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WE ONES DA Y, JANUARY 18,1905. The Sumter Watchman was founded is 1&50 and the True Southron, in 18GS. Thc Watchman and Sovihrcn now has the com? bined circulation and influence of both ol the old pap?is, and is manifestly the best advertising medium in Sumter. .As soon as some lattsr-day states? men begin talking of investigating the dispensary we begin thinking of the price of lime. . ? * -A. compulsory education law would fce a. good tnt 3s for the children ?.f Senth Carolina, but it would play the mischief with tne oid bum.-; who 'ive and loaf on "the proceeds of their lit? tle children's labor. * .* # The question of taxation is by far t&e most importan!; that will come be? fore <?he .present iiegislature, but we great?y fear tka*. is usual, little u?l be d?en ie reform and remedy the grave inequalities that exist under the - present system. The fault lies not in J, the amount of the tax levy^but in the excessively low valuation placed cpon property when returned fer Fix? ation. For instance, we heard re centiy ai a sale of land for something more than nine times the amount which it was returned for taxation. If this lot was worth nine times the returned value the board of equaliza? tion should have increased the valu? ation. That it was worth more than the valuation placed upon it by the owner when he made his tax returns was made evident when he asked and received; in cash, more than nine times the amount he paid taxes on. This is not an unusual or isolated instance. The fact is, there is not a single piece of property in Sumter county returned at its anerket value. Farming land that cannot be bought for $20 an acre ls j returned at $2; a lot in this city that*: would -sell for $i,Q0? is returned Xor ^ $200, or less; a dwetting^ouse worth $3,909 appears on the tax books with ; ar ^alsation of $750 or $1,200. This system of under valuation deprives the state of its just and lawful in^ j jcome and makes our tax rates appear ] ?aftmermally high to one net acquainted -with the South Carolina methods of -swearingoff taxes.. The entire system - needs lo be changed and there should | . be in ?every oounjky a board of ap- j : praisers who wo??d Justly and rigidly j "require the return of all property j -at a fair valuation. It is not fair to j >tax a man . who has one hqrse worth j f $100 TO a -validation of $60. and anoth- j ??ar assail who lias: five worth $100 each j ' on a valuation of $40 each, or to iax*onev-who, possesses 4&ty . $50 worth of household goods on a valuation of 940 while his neighbor, who has $5.000 worth of personal property, pays on a valuation of only $1.000. Cash money, stocks, -bonds.. etc^-the invsible form <?f property-largely escape taxation ?aKasether; while the man who pays a ?tax on lils Income is a curiosity. There are, we cndeesi&nd, only ther? or four such rarities In Sumter county, while there are, probably, twenty times that number who enjoy incomes that exceed tile minimum that the law requires to be returned for taxation. The conclu? sion of the whole matter is that there is no lack of property in South Caro? ona to yield tile s?tate a sufficient in? come, but a lack of honest returns. INo one county, nor no one property Kjrwner, can. however, inaugurate the .reform ,but it must -of necessity be estate-wide in its operation. If one man returns bis property at full value he will pay more tuan his just share to- i ward the support of thc county and slate governments; if one county should, by some miiacie, enforce a rale requiring all property to be re? turned at its market value it would <io tsar mere than its share in bearing eine burden of the: state government; .consequently we have become a tax dodging people and the pernicious sys? tem of false and deceptive tax returns lias fastened itseiif upon us and it ?itna almost impossible to throw it off. "VT^ are all disgusted with it, and we SbsBere. ?hat the great majority of ?property owners would gladly welcome carry ofeaage that would make pos? sible fair aad honest tax returns and Chat would require and compel every property owner to pay taxes on every doSar*s worth of property. . ? . 2s Roosevelt a Democrat because he advocates one measure that is essen? tially Democratic ia principle, or is Bryan a Republican because he en endorses the president who is wholly Republican in ail things save his ad? vocacy of a singt? Democratic meas ore? One conclusion would be as far? fetched as the other. . ? * There will be no tariff revision dur? ing President Roosevelt's administra? tion, if he is guided by the wishes of ?he Republican bosses in the senate and house. They have no desire to of? iciad the trusts and the tariff is the mainstay and support of ninety-nine per eent. ?f all the trusts, for it ena? bles them to rob the public in a leis i2rely and lawful manner. Neverthe? less it is a difficult position in which ?be president has placed theses-bosses, -for they must henceforth shoulder the ?n?ire responsibility for the tariff, x,'i?le President Roosevelt, the smooth est practical politiean in the land, re? mains on good t?rms with the trusts, . for has he not referred the tariff re? vision nightmare to their very good friends, the senate and house leaders, who will do them no harm, while he can say to the public that; he demand j ed tariff revision in their interest, but was over-ruled by his party leaders in congress, without whose active sup , port he could do nothings Mr: Roose vel saves both the tariff and his face by one astute stroke of policy. THE NEW RAILROAD. It can now be positively announced that the construction of the Sumter and Northern railroad from Ibis city, via Bishopville, to a point on the Seaboard Air Line ?is assured. One of the gentlemen who has been most ac? tive in the promotion of the enter pdise made this statement today and as he has hertofore been most con? servative in his views respecting thc immediate success of the undertaking, the entire confidence he now expresses that the road will be built at an early day, is most encouraging to those of us who have advocated, a Seaboard connection for many years'. *r> The city council has treated the new road liberally and has by the display of a progressive public spirit done much to make the success of the en? terprise, which has been promoted largely by our own citizens, a certainty. The council is to be commended for the* action taken last night and we are confident that 90 per cent, of the people of Sumter will say, well done. The only obstacle that could now arise to prevent the early construction of the road would be a short sighted policy on the part of land owners in the country the road will traverse in respect to the right-of-way and the re? fusal or failure of the town of Bish? opville to make liberal provision for rights of way and terminals. We have but little fear on this score, however, for we have" been assured by promi? nent citizens of Bishopville that they will not only welcome the Sumter and Northern railroad, but will make all reasonable concessions to assist and promote the enterprise. Likewise the property owners along th? projected line are. most favorably disposed to? ward the nrw railroad, and, we are informed, they will treat it with the utmost liberality in view of :'- the great benefit it will be to the entire section lt traverses. The success of this 'enterprise is peculiarly gratifying to this paper for we have written and argued in advo? cacy of the-road for .years, and have endeavored to demonstrate the great benefit it would be to the city and this section of the state. We cannot boast ingly make the claim that its success is the result, of. our efforts, but we are glad that we have contributed in some small measure to render it possible by preparing the public to accept it at its true v?iue. ? . * Senator Manning's bili to create a state board of assessors is along the right line. It is a common sense and business like suggestion that may prove to be the long-sought solution of th? tax problem. It is worth a trial. . * * Mr. Laban Morgan's bill to assess property at its active value is evident? ly a good bill. It cannot help being a good bill, if the tiU$ is not misleading. . * * If John Mitchell spoke by the book when he declared the Mine Workers* union to be ph t^e vej-gef.of disruption the - J adherents and disinterested friends of unionism have reason to regard the future with dismay. Ac? cording to common report that branch of organized labor over which John Mitchell presides has been the most wisely and conservatively managed of miners' unions, and has been of ines? timable benefit to its members, both in wringing measure of justice from the mine operators and in preventing use? less unsuccessful and disastrous strikes. If it is now to be disrupted as a result of the disloyalty of its mem? bers, one may well ask, what promise of permanent success does the future hold out to organized labor? * * ? The Charleston News and Courier is not enthusiastic over new railroads for that city that never get beyond the prospective stage. But, in a recent ed? itorial, inspired by the report that the Southern railway contemplates the completion of the old 3 C's'road from Marion, N. C., to Johnson City, Tenn., gives expression, in a somewhat plain? tive strain, to a hope that, some day, the great highway from Charleston to the great Middle West will be opened. We join in the hope sincerely, but venture to suggest that it would be more to the purpose, just at this time for the business men of Charleston to study the map of the state a little and try to see if there is not something to the advantage of Charleston in the construction of the Sumter and North? ern railroad from this city via Bish poville' to a point vn the Seaboard Air Line, preferably I?icBee. If Charleston realy desires a seaboard connection it can be secured by building an inde? pendent road from that city to Sum? ter to connect with the Sumter and Northern. The most direct route from Charleston to Sumter is through an undeveloped, but very fertile coun? try that contains great bodies of un touched pine forests. With such a railroad in operation Charleston would have a direct route-over the Sumter and Northern and the railroad now extending from McBee to Jefferson, in the upper part of Chestefield county into the heart of a territory frorr which she is now* practically shut out. Sumter needs a new railroad to Bish opville and a connection with the Sea? board Air Line, and, thanks to the enterprise of some of our citizens, the new outlet is now assured. Charleston should do likewises, but, if her busi? ness men are not in a hurry and are content to wait a few years until Sum? ter needs another outlet to Charles? ton and the timber in upper Berkeley county, the Sumter and Northern will be extended in an air line to tidewater which, fortunately for Charleston, will land it somewhere in vicinity of that harbor. But putting pleasantry aside, and speaking seriously, it seems to us that the easiest, quickest and most profitable way to unbottle Charleston is for the business men and capitalists of that city to pull out the cork them? selves by building: a railroad seventy or eighty miles to this city. We believe that a railroad will ultimately be built on the route indicated, for lumber? men of experience say that there is sufficient timber tn the country through which an air line to Charles? ton would pass to keep many saw milts busy for many years. The lum? ber business alone would therefore provide the road with a heavy freight business for several years and by the time the timber should be exhausted the country would have been de? veloped sufficiently to furnish a prof? itable volume of local business. But if there were no local business at all, an outlet of this character ought to be worth more to Charleston than it would cost The idea appeals to us . and we would like to see it realized, so if Charleston, like Sumter, has not the money to build it herself, we sug? gest that some of her citizens take a leaf out of Sumter's book and hustle around until they find some one with the money and enterprise to build it for them. Before they start out to hustle, however- and it would be a most edifying spectacle to see them' so engaged-they must believe heart and soul that the proposition is the best thing that was ever promoted, for it takes more faith1 to interest a capitalists in a railroad that unbottles another man's town and runs through other people's land than to believe that Sherman didn't burn Columbia. It seems to us, however,: that with a stake like this Charleston should and j could furnish not only the faith, but I the morey and the hustle, also. THE PUBXIC BUILDING. ^Congressman lever Expects favorable Action bj Congress Hits Session. . Congressman A. F. Lever writes Postmaster Shore that the outlook for :. the early passage of the bill carrying an appropriation for the erection of j the government building in this city is very encouraging, that he has the mat? ter well in hand and that he has rea? son to believe that the bill will be take:: up and favorably recommended by the house committee on public buildings at this session of congress. Mr. Lever has worked zealously to secure favorable action on the Sum ; ter public building bill and the con j fidence he now expresses that his ef j torts will be crowned with success in I the near future is the best sort of i news. The public building is assured, [ no One ever doubted that we would ' get it in time, but thanks to Mr. Lever's indefatigable efforts it will not be a case of hope long deferred. If the committee on public buildings shall make a favorable report at this session, it is probable that the bill will be taken up and passed before con? gress adjourns. The public building was sugg-ested by The Daily Item and was immediate? ly taken by Mr. Lever who has since exhibited the greatest possible interest in the matter, for, as he stated in a letter to the writer, immediately after the suggestion was first made, he felt that Sumter was entitled to a public building and he would spare no ef? forts to secure an appropriation. The next thing to be secured is an appropriation for a monument to Gen, Sumter. Mr. Lever is working for this, also, and he will secure an appropria? tion before he lets up. JUDGE WILLIAMSON'S REPORT. Net Balance of $40.47 to His Credit Since September 13. The last report of Magistrate L. R. Williamson, of Providence, which was filed today, makes a good showing for his administration of the office. From the report, which covers the four months beginning September 13 and ending January 13th. the following cash exhibit is taken. Cash turned in to county treasurer, $72.80, cash turn? ed into clerk of court, $6.00; total, $TS.S0. Sentences imposed 90 days at 30 cents a day. $45.00. Total cash and labor. $123.80. Total expense for magistrate and constable. $S3.33, leav? ing a net balance to the credit of Mag? istrate Williamson of $40.47. Engineer Jim Miller has returned to the service of the Atlantic Coast Line and now has charge of the shift? ing engine on the local freight yard. A GENEROUS GIFT. Resolutions Adopted by St. James Lu 11 eran Church. At a congregational meeting of St. James* Lutheran church held imme? diately after the morning service, the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, First, That we, the mem? bers of St. James Evangelical Luther? an church of Sumter, S. C., in meeting assembled, do hereby desire to express to our beloved and devoted sister, Mrs. Maggie E. Loughery, our heartfelt thanks and highest appreciation of the most valued Christmas memorial gift (in memory of her late husband, Mr. Jno. F. Loughery) of $300. With which we were to, and have cancelled the debt on our church property. It is with profound gratitude that we here endeavor to give expression to our in? most emotions-yet we fail, for no language of ours is adequate to por? tray the facts we desire to express. Second, That we are also truly grateful and not in the least unmind? ful of her continued support and co? operation, although she has transfer? red her membership. Third, That for all' this we not only voice our thankfulness and gratitude, but assure her that the very strongest ties of brotherly love prompts these expressions from us to her, personally, and in memory of our late brother. Fourth, That our secretary be in? structed to forward a copy of these resolutions to her, "The Ligonier Echo;" "The Lutheran Church Vis? itor," and our county papera Sumter, S. C. January 15r 1904. The circumstances connected with this generous gift to the church by Mrs. Loughery are of sufficient inter? est to bear repetition at this time. Mr, J. F. Loughery shortly before his death had informed the church of? ficials that it was his intention to pay the outstanding debt of the church,, but had not been able to? d?> so prior to his tragic death as the result of an accident at the Luken's Lamber Co.'s mill. He never regained con? sciousness after being injured and was not able to make provision? for the execution of his pledge- after his death, Mrs. Loughery, however, being cogni? zant of his promise to- the church,, felt it a sacred duty that she should carry out his wishes and of her own voli? tion made the donation that relieved the church of debt. In the Recorder7?* CourtL Recorder Hurst credited the city's cash account with $30:00* on Monday. The first case heard was the- city of Sumter vs. Dave Sanders,, charge* with the violation of the liquor ordinance. The discovery and arrest was effected by Officers S^vmo?r, MeKagei^and Weeks. The intendant was found! guil? ty and paid a fine of $25.00: In the case of the city of Sumter vs. Samuel Newman and J. B. White for fighting on Main street. Mr.. White en etred a plea of guilty and was1 fined $5.00. Mr. Newman plead: not guilty and after hearing the testimony he was acquitted by the recorder.. XJEPOBT OF TBS CONDITION. OF THE FIRST MTIOm MUK, OF SUMTER, S. C., At Sumter, in the State of South- Caroona, at the close of business* Jan. ll, 1905. RESOURCES*. Loans and discounts, $320,352 63 Overdrafts, secured and unse? cured, 27,204 54 U. 8. Bonds to secure circula? tion.- j 25,000 00 Premium on U. S. Bonds,. 406 25 Bonds,'securities, etc.,. 32,000 00 Banking house, furniture and fixtures, 3,000 00 Due from National Banks (not reserve agents), 4,588 73 Due from State Banks and Bankers, 11,433 13 Due from approved reserve agents, 3,498 14 Checks and other cash items, 1,569 55^ Notes of other National Banks, 1,000 00 Fractional paper currency, nickels and cents, 2,943 30 Lawful Money Beserv? in Bank, viz z Specie, 45,867 50 Legal-tender notes, 6,500 00 52,367 50 Redemption Fnad with U. S. Treasurer, per ct. of cir? culation,) 1,250 00 Total, $536,613. 77 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in, $100,000 00 Surplus fund, 20,000 00 Undivided profite, 'lees ex? penses and taxes paid, 16,853 46 National Bank notes outstand? ing, 25,000 00 Due to other National Banks, 1,440 38 Dee to approved reserve agents, 2,456 94 Dividends unpaid, 270 66 Individual deposits subject to check, 370,587 33 Total $536,613 77 State of South Carolina, ) gg County of Sumter. ) I, R. L. EDMUNDS, Cashier of the above named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. R. L. EDMUNDS, Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 16th day of Jan. 1905. GEO. L. SICKER, Notary Public. Correct-Attest : A. J. CHINA, ) G. A. LEMMON, ? Directors. H. D. BARNETT ) OSTEOPATHY Corrects the cause of disease and cures when nothing else will. Its cures are per? manent because Natural. All diseases treated Oiscasts of Women a Specialty. /R. R. V. KENNEDY. Office over Bultman Bros.' Shoe Store, Sumter. S. C. - Consultation Free Plantation Supplie What a pity we cannot eat cotton, for it eeems to be the cheapest staple product in the world to-day, but we cannot dispose of it in that manner, and while it continues to decline, we must live and buy other staples at a high price to make more. As usual at this season of year, our warehouses are stocked with Staple Grocerie from the leading packers and manufacturers of the country. We have actually in stock and in transit 500 barrels of Flour? 40,000 pounds of Bacon. 10,000 pounds of Tobacco, 100 barrels of Sugar. 50 bags of Coffee. 30 barrels of New Orleans Molasses. 25 barrels of Georgia Syrup. 300 sacks of Rice. 500 sacks of Grits. 300 sacks of Steal. 10,000 pounds of Lard. NOT YET FO We have yet to find the custon who has not pronounced Millbourne Flour The Finest Bread and Biscuit fla he has ever tried. ABE YOU PLEASED WITH I -1. . ? t .'V We Take Pleasure In Fitting Th Hard To Fit. Some people think unless they get a tadio: made suit they can't get a fit, but if they wi] only give us a call we can soon convince theo thev are wrong. Our Stein-Block and Isa? Hamburgers Clothing fit to profection and al? have that tailored effect that other housa haven't. Then we claim we can save you ifm $3.00 to $5.00 a suit by buying from us. Tl we can prove to you by giving us a call. I We have just received another shipments the famous Walk Over shoes in all styles m leathers. Our windows are full of holiday gil such as gloves, ties, handkercheifs and nfl flers. Remember you are always welcol whether you call to buy or not. co. No. 5, S. MAIN ST. THONE