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GOVKHNMIM RY COMMISSION. Result* Mrcndy Attained n Repre? sentative Cltle? In Oalveston the years of the mod? ern method showed that the annual expenses of the efltj government had been reduced nearly one third; the city had *H\rd a million dollars; both the tax rate and the city debt had been reduced; a new system of sewers had been Installed, a new and effi? cient health department had been created; the area of paved streets had been greatly extended; there had been no peculation, no fraud, no boss ?ystem. and In every way Oalveston h.id become a better cttf ? li\ I in. In Houston, the first year of the new plan showed that the saving ef? fected had enabled the city to pay $400,000 of Indebtedness, while the tax levy was reduced twenty cents In the $100. At the same time the public Improvements effected were the greatest in the history of the city, and the appropriations for such work exceeded the records. As one indi? cation of the new order, I may men? tion that in one year Houston laid six miles of new street paving and paid for it without Issuing a dollar's worth* of bonds. DES MOINES. In Des Molnes. the general disgust with the old method of government was so great that when the cuesMon of adopting the new was being ugltat ed. placards appeared In the streets bearing only the words: "Tt Can't He Any Worse Than This." and all mon knew and appreciated what was meant. After a year of the new plan, the Des Molnes Register and Leader a newspaper of conspicuous fairness, reviewing the advantages and disad? vantages of the innovation, conclud? ed that "Des Molnes, Is, in fact, the most economically and most honest? ly manavd city of its size In the Mid? dle West." The old city government had left affairs in such a tangle that an Issue of $ ISO.000 of bonds to pro? vide for the floating indebtedness was necessarily the first step of the new managers; the first year <>f their work showed that all of this extravagance had been excised, and economy had taken the place of helter-skelter ex? travagances. Previously there had been in the general fund an annual deficit of from $50,000 to $25,000; this had been converted into a sur? plus; none of the funds reported a deficit. The collecting of license taxes, which, with other duties, had been much neglected under the old city government, had been carefully lock? ed after by the new. Fery departmert showed Increased efficiency and an Increased total of bulness transacted jit a decreased cost. Public improve? ments had cost less and had been pushed farther. In brick-paving, for Instance, the expense had been re? duced by seven cents a yard, and In asphalt-paving by two cents; and more of each had been laid than ever before. Th. aefj of curbing had been cut one and a half cents a foot. Un? der the old government the city paid to the gas company $24,278.66 for 1.113 stre. t 1 imps, under the new > llt.475.33 for 1.119 Hmps; under the old government seventy-five dol? lars a year for each street electric lamp, under the new sixty-five dol? lars. The city lived within its Income, a condition that had blessed R but once before In a generation. Not one ap? propriation had been exceeded. The water rat^s had been reduced from thirty to twents | . tits a thousand gal? lons. Police and tire departments had taken on a new efficiency; the city began to show a new front of good looks. No boss, no machine, and no scandal marred the situation, and men that had sought so long In vain for good government began to belle\e that at last they had found It SIOUX FALLS. In Sioux Falls, the new system . seems to be viewed with practically I uanlmous satisfaction. Three results iro air. id\ apparent There will be a saving In city expenses caused chiefly by the consolidation of offices; there has he, n a notle, able lie Tease of efficiency In ?II the departments; public Improvements have been both F Stimulated and < ondu< fed upon a co? herent plan, the business of the city Is no longer a hit-and-mis* affair, looked after at odd times by men buHV with other occupations, but a rational enterprise ably manged for definite end.-' In the old da\s the .-It\ conn- II no t once a month to muddle and mess; the new commissioners or managers must meet once a week and may m> ? t at any time by the rail of the im .or or of two commissioners All meet? ing* must be open to the public?a r dear relief to the p. ..pie ?,f Sioux Falls, for In the old days there were "star chamber" or exeeuthe meet? ings about which the p. ople were al? lowed to know nothing. "The dlffer enee between the old system and the new Hvstem In Sioux Falls." said a resident. "Is the difference between ^ < ha >s and oi.b r. at -tween twenty men each pulling In a different direction and five all pulling In one." CEDAR RAUIDH. Cedar Rapids affords probably the ' Ml nnd clearest illustration of the practical workings of the new idea. The first act of the new city man pers was to engage expert account nuts and Issue to the people of Cedar k ipkls the first public statement of the city's actual financial condition. This showed that the thumb-hand system had been spending public money at the rate of $40,000 a month and would have added $150,000 a. year to the city's indebtedness. Nine^ months of the new management made a \ery different showing; the city lived within its Income, and on Jan? uary 1. 1909, It had a balance in ev? ery fund, while every bill had been paid and every eurrent obligation met. The tax-levy was thereupon reduced one mill, and a further re? duction was obviously feasible for !1>?0. To show the difference between the old methods and the new, I may say *hat the thumb-handers in Cedar Rapids (a? generally elsewhere) were in rhe habit of paying the city's bills whenever they thought of the matter and the iash was available. The bus? iness administration, being engaged 111 manag.ng the city exactly as it woula manage any great commercial ?-.iiterprise. audited and paid all bills ps soon as presented and got two jer cent, discount for cash. Some of the achievements of the ne\? rystem were amazing, and stag? gered even those most familiar with the slipshod ways of the old. For example under the old regime the city's re\enues from the police court and the police department amounted to about seventy-five dollars a month. WhCU business Democracy came In, it increased these revenues to $700 a month, and without increasing the i ssets. How? Merely by collecting *.ne Iwense and other fees Instead of allowing them to go by defualt as thumb-hand was wont to do. Can re be any doubt that the represen t.ithe is the costliest system <4f gov? ernment known to man? I- very month in Cedar Rapids the bin d managers tender to the people that hi-e them an exact account of the people's business, every item of receipt, e\ery item of expenditure, with a balance sheet, so that the peo? ple may Judge how well their hired men are doing their work. Also there Is issued a pamphlet giving a full, exact report of the council meetings ?no concealment and no hugger mugger. In the first year of Business Democracy the city retired $60,000 of bonds, enlarged and improved the park system, increased the police force, repaired or rebuilt a new fire apparatus, enlarged the fire service, built a new fire station and fitted out the policemen and firemen in new uniforms. It cleaned the streets (for the first time In the city's history), i'paired more old pavements and constructed more new ones,, and with i them built more sewers, water mains, sidewalks, curbs, and roadways than bad ever been constructed in any pre? vious rear la Cedar Rapids. It began B. U"W bridge across the Cedar River, and bought an island on which the i ity is to erect handsome municipal l Hidings out of the savings effected by the new system and without the. issue of a dollar's worth of bonds. Bvaa thi? Is not all. The new man? agement sem for and hired an expert authority on tv.e beautifying of cities, and under his direction has been do? ing much to redeem Cedar Rapids from the common reproach of neg? lect ami untidiness so long (and so Justly urged against American cities. Best of all is the appearance of a I>trit of Intimate Interest In munici? pal excellence, the very thing that all the doctors and learned professors of politics have agreed from the be? ginning Is the first reouisite of re? form in our affairs. This highly laud? able ebaasj* followed close upon the death of the old mediaeval and fan t ifltk superstition about the wise and the good. It seems that when the p?pit of Cedar Rapids learned that the responsibility for their govern? ment was In their ow n sole hands and they could no longer depend upon the wise ami the good, they woke up. Th?- city became their olty instead of the boasjf elty and the public service eorperalloa'i city. Havlai (for the first time la their experience) the power to secure Letter things, they begun to demand such things and to be interested in securing them. Coun? cilman Braid A. Sherman, one of the mamigers Ol the new Cedar Rapids. Mays that ' the commissiion plan law has dorn- more to awaken civic pride I in Cedar Rapftda sine? ia^t April! (lit*) than all timt happened duringI the more than titty years thai the] city was operated mehr it-; special' (thuml>-h;:no ? chart* r." These experiments iire Voting ,'IU'i May poaslbly be deemed n<-t coaclu sWe, but the following achievements of the new plan seem |q he fairly well established: i h ebollahei party polities from] b?< al affairs. ?. It eliminates the hoss, the graft er. ami the pol It let] machine, ::. it views a municipality .is a great business enterprise and pro? vides accordingly for its effective management. 4. it reoogalatfl deflaltely the fall lire of represetative government and Substitutes therefor a system of dem omcracy; it recognizes the fact that there is no wisdom hut collective wis? dom. 5. It establishes direct responsi? bility for every public act. 6. It seems to be swift, efficient, economical, and adapted to a rational community In the twentieth century. 7. It abolishes a raft of u/eless offices, sinecures, jobs, and political rewards, and substitutes organization, method, and work. The cities that have thus far tried out this method of common sense and democracy are not large, but no rea? son can be discovered why it should not work as well hi a large as in a small city, in New York as in Sioux Falls; indeed, it should work better. The form of government now in use in New York is ridiculous and clumBy. A great modern metropolis, with bus? iness of infinite importance to the in? habitants, managed by incompetent persons, chosen by irresponsible boss? es?is not this both absurd and hu? miliating? The modern city Is too big, and too complex to be the play? thing of party politics. To take but one instance, the finances of New York are one of the most intricate and difficult financial problems in the world. That they should be managed by men chosen by a political boss for political reasons is a Gargantuan jest. New York should be enabled to hire men for the managing of this great business, to choose them on the sole ground of fitness, to dismiss them if they prove incompetent, to know at all times what they do md how they do it. These great advantages the commis? sion plan provides. We have been so long deluded and disappointed in our municipal affairs that we may be pardoned if we look w ith some misgiving upon every ex? periment that promises relief. Yet about this are two facts, both fun? damental, that may tend to reassure the timid: It is exactly in accord with the progress of democracy, and exactly in accord with the plainest principles of good business, good morals, and good sense.?Charles Ed? ward Russell, in the April Every? body's. Reciprocity Reception. The "Reciprocity Reception" last Thursday at the Jackson hotel was a most enjoyable affair. The gathering was composed of represen? tatives from the several clubs in Sumter county. After the program was carried out refreshments con? sisting of punch and cake were serv? ed. First on the program was the ad? dress of welcome by Mrs. Beall, president of the Civic League, which was followed by a chorus by mem? bers of the CultUI Music Club. Those taking part in the music were Miss Beatrice Sumter, accompanist, Mrs. Henry Harby, Mrs. Henry McLaurin. Miss liable Bowman, Miss Bessie In? gram, Miss Edna Hughson and Miss Arrie Stucky. Mrs. S. C. Baker then read a re? port from the D. A. R. Piano solo by Miss Heatriee Sum tor. Regrets from Rural Improvement Association. Report from Mayesville Tuesday Afternoon Book Club. Paper sent by Miss L. B. Poppen helm, of the Reciprocity Society, "A Battle Against Disease," and read by Miss Owen. Report from President of Civic League. Chorus by members of Cultus Mus? ic Club. Miss Dove Entertains. One of the most delightful parties of the week was given by Miss Paul- j ine Dove Thursday afternon, at her home on West Hampton avenue. The halls and parlors were profuse With potted plants and cut flowers. Lovely yellow jassamlne and Bank sia roses gave beauty everywhere, thus emphasising the colors, (yellow and green? carried out in every de? tail. Bridge was played, and those who enjoyed Miss Dove's hospitality were: Mesdamei B. B, Booth, Arohle China, Qeo, I.. Ricker, .r. Q, DeLorme, Alex Broughton, L. <'. Dove, Renneker, Dwyer, Dorn, Moore, Guthrie, Schu? macher, Markey, Minis, Rutledge; Misses Allen, Williamson, Osteen, Kate Clarke, Qussle and Virginia Harby, Minna and Llsxle Richardson, l lessle I N ?\ e. Mrs. Broughton won first prise, s dainty Jewelry box. Mrs, Rlcker car? ried oil the consolation, a pretty belt buckle. Mrs. Dove captured the booby, a dusting brush, Pr?ll punch was ser ved during the afternoon, and after the game do HeloUs lees and cake were served. The Plttsbtirg Gasette-Tlmes ob. serves that Kentucky still keeps up her reputation for gun play. By the way, it might be Increased if Louis? ville bad a General Council slmlliar b> that of Plttsburg. The boys 'Imply could ted be restrained.?-LouiJVllle < 'ourler-Journal. WHAT IT REALLY COST. The Railroads Side of the Cost of Carrying the Mails. ATLANTIC COAST LINE R. R. COMPANY. Office of General Manager. Wilmington. N. C, March 30, 1910. Editor Sumter Item: Dear Sir:?I enclose, herewith, for your information, a letter written by Mr. Chas. A. Wiekersham. President and General Manager of the Atlanta & West Point Railroad and the West? ern of Alabama, relative to the trans? portation of mails by the railroads. So much has been said through the press regarding this matter, that we thought the public generally might be interested in the railroads' side of the question. A committee, consisting of promi? nent officials of several large railway systems, has been formed under the general direction of the American Railway Association, to gather and present statistics showing the correct status as to the inadequacy of the compensation allowed railroads for the transportation of the mails. These gentlemen are thoroughly conversant with the facts, and they have published some figures, relative to the handling of mails by the rail? roads, a copy of which I am enclos? ing you herewith, believing that the newspapers of the country desire in? formation concerning this important matters. Yours very truly, W. N. ROYALL, General Manager. Atlanta, Ga., March 21, 1910. Editor Sumter Item: Dear Sir:?President Taft has said that it costs the government 9 cents per pound for the "transportation" of mail, and many have jumped to the conclusion that this meant the roads were paid nine cents per pound for hauling the mails. The fact is, however, the "trans? portation" referred to by the Presi? dent, included several items other than what is paid to the roads, and all we get is 3.19 cents per net pound of mail matter. We not only haul mail matter, but we haal nearly as much additional weight in pouches and government supplies, so that what we really get is only 1.83 cents per pound of weight carried by. us; furthermore, this figure includes all we get for furnishing and hauling in passenger trains, post offices on wheeels, manned by corps of clerks. You will perhaps be surprised to learn that the railways actually haul the mails at a loss?not a theoretical loss, but at an actual expense of one dollar and seventy-two cents for ev? ery one dollar we get. This don't in? clude any share of the interest on money we have borrowed to equip the road. There is a widespread, but false, impression that the roads get a fabu? lous sum for furnishing the traveling post offices. They furnish some 1,200 cars for which they get pay at rate of 6.5 cents per mile traveled, and they [ furnish 3,500 other cars for which they get nothing. Indeed, if the I roads furnished all cars free, and hauled them free, and collected fares from the clerks, they would get three j times as much money as they now do! We get more money per car for hauling express than for hauling mail, the simple explanation being that we put seven times as much ex? press in a car as we do mail. Of course, however, the express pays less per ton per mile than does mail. For several months the roads have been engaged in working up very thorough statisctics to compare the earnings derived from mail and ex? press, and this was done at the re? quest of the Postoffice Department. We hope to get these completed very soon now, and they will stand the most minute scrutiny?our only in? terest Is to bring out the real facts. Being a member of the Committee on Railway Mail Pay from this sec? tion, we feel some responsibility In apprising the papers in this section of the true situation?this is the pelf which we are sure you will find spirit In which we enclose some pa very Interesting. Sincerely, Cl IAS. A. WICKERSIIAM, President & General Manager. \ Christian Spirit. "How many of you boys," asked tho Sunday school superintendent, "can bring t \\o other boys next Sun day V" There was te> response until a new recruit raised his hand hesitatingly. "Well, William?" ? I can'l bring two, but there's one little feller I c;m llek, and I'll do my dum nodes! to bring him."?? Kvery body's Magazine. it ma\ be possible thai the edible African animals enn be imported for food, but it will certainly sound queer to hear the hungry guests remark: "Nother slice of the river horse, please."?Cleveland Plain Dealer. The end must Justify the means - Matthew Prior. COAL MINERS STRIKE. Approximately 300,000 Organized Men Quit Work. Three hundred thousand organized miners of the bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illi? nois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Okla? homa and Arkansas quit last night. The miners, members of the United Mine Workers of America, declared the walkout was not a strike, but merely a suspension of work pending an arrrangement between themselves and the operators of a wage scale for another year, the old scale having ex? pired with the month of March. The men demand an increase of pay in some instances of 5 cents a ton and in other instances certain changes in working conditions. Confidence was expressed by the operators that there would be nc general shortage, large supplies of fuel having been secured in advance. While the miners predicted the sus? pension would be cut short by a prompt signing of wage scales, some of the operators maintained that the mines might be kept closed for a month or 60 days or longer. The conditions in the various States were as follows: Illinois?Nine hundred mines clos? ed and 75,000 miners quit work at 6 p. m.; joint conference on wages call? ed for next Monday in Chicago; two months' supply of coal on hand. No immediate coal famine to Chicago industries. Indiana?Eighteen thousand min? ers ordered to quit work at midnight; conference arranged lor next Monday at Terre Haute; miners say shut down will be short-lived. Pennsylvania?Approximately 40. 000 men ordered to quit work at mid? night; temporary scale, allowing a 5-cent run of mine a ton increase hoped to be reached by Saturday; settlement of the powder question to be held in abeyance. Iowa?Every mine in Iowa ordered closed pending settlement of the wage scale. Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, comprising the Southwest? ern interstate fields?Thirty-five thou? sand miners quit; early settlement hoped for. Ohio?All miners ordered to quit; State leader declared against strike; at Larraine one steel plant shut down and threw out 4,000 workmen, on account of shortage of coal. The first victory for the men came in an announcement from Brazil, the centre of the Indiana block coal dis? trict, where it was announced the men's demand for 5-cent advance would be granted. HOW TO CURE RHEUMATISM. It Is an Internal Disease and Re quires an Internal Remedy. The cause of Rheumatism and kin? dred diseases is an excess of uric acid in the blood. To cure this terrible dis? ease this acid must be expelled and the system so regulated that no more acid will be formed In excessive quan? tities. Rheumatism is an internal disease and requires an internal rem? edy. Rubbing with Oils and Lini? ments will not cure, affords only tem? porary relief at best, causes you to delay the proper treatment, and al? lows the malady to get a firmer hold on you. Liniments may ease the pain, but they will no more cure Rheuma? tism than paint will change the fibre of rotten wood. Science has at last discovered a perfect and complete cure, which Is called "Rheumaeide." Tested In hun? dreds of cases, it has effected the most marvelous cures; we believe It will cure you. Rheumacide "gets at the joints from the inside," sweeps the poisons out of the system, tones up the stomach regulates the liver and kidneys and makes you well all over. Rheumacide "strikes the roots of the disease and removes its cause." This splendid remedy is sold by drug? gists and dealers generally at 50c and $1 a bottle. In tablet form at 25c and 50c a package. Trial bottle of Tablets sent by mail on receipt of price 25c. Booklet free. Write to Bobbitt Chemical Co., Baltimore, Md. Sold in Sumter by Sibert's Drugstore. 11-19-W. & S. wed. Send us your job work. A stock of furniture that's a REAL LKADKR in com? pleteness and comprehen? siveness truly leads in fu st class values?T II A T 'S ( H KS. Ii you want a "square deal" in furniture buying if you wish to buy at a place when* you know that but one price prevails and that that price is the lowest pos? sible, you should patronize. Witlierspoon Bros. Furniture Co. BANISH CATARRH. Breathe Hyoaaal for Two Minutes und Stuffed Up Head Will Vanish. If you want to get relief from ca? tarrh, cold in the head or from an Irritating cough in the shortest time breathe Hyomei (pronounce it High o-mei). It will clean out your head in two minutes and allow you to breathe freely. Hyomei will cure a cold in one day. It will relieve you of disgusting snuf ues, hawkeng, spitting and offensive breath in a week. Hyomei is made chiefly from eu calyptol, a soothing, healing, germ killing antiseptic, that comes from the eucalyptus forests of inland Aus? tralia where catarrh asthma and consumption were never known to exist. Hyomei is pleasant and easy *0 breathe. Just pour a few drops ento the hard rubber inhaler, use as di? rected and cure is almost certain. A complete Hyomei outfit, includ? ing inhaler and one bottle of Hyomei, costs only $1.00 at druggists every? where and J. F. W. DeLorme's If you already own an inhaler you can get an extra bottle of Hyomei at druggists for only 50c. 2-21-3-2?W 4?6. Positively Going to Leave. The Cute Studio will stop making pictures here on April the 20th. Come now while you have the chance for after 5:30 the 20th of April will be too late. Thanking you for your patronage and bidding you a kind adieu, we beg to remain photograph? ically yours. Harrell's Cute Studio. 3-29-3t- wed. W. & S. The sum of $100,000 will be spent in road building in Marion County this year. CAROLINA COTTON SCHOOL, 17 WEST TRADE ST. Charlotte, fP - N. C. Wanted men to increase their earnings by learning the cotton business in our sample rooms, under an expert cotton grader. We teach grading, averaging, shipping, buying and selling cotton, American and Liverpool classification. Great demand through the Cotton belt for men who under? stand the cotton business. We guarantee to learn any one with ordinary eyesight In 50 days. Now is the time to enter and make good contracts the coming season. Write lor terms and endorsements of former students. I Kl MLTUCfe dU OH ^jIiii Mir * " ?;J 2? 3rE3S 8- ?KiALBOTrUfR? ??? A:v> j \*wm m ?JHG TROUBLES %GC?A t?*<NT??D SAT/SFACrOB'f ft Or? MONEY /??JUAfOuTQ, Are You Looking for a Position? t We can offer you good Paying Employment that you will enjoy and at home. Write to-day Iddrsss The Butterick Publishing Co. Butterick Bullding. New York, N. Y. H. L. B. WELLS, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Money to Loan on any Good Security. Notary Public With Seal. Office 109 N. Main St. PATENTS PROCURED AND DEFENDED. Send model, drawing < >r photo, for expert seareli ana nee r?-i>ort. ?Yee saViee, l'ow to obtain patents, trade masks, c. ny rights, eu\, (N ALL COUNTRIES. Business direct :titk Washington sazes time, money and often the patent. Patent and Infringement Practice Exclusively. Write or BOOM to us at 023 Ninth Stroet, opp. United SUtc? Patent Office, WASHINGTON, D. C. OASNOW 60 years* cxperience Trade Marks Designs Copyrights Ac. AnToro nei lint a sltrtrn nmt description nmr qntcklf eeoerl lin ?mr opinl n free wneihrr an invention is |?r??h?W? pntenlnhMt Communion ttonBStrlctly confidential. HANDBOOK *>? Catente ???Mit freu. OMoel aeency f?r ?ecurtnc patents. Patente taken thr.Mik.ti Munn A Co. receive r pf riot notice, wit boat charge, in the Scientific American. A Tiandsomolv illnstrnovt weekly. I.nrcest ctr culaiion i t nn? scientific Journal. Terms, f3 ? rear: four numthe, 9L Soldbrail newedeeJete. M?NN & Co.3B,B'?-<""? New York Uraneh Ott \ *b V St., Washington. 1). C.