000, it is safer to expect $2,000,000. The excellent report of Mr. Blatt’s speech brings with force and clarity some timely advice. Mr. Blatt is a veteran of long service and talks to the point when he suggests that citi zens should speak out when the Leg islature is in session; and they should make their attitude known to the legislators. Mr. Blatt spoke of the pressure groups—and they are active, vigorous, well-financed and highly respectable. They want sortie- thing and they bring all the influ ence to bear that can be enlisted- all good people. If those who are opposed to the pressure policy don’t speak out, the legislators will think that the pressure groups are speak ing the mind of the State. Obvious ly a citizen vho is a member of a pressure group for a larger appro priation for one purpose is net in good condition to fight against other appropriations. 'Mr. Blatt is too dignified to say so, but it must be said that no citi zen makes an effective protest by telling his friends on the corners and in a restaurant that politicians are X Y and Z in iniquity and are wast ing the taxpayers’ money. Let the citizens attend the Commitee meet ings and register their opposition. ; If they appeal to Speaker Blatt, he will arrange for a hearing. It will be equally practicable to arrange for a hearing in the Senate. If the citi zen feels lost in the throng of lobby ists, let him form a group and enjoy the benefit of mass action. Businessmen should attend hear ings. The legislators are lawyer?— most of them—an(f are accustomed to lawyers. The simple, straight story of a man of affairs is much more impressive than the smooth re cital of a lawyer. Probably we have all thought much of General Patton. He must have been Stonewall Jackson, “Jeb” Stu art and Marshall Ney, all reborn^ in one man. He was a soldier’s soldier, the man of action, the born fighter. No one knows what the illustrious “Stonewall’’ would have done as a Supreme Commander. General Ro bert E. Lee, who was a fighter,^ a field leader, a superb tactician and a great strategist, found in Stoi. ••- wall Jackson a lieutenant who v us always ready. No one will ever for get Stonewall’s forced marches of forty miles a day!! Hardly have we seen a Chief and a lieutenant so ad mirably suited to each other. Both could be cautious, but both were eminently fighters, men of attack. The whole history of the Army of Northern Virginia under Lee was to attack the enemy all the time, strik ing at weak points and developing the advantage. That, of course, was Napoleon’s great art, and is the es sence of military leadership. Any body can land a million men and push on through with sufficient men and guns to crush the other side. J. E. B. Stuart is to us of the South the incomparable cavalry leader, having clash and genius al ways. Napoleon’s great cavalryman, Marshal Ney, was the hero of the invincible charge. General George S. Patton was a cavalryman, too, graduating from horses to tanks. He was the man at the front, the general riding at the head of his army, amid a storm of shells and bombs. Ahe men saw him at the front, on the roads, always urging, driving or leading. It was typical of his spirit that he jumped into the river and crossed back and forth twice to inspire his men. In warfare today the big generals may be—usualy are—in houses or huts, with maps and telephones, ra dios and telegraph, but the plumed Knight whom we still remember as the model of chivalry, went forth to battle, man to man, on his great charger. He has been the inspira tion of all fighting men. His type today is the airman, going out to meet the enemy man to man, thou sands of feet in the air. A field leader like General Pat ton is worth several divisions by himself. He arouses the men to a pitch or martial fervor which makes the an attacking force of incalcula ble fury. Spectator salutes respectfully and cordially the General Assembly of South Carolina. Many of the mem bers, both Senators and Represen tatives, honor Spectator with their •personal friendship; still others are former tax-leaguers and are old com rades; and others, still, are well aware of the pitfalls and are prudent in public commitments, just as they are in private business. As Mr. Blatt implied, they want to hear the voice of the people. The session could be brief; a few matters could be quickly arranged. Central price determination, or even central purchasing could be required in the appropriation bill, for that would be a detail regulating the spending of the money appropriated. The State Ballot, of which so much has been written, could be readily granted by a simple amendment to the law. It is so simple that the Se nate and House need not balk at it. Something needs to be done to as sure honest primaries. In most counties the general result is not op en to serious challenge, but in some counties we have (“election-fixers,” who do whatever may be necessary to count the “wrong man” out. Some of those men should be sent to jail. The “fixed-election’’ is the greatest menace to popular government. If the people rule, then let them rule. Who are the men and what are their credentials that they nullify the ac tion of the people? These Super men, Superior politicians, P- litical Moguls, whom do they represent? And upon what meat do they feed that they have grown so great? Some clarification of the Work man’s Compensation Act is needed; and the bills of former Senator Sims, somewhat amended, should improve the Unemployment Compensation Act. Along with this, let there be no increases of anything, but a strict scruting of every dollar to assure only what is indispensable. Seen Along The Roadside By J. M. Eleazer, Clemson Extension Information Specialist Farm Cooperative can succeed. I saw that at Spartanburg back in December. To fill a need, the Clemson Exten sion Service organized the Smith Carolina Peach Growers Association back in early 1924, according to Gen eral Manager T. H. Cribb’s remarks opening that meting. District Agent T. P. Young was their sales mana ger, and for his year’s work on that he received a gold watch. Now his association has 212 mem bers, shipped 3,450 carloads of peaches the past season, sold 50 car- lots by truck, and canned a like amount in its up-to-date cannery. It was instrumental in getting aid for Clemson some years ago for building a pilot plant that has since worked out techniques for canning our free stone peaches. Quick-freezing, dry ing, and preserving are other lines of peach investigation under way in that plant now. The association charges 10c a bushel for marketing peaches. This year the total cost was 7c, leaving 3c •per bushel profit. Its net worth is $237,736, and the net. earning for the past season was $40,454.94 on sales and $38,545.18 on purchases for mem bers. Most of this goes back to growers as dividends and some to operating capital. It sold 1,347,774 bushels for $3,702,634.99 in 1945. It is looking to the future, as evi denced by discussions of quick-freez ing and other possible new outlets by A. E. Schilletter of the Clemson Ex tension Service, who has been its secretary since it was organized in 1924. A man who knew Texas told me the other day that there were mil lions of acres of cotton land still in Texas—just as good as what they have. All they have to do is turn the sod, plant cotton and then pray —for rain. That’s all. No fertili zer and practically no grass nor weed's. Up in Oconee they were telling me of a great old fox dog they had. The fellow I was talking with said he went along one cold night to see this old dog work. Frost was over the ground like a small snow—covering up the trail. Yes, covering it up for all of them except this old fellow. He just licked the frost off the leaves there, picked up the scent, and gave them one of the best fox chases this man had ever heard. Said the dog had a very deep bass voice, and when he realy let out his music the acorns started faling for at least a half mile around. Griffin said that man really wasn’t a liar, but he just couldn’t tell the truth. FRIDAY. JANUARY 11, 1M* FEAR AN UPSWING IN HOG CHOLERA Is another upswing In hog cholera losaea due this year? Since this disease first swept Ohio a hundred years ago. It has tended to recur in cycles. The peak of these cycles is reached about every ten to thirteen years. Even during the low point of occurence several thousand outbreaks are usually reported, with estimated losses up to $30,000,000. Veterinarians and livestock health officials are deeply concerned that cholera may flare badly this year, •specially as the cycle is now long overdue. Contributory factors are failure to seasonally Immunize thous ands of herds because of unfavorable market outlooks, the heavy carry over of unvaccinated brood sows, and a general let down In sanitation and husbandry methods because ef the farm labor shortage. Common danger signals of a pend ing cholera outbreak are: The death of one or more pigs; failure to eat; a tendency to hide in the litter; weak ened hind legs; staggering gait; gum my eyelids; discolored skin. There is no way to forecast when or where hog cholera may strike, Often the first symptoms are mis* taken for leas serious hog ailments, V* ^>6 12 ’26 *38 rfi|m e - Chart riwwing recurring cholera eyelsa Tet delay may result in total death loss of an swine on the farm. The only safe procedure, and the most In expensive Insurance policy against cholera losses is proper vaccination of all susceptible swine on the farm even though no hog cholera is knows to exist In the Immediate neighbor) hoed. That seems to be especially sound practice this season. “You can’t starve a profit into i chickens”, said Assistant County Agent J. C. Morgan as he addresed the prize winning 4-H’ers at their 4-H Festival recently at Seneca. And livestock men will tell you that this holds for all sorts of stock. Livestock and poultry are only means of marketing feed. If you don’t have the feed you sure don’t need the stock. Saw a man at Anderson the other day who has farmed for 90 years— yes, ninety years. The first of those years he was of course, only a hoe hand. He was 98 years old Col. W. R. Pickens, who is still pretty spry. He sang a song for the crowd—one he made up himself. It had many verses. But the crescendo was reached in the refrain when it said “And I will soon see Lee in heaven.” And when he got to that he could hardly contain himself—the flash of the old '‘rebel’’ was in his eye—and he was as a man had the very acme of existence waiting for him just over the hill. When I saw the serene features, of that great Lee a few days later in marble in the Hall of Fame in Wash ington I could understand in some small measure the magnetism of this the world’s greatest soldier. In one of his addresses in this state during his recent visit Secre tary of Agriculture Anderson said: “We have succeded in producing 2 blades where one grew before, and are well on our way to the third. But we haven’t learned fully what to do with the second one yet.’ Truly, if there are hungry folks and naked ones in this old world, it is not the American farmer’s fault. Production is clicking. Distribution and the ability to buy creak badly at spots. Saw many patches of that Clem son spineless okra growing here and there over the state the past sum mer. Everyone seemed to like it. As a result of mentioning in this column that we had a little of that seed from the experiment station to distribute last spring, 493 letters were received requesting it. They came from all counties. Along with it we suggested that they save seed from it and share with neighbors. I hope many of you did that and’ in 1946 his sharing will carry this im proved okra to many more farms. Thus the result from his small piece of Clemson’s work will be able to reach a lot of folks quick. The farm outlook for 1946—that is what will be discussed at the coun ty outlook meetings to be held all over the state in the immediate fu ture. MRS KATHERINE SPEARMAN Mrs. Katherine Ashley Spearman, 73, widow of Marcus L. Spearman, died Sunday at the Columbia hospital after a short illness. The daughter of the late Lawrence A. Ashley of Barnwell county and Annie Lucas Ashley of Charlottes ville, Va., she had been a resident of Newbery for many years. She was prominently identified with civic organizations of the city, being a member of the Drayton Ru therford chapter U. D. C., and of the First Baptist church. Her husband was vice-president of the Exchange bank and a prominent citizen of Newberry. He died in 1935. Survivors include a son, Lawrence A. Spearman; a daughter, Mrs. Ca therine Elders; two sisters, Mrs. James Lathan .and Mrs. Duncan Jones; three grandchildren. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3:30 at Leavell funeral home with the Rev. J. Aubrey Estes in charge. Interment followed in Rosemont cemetery. Perhaps there was never a time that change was greater in the pic ture of the future. Your county meeting will be the place to hear the outlook for things that affect you diesussed. Was in Washington recently. Al ways visit the Hall of Fame in the Capitol. Our Calhoun stands-out there. He has “that lean and hungry look” of a man with great prowess and purpose. Will Rogers, in characteristic pose and loose-fitting suit, looks quizzical ly at the feet of our Hampton, as though holding back a smile at the funny whiskers on Hampton’s face. Don't see much rye over the state any more. Some persists in the sandhills. It is also shrinking constantly , in the nation. Reason—most of the land will make more bushels of wheat. And even for grazing, the place we formerly used a lot of it, rye is vanishing. Reason—it gets tough so early in the spring, and the fact that we have WANTED Young Lady for Office Assistant APPLY TO Dr. Z. Cecil Lynch 1304 MAIN STREET CORK OAK ACORNS TO BE PLANTED By W. A. Ridgeway, Assistant Coun ty AgMlt The Crown Cork and Sea ICompany of Baltimore, Md., has promised to send 19 pounds of cork acorns for the 4-H boys of Newberry county to plant during January. Cork Oak trees resemble our native live oak and make very good shade as wel las being ornamental. By growing cork we will become less dependent on imported cork and thereby put us in a better position in the event of a national emergecy. The 4-H boys of Newberry county are always willing and anxious to do whatever they can to help. Columbia DIAMOND RINGS ' S ady GumVilca? | Engagement Ring $200*00 Wedding Ring $50.00 20% Federal Tsx Included Created to express the words you wanted most to say. For, in Columbia Diamond Rings, eternity is crafted into their quality . . . richness into their beauty . . . elegance into their style. They ora yours to have and treasure always in the name of love. OTHM COLUMBIA DIAMOND tINOS UP TO 4*SO FENNELL'S SUDGIT PAYMENTS IE DiSIRfD i The South Carolina National Bank CONDENSED STATEMENT of CONDITION December 31, 1945 Creative Spark By GEORGE S BENSON President of Harding College Searcy. Arkansas E3 INVENTION is declining in the United States. Between 1930 and 1943 patent applications went down about half at the Patent Office in Washington. To be very technical, the drop was 54% per 100,000 of the country’s popula tion. If the total number of pat ents apnlied for annually had varied l great«deal in former years, this would not be so sur prising, but it had not. From 1900 to 1930 our number of patents increased each year, about like the population grew. Many people played at being in ventors. And out of this wave of creative energy came useful things. Patent applications reached an all-time high between 1925 and 1930, and (population considered) patents actually granted broke a 50-year record, only a few months later. Inventions INVENTION is the Make Jobs spark of creative thought. It was dur ing America’s era of invention that the people of the United States rose up industrially and climbed to the top of the world, in wealth, in education, in health and in living standards. Inven tions increase employment, boost wages and shorten working hours. Inventions create infinitely more jobs than they destroy. F. O. Richey of Cleveland, Ohio, one of the nation’s distin guished patent attorneys, in formed me recently that the his tory of invention divides natur ally into four periods: (1) Be fore the 17th Century when there were no patent laws and few in ventions; (2) The 17th and 18th Centuries with poor patent laws poorly administered; (3) From early in the 19th Century to 1933, and (4) since. Eventful AMERICA'S era of in- Century vention covered more than a century back of 1933, a period with Ben Franklin at one end and Thomas Edison at the other, in which Chief Justice John Marshall stood out for fair use of the patent system. Those were the years when inventions and their scientific development were profitable to men of intellect — schools of engineering and chemistry flourished. The Latin who called Necessity the mother of Invention was wrong. Necessity makes people improvise; Invention springs from love of achievement and hope of reward for good ideas. Among Europeans, the Swiss have the most freedom and lead in inven tions. The Chinese, having no hope of reward, invent little. In America, our Patent Office safe guarded the reward in the 19th Century. In the last dozen years, how ever, the U. S. patent system has been the target of much verbal attack. Holders of patents are pointed at as if they had stolen something. Moreover the rewards, that come (by nature suddenly) to inventors, are twisted from them by taxation. What is the result? Inventors are not invent ing. Must America’s creative spark be quenched, or may her inventors be rewarded? ASSETS Cash and Due from Banks U. S. Government Bonds State and Municipal Bonds Federal Land Bank and Fed. Int. Credit Bank Bonds Federal Reserve Bank Stock Loans and Discounts Banking Houses (II) Leas: Reserve for Depreciation Furniture and Fixtures Other Real Estate __ Other Assets $ 61,421,677.15 1 63,077,604.91 661,985.70 _. 556,250.00 ” 97,950.00 28,321,272.46 $505,875.00 97,223.50 408,651.50 117,575.87 1.00 100,941.66 $164,763,809.63 LIABILITIES Capital — Common $ 1,320,000.00 Capital — Preferred 846,000.00 Surplus .. 1,150,000.00 Undivided Profits 637,505.99 Reserve —Ret. Prefered Stock 650,000.00 Reserve — Contingencies 250,000.00 Reserve — For Taxes, etc. 262,645.97 Deposits 149,648,667.67 $154,763,809.63 OFFICES AT: ANDERSON — BELTON — CHARLESTON — CHERAW — COLUMBIA DILLON — FLORENCE — FORT JACKSON — GEORGETOWN — GREENVILLE LEESVILLE — NAVY YARD — NEWBERRY — PICKENS — ST. MATTHEWS SENECA — SUMTER MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION