Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THOMAS MAKES SERIOUS CHARGES. The Ex-Rail road Commis siocer Begins a Book of Revelations. Charges cf Incompetency and Ras? cality Against His Late Asso? ciates-The Governor Called on to Take a Hand. Wedgefield, Dec 18, 1899. Editor Item : Some months ago I road a communication io your paper signed "Sumter Farmer" extolling the railroad commission for the re? daction of the cotton rate. I was surprised when 1 learned that the article was written by one of Sum? ter's moat intelligent representatives The argument used was a rehash of what the commission had to say of themselves. It was also somewhat of a rebuke to me, for I have repeat edly declared that the Board of Rail? road Commissioners are an utterly incompetent body, and I believe I can show this by the cotton rate which so delighted "Sumter Farm er ,7 Oa page 42 railroad commis eioners' report 1831, "Commissioner : Thomas advocated and tried to re duce the cotton rate to which the majority would not agree 99 At that time the net income of all the rail roads was $2,238,579 72, and the price of cotton was about 5 cents Tbis same majority reduced the cot ton rate in 1899 when the net income of all the railroads was ?2.162,718 04, and the price of cottonis 7 cents Now, why refuse to reduce the rate on cotton when the railroads could better stand the reduction and the people were more in need of it ? The answer is that one of the majori? ty is now a candidate for reelection asd desires to eommend himself to the people If this is a fact, is it no.t true, that the people have been swindled out of two years' reduced rate on cotton to suit the political convenience of the majority faction of the board ? It is the duty of "Sumter Farmer" to find out the facts from- the records sent to the legislature since he is the people's representative in that body. The board fixed a standard cotton rate, that is, the* same rate for every road. The law says, "The board shall make a just and reasonable rate for each road doing business in the State " The records of 1898 show that the S. C. & Ga railroad male a net income of $398,82S 79. while another corporation, the Carolina Midland, made a net income of $14. 921 45 The S C & G hauled 350,447 tons one raiie, and the C Midland hauled S,580 tons one mile Did the board execute the iaw when they fixed the same rate for this poor road as for the rich one It would be indeed instructive to know how these widely different figures could be made to produce the sarre result or rate What would "Su ai ter Farmer'' think of the taxing power of this county if they were to tax every citizen of the coi-n-y the same regerdless of the different condi lions ? This is what the Board of Railroad Commissioners have done, for which assinity a Sumter law maker praises them What is the result of this rate making ? It forces the stronger io gobbie up ali the weaker roads. It destroys competition and forces com? bination to tho detriment of every farmer and business man in the State Sometime ago Sumter felt the need of competition, and the citizens secured a connection with the S C. ??; G. railroad, before its completion the Southern railway owned both of them, and the people who put in their time, rights of way, &c, are lost in the shuffle, and Sumter is without competition, tor nobody is green enough to suppose that the Southern railway and the Atlantic Coast Line would fight for freights which they can pool All railroad intelligence agree that "competition is impossible where combination is possible 99 A stand? ard cotton rate is illegal, imjurious, absolutely foolish and proof of in competency I have taken advantage of "Sum ter Farmer's" communication for a j personal privilege He said : "It is said that the railroad commissioners do nothing but draw their salaries | I don't concur in this view " Ne; j their do I, for I know thev occasion i aliy draw sobf-r breaths They did draw $96 out of tba treaeury and pay the Alliance porter They did dratv j ?100 and paid the expenses of two j commissioners !o Washington to at ( tend a two dav's' convention, when ? i they had free passes to Washington j I went to Washington a few weeks afterwards i went and returned in j a sleeper, the trip cost me $10 Tue commissioners signed my name to ? the report without authority or ex j cuse and made me a party to whst I believe are iilegal charges I wrote j the fotiowing letter to the board and ? they made me no reply : Wedgefield, March 3 1*99. Hon W. D Evans, Chairman Boa.d of Railroad Commissioners. Dear Sir : ? received a copy of the railroad commissioners' report. 1898. My name was signed to the report without authority or excuse, und beg to enqure about some mitlers lave been made to approve T State is made to pay for the port fuU time when the alliance exchan has always paid hali' his wages. 1893 uuder Secretary Bartlett t State paid porter $29, in 1898 t State paid for the same service In 1S93 the State naid for stamps $: in 1S9?S $41. Two commission* attended the convention in Washir ton and the State paid $100 expens< You have made me responsible anc beg you will explain the above a oblige, Yours trulv. H R Thomas "Sumter Farmer" is a State offic especially charged with the duty protecting the interests of Sumtei citizens. The illegal cotton rate detrimental to the interest of eve citizen in that it destroys compel tion and makes peopie victims of railroad trust. No trust, is the der ocratic slogan for 1900, and yet tl South Carolina railroad commissio era, contrary to law, through pu ignorance, force a railroad trust < the people, and are commended by Sumter democratic law maker It "Sumter Farmer's" duty to official find out by what authority the Boai of Railroad Commissioners ignoi the law of the State to make a ju rate for each road and instead fix* the 6ame rate for every road, to ti destruction of competition and to t? injury of the people, and how it co $100 to go to Washington on fri passes, and thus protect the taxpa; ers To assist" him in his duty make the following affidavits an forward to the governor through hin our representative H R Thomas Wedgefield, Dec 18, 1899. Hon M B McSweeney, Governor < South Carolina Sir : I forward you aome affidavit and a letter which I wrote the Boar oi Railroad Commissioners last Marc in regard to what I believe was misappropriation of public funds, t which they maco me a party by si<rr ing my name to the report of 189 without my consent As they n fused to answer a respectful letti asking for information, in duty t myself and the peopie whose servar I was. I send you several affidavit as ts required in Sec 22, Art IV < the constitution of 1895. In the i; teres! of the State. I beg yon wi recommend the legislature to invest sra?? the fertilizer and cotton raf*2* both of which J believe are i?leg. and against the public interest ix R Thomas No i. MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUB LIC FUNDS Stat?? of South Carolina-Sumte County. Personally appeared before me, B P Kelley, a magistrate for ?ind i: said county and State, Ii R Thoma who, ot) oath, says he is informet and believes that on sundry timei ehc77D in office cash book and repor for the fiscal yeai 189$ at the railrcac commissioners' office in Columbia ir Richland county in said State W D Evan?, chairman. J C Wilborn anc Secretary D P Duncan was guilty o signing my name to tbs railroad cora missioners' report of 1898 sent in tc tte legislature without my auth(.ritj or consent and without excuse, mak? ing me a per y to th~ following misappropriation of public funds the property of the State of South Caro? lina : Paid to alliance porter, $96 Paid to Commissioners VV. D E^ans and J C. Wiiborn $i00 for attendance on a two days' conven? tion in Washington, to which city thev had free trarsportation. The board are charged with the safe keeping and disbursement of the contingent fund approbated by the legislature and did then and there convert, divert and appropriate the greater portion of said sums to their own use And further, that the eaid W D Evans. J C. Wilborn and Secretar. D. P. Duncan then and there the greater part of said sums, the property of said State, did take and appropriate to their own use H R. Thoma?. Sworn to before me this ISth day of December, 1899 B P Kelley, Magistrate No 2 COTTON RATE. State of South Carolina-Sumter County Personally appeared before me, B P Kelley, a magistrate for and in said county aral State. II R Thomas who, on oath pays that he is inform ed and believes ihat at "the railroad commissioners' oilioe in Columbia in Richland county in said State on the 1st day of September Int-t that W. D Evans, J C Wilborn and (; W. Garris, constituting the Bo ? 1 of j Railroad Commissioners, did uafce j and put in force an unlawful and hurtful cotton rate, being the same rate for every road, reguidiess of the different conditions, when the !aw requires a just and reasonable rate for each road doing business in the State. That ?he said VV D Evans, J C Wilborn and C W. Gai fis in disregard of the law as to rates are destroying competition and forcing ou the people a railroad trust to the great detriment and loss of the peo? ple il II Thomas Sworn to before rae this 18th day of 1 December. 1899 B P Kelley, Magistrate. No 3. FERTILIZER RATE. j State of South Carolina-Sumter ! County. Personally appeared before me, B. jP Kelley, a magistrate for and in j said county in said State, H. R. i Thomas who, on oath, "says that on ! the 28th day of iNovember, 1895. at j the railroad commissioners' office in j Columbia in Richland county iu said ! State, W D Evans and J C Wii j born, a majority of the Board of ! Railroad ommiesionets, against the protest of Ii. R Thomas, the miaon ty member of said board,'did put In force a fertilizer rate based on errors of about 800,000 dollars in the net income of all the roads as shown on j pages 177 and 186 report 1895, and that the majority of the board did not know whether the Southern rail road lost $93,107 28 or made ?442, 961 65 by the year's operations as shown on pages 177 and 185 report 1895 And further that said W. D. Evans aud J. C. Wilborn did enter into a trade with the railroads of the State against which said H. R. Thomas protested as shown on page 50 report 1896, where said W. D Evans and J. C Wilborn agreed to raise rates on other commodities to induce the roads to work an illegal fortihzer rate When the roads came for their pay and asked for a raise of rate under the trade or agreement said H R Thomas advocated a re? duction cf the cotton rate instead as shown on pages ol to 42 report 1897 Said W. D Evans and J. C Wilborn voted against cotton reduction At that time the net income of all the roads was $2,238 579 72 and the price of cotton was about 5 cents In 1899 said W. D Evans and J C Wilborn did reduce the rate on cot ton when the net income of ali the roads was $2.162,718 04, and the price of cotton is 7 cents. And fur iher that the fertilizer rate put in force reduced the rate from the Co lubia miils into the Piedmont section 25 per cent and from the Charleston mills 8 per cent in the same section The Charleston mi;i fixed the price all over the State This was an illegal discrimination in favor of the Columbia mills of 17 per cent, 3bout 75 cents a ton on about 70 000 to:?p, equal to ?bout ?50,000 3 year. The fertilizer rate was made by Secrelary D P Duncan, who was the agent for 1 the Columbia milis and who was the beneficiary of his own act, supported by said W. ?} Evana and J. C. Wi! born The discriminative and i?ega! fertilizer rate based on errors of about ?800,000 uss robbed the peo? ple in the Piedmont section alone out of seine $200,000 on the one commodity of fertilizer &?nce 1895. Report 1*895, pages 177 and 186, shows the impossible two incomes for nearly evt;y road It is impossi? ble to figure a just rate ?3 the law requires based on two incomes for each road or on $800,000 errots. fl R Thomas Sworn to before me this 18;h day of December, 1899 B P Kelley. Magistrate P?:^s os t.'neck, ssouicers, ?xcis, troi.t, sides bips, ??sd irat>- M;;- rt-na?v cured oyS:m ujyus Squaw V:?e Wi?.a cr Tiotets. - -p- - -<f-?? ? r.':;.r?r cern?s, ot? l'H^cr . ?..v.-is a: ii G O^t-e* A Oo' 8 AND Garden Seeds? A supply of Onion Sets, of choice varieties, and fresh Garden Seeds for the season's planting, now on hand. FULL LINE OF MEDICINES, PERFUMERY and Fancy Articles, Usually found in a first class Drug ?Store. Prescriptions carefully com? pounded at reasonable prices. J. F. W. DeLorme. (>ct 25. Tie Lamest aili Mest Complete iti Geo. S. Hacker & Son -M ANTJFACTD f : E RS ( ? F DQ?3S3 S?S?!3 SUNOS, Moulding & Building Material. office and V7itrerooms, Kinjr, opposite Can non Street, CHARLESTON, S. C, fi?S~ Pnrcfenrif* our mukt?. which we guaran ti superior to any sold South, and thereby care rooney. Window and Fancy Glass a Specialty Octcver 16-0 Dr M A .Simmons' Live-;- Medicine ?as 6n ce 1840 Bte tdd v risen in puftlic favor, and tbe dema.-id tor it far exceeds ibm ot ar y other hvnr medicine i Jh?f>P, Ps^or? a Wwi ~ is P2CC?* end iie Atlcr.ta S -? i wicc^a^/cck ?ojrn?l for S2.00. ? Here you get the news of ?; tlie world and all your local f news while it is fresh, paying % very little more than one f paper costs. Either paper is f well worth $i.00, but byspe- % cial arrangement we are en- ? I abled to put in both ol' thom, *; I giving three papers a week si I for this low price. You can- J I not equal thia anywhere else, j* ? and this combination is the g. I best premium for those who f want a great paper and a J home paper. Take these and | you will keep up with the f; times. s Besides general news, the I , Twice-a-Week Journal has f ? much agricultural matter % S and other articles of special f J interest to farmers. It has ~ 5 regular contributions hy Sam f ? Jones, Mrs. V.". H. Felton, I I John Temple Graves. Hon. | < C. H. Jordan and other dis- f a tinguished writers. ? ia Call at this oificc and leave your ?. a subscriptions fer boin papers. You ?r i| can get a sample copy or either pa- ^ ia per herc on application. g ? ? STIKO KO "?'C'NEY. Zly now reviled pcientific w?rk ueatim: on eve ry weakness and disease ;>e . .? ;;:r to men is inst from tho press. Every maa. . i matter what his occupation or position in ?ile. w ?: ?ii? this work unlike anything ever published, ?t .-o? vite) interest to the married cr unmarried; . ti> h?-a??s:i Mid st ron ir or to the weak and .k-T-tr.-v.-n. White the edition lasts I will (?end ?o:.r,y r.oc?iro?y scxledin a plain wrapper, post? ai* .?V--;v2'cr. ;.. every man writes ?or it. Thia rc is limited and those dearing a copy innst : ita : iy. Address 3. M. Hess. M. L>.. Pub .-.,;ii:.3 Oopar?mcc? 173 Clark St.. >'. ?. Cor. . t .-ji ? .:y\ illinois. " A FINE PIANO.' At a Bigb Price Is 2a*Uy Found, Bat Fine Piano? Like the At oar -vries.; ure only fount! in o'jr w?re rr.otj?. Tber :.-rr3cr>tcappy con r i nation of excellence, ir.i-^s-ibie to surpass elsewhere. Catalogue ?r:d Bosk of Sr-caesti^ns for the askinjr. TKRMS ACCOSJ5?O.DATING. SECOND-HAND PI ANOS TUNING, REPAIRING. CHAS, hi STIEFFj Wsrerocras. 0 North iine.-rv Strf-et. P-ic'ory-?iock of E. L%fajette Ave., Aiken acd Lan vile streets. CHARLES G. LESLIE, Wholesale ar,d Retail Corst?issioo Dealer ia Oysters, Game and Poultry. S:ails No. 1 aod 2 F sb Market. Oflice, Noa. IS and 2D Market Strtet. CHARLESTON, S C. Cjnsicatcenp.3 ofCotiniry Prodnc?, Poultry, E-zgs, &c . hre wpectfully solicited. Prompt returns mp.de. Fish p*ckel in barrels and bniis fer the country trade a specially. Dec 6 x ^rsbabEy pa asse it Nearly everyone docs, and ir so yow know ail about how far superior :t is to either baking soda or baking powder. is the latest advance in baking prepara? tions, and if you dor.': usc it you should.. Ii Is netter Than Soda because i: will make biscuit just ri^ht every time. No more yellow spots or .-'?CiL l?tStC. rt J.r. Better Than Baking Poivde: ]?> >-.v.:-c ii i?'. hait us strong ai^.!.!'i and <-:.o heaping tc:.Sj>oontuI will do the wo k '?: ; v ) r*>i:u:1ed teaspoon fit. s er j i - . prepared t.i^t v.*:th ord mary '?n- j I; wi"! ;"c*;\i;"! its full sl-criiitli tor yea:,^ \vc do u .: hr.ve to -nek ii ia rv. c r s Ilk?; bakitri? t>owdci\ and rhis ::: < : : !):: :. tts ?. :;T.'C VC?Vt I)', tier v . ]<?: VOttr ;::;>UvV than VOtl ?i\*C2 THE BANK ?F S?MTER, SUMTER, S. C. City and County Depositary Capital S?ock j^i-'l io, . . S"?:000 00 j Undivided ?uri?!??. . . . 15,000 00 Individual ?abttttv of stockholders io r-xct -? o? thf-ir s'ock, . 75,000 00 TrarirHc'a n fren; rn! banking ^u?ir)c.:>3 ; aiso has H Savintr? Bank D?partaient Deposits of $1 and upward rervived Interest M?ovrtd aj the raip of 4 | er cent, per annuis, payable sem i-annually. W F. B. HAYNSWORTH, President. MARION MOISE W . F. RHAMK, Vice-President. Cashier. Jan 31. M?M JflOVED ITP MM =_-_- Has moved his stock of - Hardware, ?f?ve?? Cut? lery, Crockery, &c, Into the large store next to First National Bank, lately occupied by the Ducker & Bultman Company, And is now better prepared with a larger stock than ever, to supply the publia with everything in bis line. Espeoial attention is directed to the very larga line of Stoves and Stove Fixtures, Both cooking and beating, and also to our large line of CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, WINDOW GLASS, PAINTS, OILS. Our regular lines of Hardware," Tools, Cutlery, Guns, Ammunition, Harness, Saddlery, Hoosefurniebiog Goods, &c, will be found larger and more complete. We a!*o carry Engine and Mill Supplies. Remember, all our stoves are warranted. Call a?d see us. Very respectfully, L. B. DURANT. Sep 6-x TMENT COMPANY AND COUNCIL OF PHYSICIANS. Will Cure at Home Blood Poison in all Stages, Scrofula, Cancer and Rheumatism. Cures Guaranteed. jf suffering from any form of contagious or inherited Blood Poison, Cancer; Rheuoat?-m, Paralysis, Private Diseases, Gonorrhea, Gleet, Weakness of Or? gans, you can be oured at home with perfect safety at small cost. You caa secure tho combined skill of a staff of eminent physicians and specialists with a large experience abd observation in treating such diseases at Hot Springs. Any caf-e they accept for treatment who faithfully complies with directions without a cute viii be entitled to free board, room and treatment at their institution until cured No nostrums or cure-alls used, but special remedies for each particular case, and to suit the particular stage of the disease. Honest, expert treatment is what you need A book of full particulars with question blanks sect secure from observation en receipt of 2 cent stamp for portage. Address HOT SPRINGS TREATMENT CO., or P O Box 110. June 14-0 HOT SPRINGS, ARK. h l?Z^f?C** ? fet?lca! Change in Marketing Methods 5 <? ?jM as Appaed te mewing machines. # & fey < ri;M An c???:3'?i piss tinder which you eau obtain ? k -.. ?f<^*r&?s&*. ? c-?.s>er terms and better va?as in the purchase of *x "\ ? s ii: ? world fasces *. White" Sewing Machine than P \ ^-??.i ~" ever before offered. ? ? Write for cur elegant ??-T catalogue and detailed particulars. How 5> h we caa save yo:; stoney ia the purchase cf 2. high-grade sawing machine % iv ana the easy terr.?3 o? psysnent wo caa offer, either direct from ? ^ factory or through our regular authorized agents; This is aa oppor- 0 % taiiity you cannot afford to pass. You ?;rjow the "White," you know ? v its m a n u fa ct u re rr. ? Therefore, a detailed description of the machine and ^ V its coiiatmciion is unnecessary. If you have an old machine to exchange ? % wc cai! offer ?nest ?bora? ierras. Write to-cav. Address in fulli ? < nai^.r:.- W,O?%V.?^?VX?. ?WT.* .Jlfflc SETO: S?SSBE f??, CDep't A.) acvdrt, mu, J? FOT Sale, ?O fi?oi*???# I wish to say to the public that I have added to my business Live Stock, and wii? kefif1 OD hand at my Scabies, a nice line of young 8nd weil broke Horses and Mulei, for sale at the lowegt prices. Give me a trial and be convinced that my prices are as low as the lowest. Ceo. F? Epperson. Columbia Business College, COLUMBIA, S. C. Th'- leading business training school of South Carolina which turns out graduates ?or holding thc bett positions of honor and trust in fae ousicess and shorthand profession The aim of thc :nsi:tution is to be honest in every state? ment it makes, and to give even more value thso it promises. It claims to keep improvement as its watchword, and excellence and thoroughness as it? standard. It aims to merit patronage by thorough, conscientious work 50 per cent of the courses taught tn other oommercia! schools cf this section are pot more than a preparatory to curs, Graduates assisted to positions. For information and catalogue, address, W. H. Newberry. President. TESTIMONIALS. From or.e of our fir&t graduates, rle has a J COMPLETED SHORTHAND IN THREB geed position, *ir.d recorameucs our school j as the fce?t, HS dees ali of cur students. MONTHS. Colombia. S C , Jan. 8. 1897. i Blackville, 'Barnwell Co . Mea 30, 1S99. Prof W. 1!. NewoerrV, President C. 2. 0 , |.-Mr. W. H. Newberry, President Coloabia y/v Dear Sir: During the month of Janu- Business College, Columbia, S C ?rv, 1S83 WHS ihe tirue I began a business Sly Dear Sir: It affords rue pleasure to course ir.' the Gol uni Ma Bcsir.es* Co liege r-stifr to tbs merits ct the Goiumbia^Busioess iitbourh a stranger io the cit'-. 1 was wei- Colbee. I do i o: hesitate to ?av thm I have comed bv ?roi?:t:>rs and students, which received substantial r.o'i beneficia! results. I madi? me" feel at berne. H?viop completed cheerfully recommend : t?o any parson desir mv .-curse. I accepted a position *3 book- cus of secuting a t-usiness education Dur keVer for one ot the Uraest dry coods : firms Jog my course ot study st ibe col Ieee there 10 the citv, T7hi<h position I bold fer was uniform kird and courteous treatment yenr, ?nd then changed to tho grocery firm rt'"d attc-ntioa. Close attention WBS given of James M". Gr.-en, on*-of tbe leading fancy tbe students by tbe i: ?tructors to irsure ac erocers io the city which posbion I Still bold curacy and thoroughness in tbnr studies, Owing to the thorough '.raining teceivfd at and my progress WHS rar;d, and I presume, the columbia Business Collage, have been ifiicient, ?s 1 ottato; d a situation a? soon as iib!? to master every business trar.sscik.n that I reached hon.?, and, so fnr as I know, am has come io my work. Io future years will mvirg satisfaction. I completed my Sbort alwavs look n?ck to the tiaie spent in the hand course in three months. I do not think Columbia Business College with pleasure. I i tbe Columbia Bnsines3 College CHU be excelled recommend this pchool to all who d?sire a j by any other in the State. Ever wiebiop business education. Joar college grand Boccess, I am Frcm your friend and student Your friend aod old stodent, W. W. GREGG. I (Miss) DAISY STOKES.