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SSgjBBt * iafcHM t IflBB i SmbSw -jBM -. j^HuN ?hr lambrrg Sjrralb I fgH > =r WBa $2.00 Per Year in Advance. BAMBERG, S. C., THURSDAY, AUGUST 3,1922. Established in 1891. Tolbert is Unfit, J ? Says Sen. Dial\ Washington, July 30.?Charging j that Joseph W. Tolbert as Republican j t "referee" for South Carolina has been a "spoilsman of the worst class" A and believing that he is "unsuited by nature, by training and by habits and is wanting in every proper manner the qualities to fulfill the duties of x the high and responsible position ta which the president has appointed ^ A VT ^ f A^oxr All t. mm, ibBUdiur i\? d. jLJiax iuuu/ vuw . lined the reasons behind his announcf ed opposition to" the selection of Tols bert to be marshal of the Western district of South Carolina. "Tolbert," Senator Dial said, "is i the South Carolina member of the ' Republican national committee, state * chairman of that organization, and was recently appointed 'referee' for ^ South Carolina for the present administration, that is, he is the chief distributor of patronage. "I am not concerned about these positions, and would not interfere if I - I could, and could not if I would. They are simply party matters, rne appointment to the position of marshal has to be confirmed by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and this is an-entirely different prop> ' osition. When the president is of one political party and the senators of an* other party, there is no advice given ' in these appointments, when the office is not a bipartisan one, but when the name comes to t&e senate, we have to vote either to confirm or reject, hence we are responsible to this I extent for all appointments confirmed by-the senate. "The public has a right to expect us to use all dilligence ana exercise our best judgment?stronger than this, they have a right to demand '"l that we scrutinize most carefully all such appointees. .1 have received * letters from friends on the subject, but I know most of this is propaganda and that many of them have been i - imposed upon. Not Party Question. "I do not fall out with people be* cause they are Republicans, notwithstanding I think they show poor ^ judgment in the south to belong to this party; I freely accord every man 1 t right to join whatever party he sees 1 v proper and to select his own companions, and if there are suitable indij A viduals in their own ranks, it is their j * privilege to select them for political offices. Neither do I quarrel with ?- the powers that be for appointing y them. "The appointee in this instance, ( Joseph W. Tolbert, is unsuited by nature, in training, and by habits, and is wanting in every proper manner the qualities to fulfill the duties of k the high and responsible office to B which the president has named him. "I will not mention some unpleasj ant matters that will throw no particular light on the subject, but will only call to the minds of the people , a few facts which confirm my opinion I f in the matter. "Mr. Tolbert poses as a large farm* er, whereas the record in Greenwood county shows that he does not pay a cent of taxes, except a dollar poll tax, and the records in the municipal, state and federal courts?both on the * civil and criminal side?show that his record is an unenviable one. I do not mean to say that it is neces> sary for a man to own property to hold office; far be it from me to take ? any such position, but Tolbert is sailing under false colors. I "Mr. Tolbert's conduct since he has !been appointed 'referee' has shown pi- him to be a spoilsman of the worst class. For insj|ince, under the practice of this administration in selecting postmasters, the civil service ^ commission sends to the post office department the three names making the highest marks, and this department delegates to Tolbert?the 'referee'?the right to select whichever * he chooses. These offices are not political ones, and in our state, the pa* trons are not one per cent, of Republicans, and the offices should be kept out of politics. However, under ~ party rules, where they have a competent person, it is their privilege to * appoint them, and we have made no objection. "In these matters Tolbert has ruthf lessly ignored the spirit of the civil service and has refused to recom* mend parties making the highest marks, except in a very few cases. He has almost universally ignored the claims of the ladies and ex-service men. Under the spirit of the civil service rules, ex-soldiers should j| receive the preference, but this has had no weight with Tolbert, even where they make the highest marks. Ke has endeavored to turn lady postmasters out where they have been in office many, many years, and where they have made the highest marks. Moreover, he has turned out many fruitful officials?some who have served in this department for practically 40 years, and he named persons who were totally without experience?and these not Republicans either. "In other words, he has run roughshod over our people and seems to be drunk with the power of a little authority. "Worst of all, under previous administrations, I am informed that the 'referee' in our state sold patronage and that the universal charge was one-half of the first year's salary, and it is now claimed, and generally believed, that this practice is in vogue; the proof presented to me is unquestionable on the subject and is convincing beyond the peradventure of a doubt. The practice is to divide the state in districts and have someone in each district look after, this part of the nefarious business. I am told of many instances w. - > the ofonld_Anfl hri"i . ? .1r $7n0 UV^Cid IT VIO OViU VIAV w* Q -^O Y * ~ ; another $1,200, another $600, another $^000, and different sums all around the state where there was competition. A recent case was reported, where $1,200 was paid and the partyfailed to get the office, and after considerable wrangling, the funds were returned. It is alleged that appointees to small offices often have to contribute. Rejected by Senate. "One of Tolbert's 'referees' was recently rejected by the senate because he endeavored to get a lady postmaster to pay him $300 to get her con-firmed. An affidavit of one of his former followers states Tolbert admitted he expected to realize $100,000 from this source. "I can not condone the practice of buying an office, and if the competitors would cease bidding against each other, this most disgraceful practice could be obliterated. However, they are to bd pitied for being forced to come in contact with such a corrupt system. It can readily be seen that someone will have to fill the office ?ny way. "Furthermore, I am told by the best authorities that Tolbert is by no means in sympathy with the enforcement of the prohibition law, and oTT-a-n Ihjc hratrtrp/1 tn tblQ pffppf It. IS v- ?-*? Ovu vw shown by affidavit that he had'a barrel of liquor at one time. Many of his associates are among the most lawless class of our people, and it is commonly reported that he has form-, ed a political combination with certain parties in our state callihg themselves Democrats, to create a political machine, with the view and for the purpose of undermining, disrupting and destroying the Democratic party. "It is generally believed that politics is rotten, and am sorry to admit there are some grounds for such 1'- i?i? ? A~ opinions, particularly as uu ucijuuucan administrations, and it is incumbent upon me and all other citizens who care for the maintenance and perpetuation of^ good government to expose and obliterate all fraud and corrupt practices in our power. No man shall have a government commission, with the approval?confirmation of the senate?to plunder our people if it is in my power to prevent it. Loving my state as I do, and feeling the pride of its reputation that I have always felt, I will not stand for the nomination one minute." Tolbert Denies The Charges of Sen. Dial Greenwood, July 31.?Emphatic denial that he was selling Republican patronage and denial of other charges brought by Senator Dial was made here tonight by Joseph W. Tolbert, Republican national committeeman for this state. Mr. Tolbert declared he was ready to defend himself in the courts against those who had accused him. Chairman Tolbert made a sweeping and comprehensive denial Mm oharcoc tnkinjr thprti nn niiP KJ L bUC VliW? ^VV? vv? ?0 v.. v. ... v%1/ x,1AV by one and in some cases submitting documents to substantiate his statements. He said in part: "If Senator Dial has been as incorrectly informed in all the things he holds against me, as he has in the charges he makes, he is certainly more reckless in public statements than a lawyer and a United States senator should be. "Take up his charges one by one: He charges that I have ignored the r Bitter Argument Ends in Killing Aiken, July 30.?Following a bitter argument over politics Balfour Gregory, the mill hired constable of Warrenville, Horse Creek Valley, shot and almost instantly killed Gary Hatcher, a contractor for well boring, this morning about 10:30 o'clock In front of the mill's Polatty store at Warrenville. One shot was fired. it entering the back of Mr. Hatcher and piercing his heart. There has been much bitterness over the placing of the registration roll in the Warrenville manufacturing office instead of in some more convenient place, those opposed stating that the bookkeeper in the office did not keep hours that were suitable to many workers in the village, and it is! charged by those opposed also that coercion was used in compelling women mill hands to sign the roll who did not desire to do so. This morning in arguing over the matter Gregory is alleged to have called Hatcher j a vile name, that Hatcher resented it with a blow and turned to walk off when Gregory shot him to death. Hundreds of excited people gath ?in ?; n j.* 6r?Q irom trie win vmcigcs iu lug valley about the Head body of Hatcher and were loud in their condemnation of the slaying. Gregory gave himself up to Deputy Sheriff Nollie Robinson shortly after the killing and is now in the Aiken jail. He asked the sheriff to leave arms with his family for protection but was told by the officers that there was no need of doing so. It is claimed by E. L. Craig that Gregory drew his pistol at hi mthreateningly after the killing of Hatcher. civil service rules. The records show the contrary. I have recommended about 300 postmasters in South Caroline. They have all been from civil ??: - .?/.?rv.r?(AYi/1af;ATie T>ioro aro Service ICCUliiUlUUU4l.l\/U>}. JLUV-i U>v today 46 women postmasters in this state, or 11 more appointed by President Harding than by President Wilson. I deny that I have endeavored to turn out women postmasters. When the civil service office submits a list of three eligibles I am allowed to select one of the three. This is the rule all over the United States. In many cases I have asked Republican county chairmen for recommendations. In only one case can it be said that a woman was not retained in a post office in South Carolina. It was not my wish that she not be kept in office, but the county chairman and other white Republicans urged that the recommendation go to a white man. who was also on the eligible list. It was done, fhough personally it was a matter of regret that the woman could not be retained. Neither in this case nor in any other was there any money consideration, or hint of one. Made By Two Republicans. "The first charge of money was made by two Republicans of Orangeburg, who undertook to move heaven and earth to keep B. F. Mixson from being made postmaster. One of them wan tod the Dostmastership for him self. The affidavit was sent to Senator Dial that Mixson had offered to secure confirmation for the woman postmaster at Bowman if she would pay him $300. I got an affidavit from her that she did not know Mixson and had never been solicited by him to pay any money for any purpose. Fur-1 ther than that, I have a letter from ! her, received only a few days a?o, J expressing her sincere appreciation for getting the office. She is a Demo-1 crat and she made no promise to vote the Republican ticket. Why does not Senator Dial give some credit j for this? These two Republicans, who are sore against me, Tolbert, because I refuse to recognize them, then made a turn. They sent Senator Dial an affidavit that a man named D. P. Berry made the offer to this lady. I got an affidavit from Berrv, denying that he had ever acted as agent for Mixson and sent this to Senator Dial. Still he helped these Republicans and they thought they were making trouble for me. The J whole truth was that one of them J wanted the place himself, as he had j been almost raised in the postoffioe. I took pleasure in recommending for the place a young Democrat, Dan Dukes, who now has the place. "I deny that I have refused to ae - ' c Knowledge tne Ideieieiicc iui suiuicio who were on the civil service list and 1 have the record to show it. "When Sen. Dial says that he is j informed that under previous admin-! istrations the referee in this state | sold patronage, I suppose he means | MISTAKES BOLT FOR Gl'X. Murdock McCraney Tells Interesting Occurrence During Storm. A rather interesting occurrence in connection with the violent thunder storm that swept Columbia Wednesday afternoon was related yesterday by Murdoak McCraney, whose home, at 2315 Gadsden street was damaged by lightning. : J 4- "U ~ 4- U* rt trta ( .vir. .vicoraiiey saiu mat uc na.& adjusting the brakes on Luke Walter's automobile just before the t storm. When it became evident that a deluge would be upon them in a short time. Mr. McCraney and his friend stopped their work and entered the house. To pass away the time, Mr. McCraney suggested that they examine his collection of firearms, of which he has qiuite a number While inspecting an old flint lock, Mr. Walter^, after having been assured that it was not loaded, pulled the trigger. Immediately there followed a brilliant flash of light that was naturally very surprising to Mr. McCraney, who was positive that the gun did not contain any powder. About this time M?. McCraney was called by his wife into the adjoining room, where they found the fireplace filled with soot and crumpled brick. It was found that a bolt of lightning had struck the chimney and had followed that route into the house. The lightning must have struck the house simultaneously with Mr. Walter's pulling the trigger of the gun: hence the "spooky" circumstances surrounding the whole affair. ?The State. To Be Postmaster at Orangeburg. Washington, July 28.?Dan K. I | Dukes was today nominated to be | postmaster at Orangeburg, S. C. The I previous nomination of Benjamin J. Mixson was rejected by the senate on data furnished by Senator Dial. Republican administrations and if he does, the Republican administrations were represented in South Carolina by 6ther Republicans than myself, t The last referees In this state were t the late John G. Capers and A. D. Webster. These Republicans will I have to answer Senator Dial's charges. I had no say whatsoever in the matter of patronage when these two men were in charge of this state. I have had the power to make recommendations only since tJhe 15th day of last March and I deny any charges that I have accepted any money or any promise of money from any'appli- i cant for office. If any county chair-1 man has been guilty of taking e4en one dollar for his recommendation to without my asking for it. I reel tnai T owed it to him as well as myself that I defend mvself against such charges as have been made aeainst me. The attacks being made on me are being inspired by Republicans who have lost out in this state. "Their faction is the one which put out a mixed electoral ticket in the last election. The Tolbert ticket was composed of white men exclusively. T^ie Democratic papers of South Carolina persistently overlook this fact. All I want is to be fair. I can take care of myself in court or otherwise." me, it has been without my knowl- i edge or consent and I would not countenance any such thing if I I knew it. | No Snch Thing Happened. j "I deny any instance of where any man paid $1,200 to get an office and then had to use threats to get his money back when he failed to get the office. No such thing ever happened in the state j.n any office I had anything to do with. "I am not a party to any office buying and it is very unfair to me for Senator Dial to rush into the papers with such charges with no facts to base his charges on. "As to George D. Shore, of Sumter, there is no such organization as the Sumter Republican club. He is the club and he is sore because I would not recommeird him to be postmaster at Sumter. I recommended a Democrat first and Shore tried to go over my head and get it anyhow, beho influential relatives in Washington. "He tried to have his son, George D. Shore, named as district attorney for the eastern district and I named Maj. J. D. E. Meyer, a veteran of the World war. That is why Mr. Shore is trying to discredit me. He is the Republican club of Sumter. 1 have letters today telling me what Mr. Shore is up to all by himself. "I do not need the office of United States marshal for the western district of South Carolina. President Harding gave me the appointment Countyi Campa to the Vote By far the largest crowd of the season attended the campaign meeting at Ehrhardt last Friday, when the candidates made their appeal for the suffrage of the people of that | community. There were about 175 voters in Copeland's hall, and all of them were men. with the exception of one small girl and two or three little boys. The candidates were given a fine hearing. The voters seemed to be in dead earnest about the thing, not a single question was asked; the people leaving it entirely to the candidates to say their say and be done with it. . It was not near so hot in the hall as the folks thought it would be. A nice breeze was blowing, and as the hall has windows in every direction, it was rather pleasant at the meeting, which was presided over by H. W. Chitty. Last week The Herald said that Camp Branch and Little Swamp folks were optimistic, and the same thing might be said of most Ehrhardt folks. Of course, there are some who predict things are going?already gone, in fact?to the demnition bow wows, but it seemed to this writer that a majority of the people think the worst has come and gone. Oh, yes, there are some boll weevils around Ehrhardt; there's some cotton that won't make over two bales to the acre, but most folks seem to think that the crop is so much better than last year that they have great cause, so far, for rejoicing. Ehrhardt Favored Section. As a matter of fact, Ehrhardt, like LitUe Swamp, has received much favor this year. Cotton looks fine; it has a fine weed and it has lots of full grown bolls on it. Some farmers 1,1 * ?. -a ?_ * fu A 4 taiKea wun are oi una uyimuu mai there is such a fine <?rop of blossoms and young squares on hand that all of the grown bolls will escape puncturing?that is, generally speaking. It is said that the weevils won't bother large bolls as long as there are blossoms and little bolls to eat on, or bore in, rather. Corn is good, too; in fact it is fine. There are some fine fields of tobacco down that way; peas, beans, sugar cane, all look good. There was a stalk of cotton grown by S. W. Copeland on exhibition at the bank which contained 20 full grown bolls. Of this number two or three had , been puctured; where punctured a boll is partially damaged. The road to Ehrhardt is, we believe, the best road in Bamberg county; that is, the best road that has beeh traveled over for some time. It has held up well under travel, and whenever it is scraped it is simply fine. Dave Kinard and his scraper were at work Friday morning, putting the road into good condition. This writer considers this road far superior to the Columbia-Savannah highway through the county. We do not know the cost of the road to Ehrhardt, but we don't have any idea it cost more than half of the Columbia-Savannah highway, which pulled pamberg county for nearly $?. ono a mile with government aid. After some introductory remarks by the chairman, Rev. Mr. Ballentine, of the Lutheran church, offered a most appropriate prayer asking that God's guidance be upon :.ho meeting and the speakers. A letter was read from "Uncle Joe" Zeizler stating that he was unable to be present at the meeting. Supervisors Comit First. G. Victor Kearse then was introduced as a candidate for supervisor. Mr. Kearse missed the Camp Branch meeting the week before. If elected, said Mr. Kearse, he Dromised an administration . of economy and good roads. His opponents are both good men and he has not a word to say against either of them, but he has alwjiv? had an ambition to serve his county in this office. The county has a system of good roads, but he reminded his hearers that Mr. Smoak had enjoyed a large sum of federal aid during his term, which other supervisors had not had. He promised. if elected, to see that full value is received from every dollar spent He said that it had been talked that if he were elected, his health would not permit him to attend to the duties of the office, but he said that, thanks to the Maker, his heatlh had been greatly improved, and that it is now better than in many years and he felt fully able to attend to igners Appeal I irs of Ehrhardt I the office. He will appreciate the fag office if elected. A. B. Hightower did not make a SB speech, but said that if he is elected he will serve the county to the best 90 of his ability. He thanked the vot- Spj ers in advance for their-support. WM Supervisor Smoak was then called BB to the floor. Mr. Smoak said he had gfl served the people the very best he |B could during the past two years, and he feels that the people are satis- 8fl fled with his record. He reminded Wk Mr. Kearse that his predecessor had |H enjoyed federal aid as well as he had. @8 He had fought hard to get every fSj dollar of government money possible SB for the county; in fact he had spent S| $30 of his own money on visits to w Columbia in behalf of the Charleston- $9 Augusta road. He looks after the H county's interests and tries to get . full value for all money spent. He S| reiterated that so long as he is sup- Jra ervisor the chain gang will be out SB of politics. He did not intend to n confer any special privileges. He m used the gang where he thought it H was most needed, and will continue IS this policy. It is impossible to work ?5 all the roads at once, but in a few / H years with conservative management ra the county will have a road system of s 18 which to be proud. .^^Hj Commissioners Orate. |S W. H. Collins, for upper district 19 county commissioner, said that he H served the county two years ago, M when he was defeated by Mr. Tant. n He depends entirely on God, and if 9f elected everything he does will be B done with a singleness of purpose H to serve his Master. Was overseer ' B of 32 hands in the old days when 9 people worked the roads instead of 9 paying road tax. The money be- 3 longs to the people and ought to be ? used where it comes from. Some &| roads have never been worked, and ? he will see that such roads are work- m ed if he is elected. He wound up by saying that he loves everybody, 11 saved and sinners. ? J. S. Tant thanked the voters for B the handsome support given him at B Ehrhardt two years ago. When jl money is paid out he sees where it R goes. He knows the roads of the R county thoroughly as he travels them R in a. truck all the time, and he R knows where work is needed most. R He has tried his best to look after fl the people's money, and will continue H to do so if reelected. Has no special I privileges to hand out to anybody. Kj He has personally repaired many ', 1 bridges, paying all expenses there- S for out of his own pocket. He will B appreciate another two years in of- S The Lower District Xow. 1 J. B. McCormick for the lower dis- > S trict, said he had no recora, oui ue , ? will do his duty if elected. "I am no | speaker, but if you are looking for 8 the man to do the work, vote for me." 8 Ticket has two short names and one 1 long name; scratch the short ones. 1 G. W. Hunter is developing more 1 and more into an orator, as meetings I continue. He reminded the folks that I his father was elected sheriff four I times ahd his brother representative ? g twice. He has always lived on the I farm, and plows his own mule. He a knows nothing but farming and road | building. Was born "almost in Fish | Fond. ana nas nveu in mo wum; 50 years. Mr. Hunter thinks more attention should be paid to neighborhood roads, some of which are so grown up with bushes thatiit is diffii cult to haul fodder and cotton to market. Said road money was paid /:in his section, but his road did not get any attention, also told about some bridge work near his home that it took much time and trouble to fix. Says he will be elected, but would like to have as many votes as possible just to get a big majority. Auditor Rawell made a short talk, in which he reviewed the financial condition of the county, making the statement that on July 1 $46,500 in taxes remained unpaid in this county. The county had on hand July 1 about $52,000 for all purposes, some of which was money * borrowed on a short term note for road work. Now Comes the Magistrates. L. G. Yarlev, candidate for reelection as magistrate, stands on the same platform he did two years ago. Has filled the office according to what he believed was the right manner. Has made mistakes, but none that was intentional. He has administrated the law fairly. He is not respon (Continued on page 2, column 2.)