Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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MASTER VS. CLERK El AL. R. KELSO CHARLES WAKES UP THE WRONG MEN. His Charge That The Grand Jury Was "Packed” is Denied Most Em. phatically. Mr.W. H. Lawrence says Mr. K. Kelso Charles is “either a fool or a knave” and a “pernic ious pimp on Populism.” Mr. Charles gets “on his ear” about the presentments of the Grand Jury regard ing his official bond, which was presented at the March Term as not being on file; that it could not be found by the Grand Jury, and that “we do not belive it ever was there,” though Mr. Charles had then held his office as Master in Chancery for more than a year; and at the Jui e Term as being not sufficient in security. Now after all this time, Mr. Charles gets very mad and writes a let ter to the Hartsville Messenger, making all manner of charges and insinuations against the Clerk, Auditor and Treasurer, thus provoking a reply from each of these officers which make very racy reading. Below will be found Mr. Charles’s letter and the replies thereto: MR. CHARLES’S LETTER. The Grand Jury at the last Term suggested to the Court that the official bond of the Master in Chancery was insuf ficient. That statement, at my own request, was referred to the proper tribunal for investi gation and in due time will be reported on, but in the mean time it is due to myself to make a brief statement to my friends as to the status of the case. First, I will state that my bond is in the sum of $G,000. While large settlements are made through my office it is almost a mere exchange of re ceipts, and very seldom that actual money is used, and if so, it is immediately paid out to the parties entitled. The largest amount of money left in my custody for any length of time since I have been in office is $231 and this was left by the agreement of the at torneys for a special reason, and my bank book shows that it is on deposit in the People’s Bank. My books are public records, al ways accessible by any one. It is true my bond was disap proved by the Board of County Commissioners when first pro sented and I must say that their action was correct at the time, because the committee (a very intelligent one) found on the records some open mortgages against some of my bondsmen, although really satisfied, had not been so marked at that time, but which have been since so marked satisfied. 1 think that any unpredjudic- ed person will say that mine is the best official bond in the county. And just here is what 1 wish to explain, and that is that this objection to my bond comes entirely from prejudice. Now, I am not blaming the entire panel of Grand Jurors, for we all know that the business is generally done through the Foreman aud a committee. But the jury list is prepared by the Clerk of the Court, the Auditor and the Treasurer; the first two make a majority, (for I think the Treas urer was too busily engaged that day to attend). These two make up a list almost entirely at their own discretion. Mr. Albert Parrott being a conser vative.and Mr. Lawrence entire ly acceptable to conservatives, would naturally be influenced by these considerations in se lecting jurors. This is seen in the fact that the Grand Jury did not discover that Mr. Lawrence has given no bond at all as Au ditor, and that Mr. Albert Par rott's bond is defective by rea- sor. that Dr. J. C. Willcox, his principle bondsman, is dead and his estate is being settled in my office as insolvent. "r. P. P. Chambers was ap pointed Foreman at the sugges tion of Mr. Albert Parrott. 1 have mentioned these facts briefly to show the “true in wardness” of the move and in justice to friends who have kind- lv gone on my bond. R. K. Charles. Darlington, June SCth. the replies. ^ Kditor Messenger: Mr. R. K. Charles in his piece in your last issue in reference to his bond uses these words: “But the Jury list is prepared by the Clerk of Court, the Auditor and the Treasurer; the two first make a majority (for I thick the Treas urer was too busily engaged that day to attend). These two make up a list almost entirely in their own discretion.” Mr. Charles knew when he made that statement that it was not true, for the Statutes require the attendance of all the Jury Commissioners when the Jury is drawn, and no two of them can open the box. He knows further that the Statutes re quire that “all Jurors shall be selected by drawing ballots from the jury box and the persons whose names are borne on the ballots so drawn shall be return ed to serve as Jurors,” making it impossible for any or all of the Jury Commissioners to make up a list almost entirely in their own discretion.” The law in regard to drawing the jury was strictly enforced in every particular. There are other statements in his piece that have not a word of truth m them, but I will not trespass on your space to mention them. T have mentioned these facts briefly to show the” want of veracity of the said R. K. Char les. W. Albert Parrott. Darlington, July 7, 1896. Editor Messenger: Replying to the insinuation of R. K. Char les in last week’s issue of your paper in which he insinuated that I was not present at the drawing of the jury in February last, I desire to state that I was present when the jury was drawn and took part in said drawing which the law of the State of South Carolina makes it my duty to do and I have sworn to faithfully perform all the duties appertaining to my office. I will state that the law requires that the Clerk of Court, Auditor and Treasurer consti tute the board of jury commis sioners, each member of said board to have a different lock and key to the jury box, so that no one or two of said board can go into the jury box without the presence and consent of the other members. Hoping this will explain my position in the matter, I am yours respect fully, J. W. Woodham. Darlington, July 7, 1896. Editor Messenger: Replying to R. K. Charles’ lies ana re flections so far as I am concern ed, would say that R. K. Char les is either a fool or a knave. More than this I denounce his reflections, inuendoes and state ments so far as they relate- to me and my official and private acts as contemptible lies with out foundation or fact and could not have emanated from any other than a pernicious pimp on Populism. The Grand Jury drawn for 1890, Feb. 18, in the presence of VV. Albert Parrott, J. W. Wood- ham and myself. Jury Commis sioners for Darlington county, were P. P. Chambers, J. A. Middleton, J. A. Smoot, R. H. Bryant, J. E. Bass, Sr., S. S. Conner, P. S. Wilds, Geo. H. Caroway, Jno A. Jordan, F. H. King, P. R. McCall, J. R. Mc Farland, J. P. Kirven, T. H. Coker, Geo. W. McLeod, Jno. H. Huggins, G. T. Stokes and W. P. Johnson, 12 or 13 Till- manites and 5 or 6 Conserva tives. The special committee on ex amining books, offices and bonds were R. H. Bryant, J. E. Bass, Sr., S. S. Conner, F. H. King, P. R. McCall, T. H. Cok er, with P. P. Chambers, Fore man ex-officio; 6 Tillmanites and one Conservative. Let an unbiased public draw the mantle of sympathy around this persecuted Master in Chan ce—ry and Dispensary. Piti able pest. Not acceptable to even Reformers and spurning the acceptability of Conserva tives. “Wad some power the giftie gie us.” I hope to always merit acceptability with Re formers, Conservatives and ne groes, if you please, R. K. Char les’s opinions to the contrary notwithstanding. W. H. Lawrence. Darlington, July 7, 1896. The Hon. Jos. H. Earle should either resign the judgeship, or get out of the race for the Sen ate. The spectacle he presents at present is not edifying. He is *tan ling on the judicial robes with both feet, while his hands are out stretched eagerly to- wards the Senatorial toga that is slipping from the shoulders of John L. M. Irby. A judge and a candidate in one and the same person is a hybrid that the voters of South Carolina, do not especially admire. — Sumter Watchman and Southern. THE G01TY HIT. A STATEMENT FROM ONE WHO HAS LOOKED INTO 1 HE MATTER. It Shows That The County Is In No Worse Condition Then For Sev ere) Veers. The matter of the county debt has been the subject for a great deal of talk and criticism ever since the Grand Jury presented the matter to the Court. At the request of the editor of the Hartsville Messenger, a friend of that paper prepared a state ment of the county’s financial affairs, and at the request of County Supervisor King it is published in this issue of The News. Mr. King says that the statement is all correct except the item “total balance due,” and this should read “Total bal ance to be paid out of the re ceipts of the present fiscal year,” as the money was borrowed to be paid out of this year’s receipts, and the money will not be col lected until next fall. As to the rest of the statement, Mr. King says he will vouch for its accuracy. the statement. The presentment of the Grand Jury at the last term of court is calculated to mislead (perhaps unintentionally) those who do not take the trouble to make an examination into the financial condition of the county. To satisfy myself I have taken the trouble to examine the books of the county Supervisor and will give you in round numbers the result. I found that the accounts for the last fiscal year 1894-6 had all been paid except; about $245. The amount of the approved ac counts for the present year (1895- 96) to June 1896 and Includ ing the expenses of the last term of court amount to about $10 900 Of which there has been paid about 8 900 Leaving a balance due on ap proved accounts for the present fiscal year of $ 2 000 Amount borrowed from Bank....'. 8 700 Amount due on fiscal year 1895-96$10 700 Amount due on fiscal year 1894- 95 about 245 $10 945 Cash on hand June 15 2 250 Two Lives Saved. Mrs. Phoobo Thomas, of Junc tion City, 111. was told by hos doctors she had Cosumpt nhy and that there wasn hope r p t her, but two bottlen Dr. Kingyt New- Discovery if completelt cured her and she says it save her life. Mr. Ts td soggers, 139 Florida St. SanFEenfcisco, suf fered from a drudlians cold, ap proaching Conumnn on, tried without result ever.t hing else then bought one bottle of tDr. King’s New Discovery and in two weeks was cured. He is nat urally thankful. It is such re sults, of which these are sam ples, that prove the wonderful efficacy ot this medicine in Coughs and Colds. Free trial bottles at Dr. J. A. Boyd’s and O. B. Davis’ Drug Stores. Reg ular size 50c. and $1.00. Total balance due $ 8 895 Taking into consideration the large amounts paid for court ex penses, and the increased ex penditures on account of the new road law, the amount now due does not seem to be much in excess of the amount due at the same time of year during previous years. The 31 mill levy for this year will give the county about $12,- 000, and the income from licen ses, fines and dispensary profits will probably be at least $1,000 or $2,000—making a total of say $13,000 to $14,000, which will give the County Supervisor from $4,000 to $5,000 with which to pay the expenses of the county until Nov 1st. Of the expenses incurred dur ing the present year between $500 and $1,000 have been spent for mules, machinery, &c., for use on the public roads. The greatest item of expense that the county commissioners have to meet is in the costs of the courts over which they have no control. Neither have they any control over the amounts paid to the Clerk of Court, She riff, Auditor, Probate Judge or Coroner, except to see that they do not charge more than the salaries and fees which are all fixed by law. Since April 1, 1895, there has been paid the sum of $8,964 95 for jury and witness tickets alone. The county has been on a credit basis for the past ten years at least. Sometimes a new fiscal year is commenced with a balance to the credit of the county and sometimes with a deficit. It is impossible for the county commissioners to estimate the exact amount that it will take to run the county for the ensu ing year, all they can do is to make as close estimates as pos sible and see that the money raised by taxation is wisely and honestly expended. Any one wishing to study this question will find that County Supervisor King is ready and willing for his books to be inspected at any time. / Old People. Old people who need medicine to regulate the bowels and kid neys will findAhe true remedy in Electric Bitters. This medi cine does not stimulate and con tains no whiskey nor other in toxicant, but acts as a tonic and alterative. It acts mildly on the stomach and bowels, adding strength and giving tone to the organs, thereby aiding Nature in the performance of the func tions. Electric Bitters is an ex cellent appetizer and aids diges tion. Old people find it just ex actly what thev need. Price 50 cents per bottle, at Dr. J. A. Boyd’s and O. B. Davis’ Drug Stores. APR Sent to Camp Darlington enter Redding Wm E. James, Es<J , Adjutant 1 : Please present with my re gards to your Camp this poem, written for the U. C. V., and sent to Camp Darlington by me as a souvernir of the Richmond reunion. Sincerely, (Mrs.) Lee C. Harbt. 313 W. 70th St., New York. THE GATHERING OF THE CAMPS. From the stir and rush of the great city’* life, From the fields and the mills and far lying wood, Here have gathered men who are left from that strife ' Wher the South gave her all and her rivers ran blood. Once again they come; “On to Rich mond ! ” the cry— ns the foeman had threatened in the days long ago— But no smoke of the battle obscures now the sky, And the years, filled with peace, have made friends of their foe. Still they gather and march, and their music rings out, While the flag of their Camps in the bright sunshine waves, And the names of their heroes evoke the old shout— Their fierce, wild “ rebel yell,” from . the throats of these braves! But the strife they now wage is a bat tle with Time, Lest his breath dim the glory dim the deeds done of yore. When these men were but striplingf at best in their prime— When they fought for their rights as men ne’er fought before. ’Twas a principle true, and a troth cannot die— The brave soldiers who fell made immortal the cause; In the heart it lives on, and as ages pass by All its beauties will brighten and blot out its flaws. Throug the decades to come, O my comrades and brothers, We shall meet in memoriol, year after year; And the babes, as they stand at the knees of their mothers. Shall be taught of your deeds, as one teacheth a prayer. Oh! my friends, then clasp hands, we comrades indeed— We are one for to-day, though our life paths divide; Who, if ever again calls our country in need, Will unite at her cry and will fight side by side. We are brothers by blood—the blood that was shed; We are sons of one mother—the South gave us birth; We have camped’neath one roof, we have slept in one bed. For the sky arched above us, our couch was the earth. Then assembled we here, round the fair Southern Cross,— All the days of the past we shall live o’er again— Pay a tribute of tears to the might of our loss, Grant a full meed of love to the men who remain. Sing our songs, tell our stories; let eyes fill with tears— They will wash out the dross from the heart of the world; For our Sons and our Daughters we heed have no fears If the depths of their souls by our tales can be stirred! Wave the Stars and the Bars! ‘tis a token, a sign, Of all that we bore In the days of our youth; Keep the flag! Let its resting place serve as a shrine— As our Holy of Holies, in the Tem ple of Truth! Mns. Lee C. Habbt. Richmond, June 30, 1896. Will You Help The Good Cause? Mrs. Warley requests those who have anything to give to wards erecting a monument to South Carolina’s dead in the cemetery at Winchester, Va., to leave their contributions at The Darlington News office where they will be received and turned over to her to be for. warded to the proper persons. As Mr. Rouss has been kind enough to promise half of the amount needed for the monu ment, South Carolinians cer tainly ought to be able to raise the rest. The smallest contribu tions will be appreciated. COL. HASKELL GIVES ll CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, How Ho Triod to Hoad Off Uto of Commlooiona by State Offi Suopiciouo—What Evans' Service* Wore Worth. To the Editor of The State: I note in the debates ot candidates for the senate my name is brought in on sev< eral occasions, insinuations be ing made by different speakers as to what I did during the pas- sage of the act to refund the State debt, and what my mo tives were. Of course all the intimations as to the latter are, as is cus tomary with the statements of this gang, utterly false; but I think it just as well that the facte be brought out as they have undertaken to bring my name in. When the bill came before the legislature. I became satis fied that in the matter of com missions it was left so purpose ly open that the gang might re ceive the commissions. The reports of the debate and amendments utterly failed to show the most important amendment that I offered, which was that no State officer or member of the general assembly, should either directly or indirectly re ceive compensation in connect ion with ‘this business. The amendment was a verbal one, and was voted down under a motion to lay on the table. Not being in writing, it did not ap pear on the journals of the house, and the newspapers fail ed to get it. That was what I considered the most important amendment that I offered, and I was induc ed to do it by my experience with the usual mode of proced ure of the gang. Your readers will recall that one of the first acts of the Re form administration was that the governor, as chairman of the board of directors of that institution, sold to the asylum a large quantity of milch cows from his farm in Edgefield. I always believed that there was money dishonestly made in connection with the ruining of the phosphate business of the State. I am free to say that I could never get proof, as tha whole machinery was in the hands of the gang. I may have been mistaken in thinking this; but always have and always will believe it. When the bond bill came up it seemed to be perfectly plain that the object, in putting it into the hands of an utterly un known and uninfluential man, was that he might be made to share profits. His statement to Mr. John S. Williams that a large part of the commissions had to be paid over to men whose services were needed in the general as sembly seems to bear this out. Of course any lawyer of ex perience knows that there were no legal services connected with tne matter which would not have been amply naid by the $1,000, which are said to have been paid Major Gary, of Au gusta. I would not have said a word in this fight between members of the ring, but my name was being brought into the discus sions. and intimations made that I tried to obstruct the fund ing of the debt. All I tried to do, and failed, (Mr. Duncan be ing very active in opposing me), was to hedge it around so as to prevent any of the gang from using their official positions to make money out of the State’s business. I notice one gentleman in Berkeley says he thinks they were right in making all the money they could, for senators cannot live on their salaries. This is a novel view to take of the official duties of the State, to say the least. John C. Haskell. Columbia, S. C., July 8, 1896. the aerr * MINERAL WATER ON THE CONTINENT. For i*te« of board, apply to SIMPSON A SIMPSON; For water, apply to PAUL SIMPSON. LAW CARDS. am i. ATTORNEY AT LAW, I> AJtLI ITOTON WII practice !■ State aid Federal ceirts. Oflae in Armory Building. NewtonvtUa Arrive Gibaon Train No. 07—Daily exeapt 1 Leave Glbaoa KewtoaviUe Breeden’e. Bennetteville. MandevMle Bobin’a Neek Mont Clan Darlington Syraenae.... J. J.WARD, Attorney at Law, DARLINGTON, 8. C. Will Practice la the Cearts af the Fearth Clrcalt. Mchfffifi-lyr. Elliott.. St Charles No. M.—South Bound Local (Monday*, Wednesday and : Leave Sam ter.. Oawego................... St. Charles Elliott’s E. O.-Woade. Robert Maefarian. WOODS & IACFABLAI. (Sueoesaor* to Wood* A Spain.) ATTOWTEYS AT LAW. Darlington, S. C. Office* over The Bank of Darlington. Janl0’96—lyr. R.W. Boyd. G.W. Brown. BOYD & BROWN- Attarmeys aal Onuaelan at Law Office in S. Marco building, op posite Court House. DARLINGTON, S. C. Janl’96—lyr. T. H. Spain, H. T. Thompson. SPAIN ft THOMPSON, Attorneys at Lav, Darlington, - - - 8. C. Office* in Darlington Guard*’ Armory building, first floor. Special Moh26’96—yr. attention given to practice In the Probate Ceurt Ex-Judge J. H. Hudson, Special. fL L. Dargan HUDSON Will, Attorneys t Counsilors at Law. DARLINGTON, 8. C. SPEC! ALTOS: Real Estate, Corporatkmand Commer cial Law. Prctlce in 3rd and 4th Circuit*. Septl8’95 -lyr. Syraenae.. Darlington.. Mont Clare.. Robins Neck. MandervUle Bennetteville Breeden*..-—. .*. Alice NewtonviUe — ... Arrive Gibson Freight. Friday.) • 00am 10 IS am 1040 am 1100 am 1140 am 10 00 pm IWpm I'Opm $ 00pm 080 pm 4 00pm 40Spm 0 00pm 010pm No. 01.—South Bound Local Freight. (Tuesday, Thursday* *nd Saturday) Leave Gibeon ——.— 0 40 a m NewtonviUe.............. 8 OS am Alice 1010 am Beeden 1017 a m BennetteviUe 1110 a m MandervUle - 1148am Robins Neek 1810pm Mont Clare loaspm Darlington 2 00pm Syiaeuse................... 0 40pm Lamar 810pm Eliott’s —........ 0 00pm SL Charles — 418pm Oswego*.• 4 00 pu* Arrive Sumter 0 80pm NOTE.—Train No. 60 makee dose connection for Columbia via Darting- ton and Sumter; and for Chariest on via Florence; and for aU potots Norik. Train No. I at Florence from Charleston aad from all point* North and at Darlington from Colombia. pr ORTH EASTERN RAILROAD. Dated June 2nd, 1800. Trains going ■oath. No J0 No.28 No.58 • * e Le. Florence “ Kingstree— Ar. lane* La Lanas- - Ar. Charimton... am pm SM 746 ..... 8 08 488 012 pm 488 8 12 710 620 1118 800 Trains going north. No.78 No.82 NoJS e e • . am pm mm 456 400 700 700 662 8 SI 700 053 720 820 790 C HERAW Aim DARLINGTON Railroad. In effect Joa. 1,1806 No. 62.—NORTH BOUND. Leave Florence 840 a m Palmetto 006 am £»rilJterton 9«am Floyd’s _.... 1000am Dots’* — .... lOR a m Society Hill 10II am 1120am Cheraw— 11 Bm, K McFarian 12.40a - uosr Bennett’a l.i® Arrive Wadaaboro i.ao Leave Wadaaboro Bennett’s Morven’s. McFarian— Cheraw.™ . Cash's —... Society Hill Dove’*. Flo: Bucklen's Arnica Salv*. The Best Salve in the world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Eruptions, and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction, or money refunded. Price 25 cents r box. For sale at Dr. J. A. yd’s drugstore. Why suffer with Coughs, Colds and LaGrippe when Lax ative Bromo Quinine will cure you in one day. Does not pro duce the ringing in the head like Sulphate of Quinine. Put up in tablets convenient for tak ing. Guaranteed to cure, or money refunded. Price, 25 cents. For sale by O. B. Davis. Clemson College will begin her fourth year’s work Aug. 1. At that time applicants for the Fitting School and special stud ents who may not wish to take, the regular courses,will be mat riculated. For catalogue, ad dress Pres’t E. B. Craighead, Clemson College, 8. C Best 10c socks in the world, Cheraw knit. No. 68. SOUTH BOUND, ••••••••••• Palmetto. Arrive Florence... >•••••••••••• ••••••• •*•••••• TRAIN NO. 62—Daily. NO. 90 MIXED. Southbound. Leave Hartsville 6350 a m Elo^de— — 7 m»» Arrive Florence '••••••••••a8 IS am NO 94—MIXED. Northbound. Leave Florence Darlington..., Floyd*. — Arrive Hartsville—. NO. 98-LOCAL FREIGHT. Northbound. Leave Florence 9 90 a m Arrive Darlington -9 SO a m Southbonad. Leave Darlington 4 86 p _ Arrive Florence — 5 00 pm NO. 77 Leave Hartsville... Floyd*.. - Arrive fWmSe*"” 8 00pm 0 95 pc .9.40 pa, 2 SSpte • 40p» 4 06 p te 4.10 pm 616 pm 6.20 p» SOSpm .6 20pm .6 60pm