Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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STATE BO?f? mWhl ?'Mormy General Bellinger and Mr. Jesse T. Gan't Deny the ii Insinuations Made Against issy Bemanri a Hearing Before the Gen? eral Assembly. Columbia, Feb. 9.-The publication ?? the report of tte-State House com istee created a considerable sensa ;h&oday.Gen. G. Duncan Bellinger, ?ho was a member or? fhe coni aission that is criticised, has pre ared a ' card in which he ~de na?ds a hearing for himself and the >ther members of the commission. 3is; card reads as follows : ?1 was astonished to see in the press fiflta report by she joint committee o consider the several reports of the Immission on the completion of the >?te Hons? and facts relating thereto iad been submittd to the General issemrjly, as the report unmistakably mpngns the character of the members if ~the State Bouse commision author zed and directed "to complete the state House," of which commission [ w&s a member, for, from the report, t is obvious that no member of that ?ommission testified before the corn? ai tfeee, and I beg to submit th3t from sy c wn exprience that no member wts ives allowed a hearing. I requested and iemanded of Mr. J. O. Patterson, a nember of the committee, that I, as i member of the State House commis ;icn, -should be heard and requested ?bat ?nmble privilege. He informed ne that he had seen the chairman ;he Sba. .Robert Aldrich, in reference o the ^natter and that such a privilege vould be granted. I have been con inndnsly in the city of Columbia or he town of Barnwell, the home of hes? gentlemen, since this investiga fSfcbegan. My request was refus?e., ! was allowed no showing. I in brmed Mr. Pattreson that if I was ienied a hearing that I would appeal 0 the General Assembly. I now do ?o, I now ask that ali parties con terned be allowed a showing. Other nembsrs asked the same privilege. ,'i was denied. We now appeal to the ease of justice of the G?r erai Assem >iy and ' to the pubile at large for n bowing, a hearing that has never been Ienied to the humblest representative >f the Angio-Saxon race. Without a 1 earing aa attempt has been made ta :ast a stigma upon the names and re? ?ata&ion of Governor M. B. Mc? sweeney, Secretary of Sate M. S. dooper, State Treasurers W. H. Tim nerman and B. H. Jenni aga, Comp? rob?? General J. P. Denh am, Chair - aaa of the Finance Committee of the Senate George S. Mower., Chairman, ii the Ways and Heans Committee o? he-Hcuse J. Harvey Wilson, Repre entatives W. J. Johnson and R. J. Tanti and myself. It is inconceivable, infair and inhuman, that such a re? sift should be made without a hear ng, for, as a citizen of a S -ate thai I lave attempted faithfully to serve, I tave always believed and now believe hat the noblest feature of our Gov rument is *4 A law which hears be? ere it condemns, which proceeds upon aquiry and renders judgment only fter trial" My appeal is to the ?esferal Assembly for this privilege, isl am not a member of ?he General Assembly, and this is the- only avenue hgt I have to appeal to them for a ?earing. I hold no public office except hat of a member of the board of rus tees of Clemson College, to which waar elected by the General Assembly, n?out a dissenting voice, and ;as a itizen and member of the State House commission I ask a full, fair hearing -a privilege to give an account of my tewardship in this matter. Truly his is not an unreasonable request! G. Duncan Bellinger. Mr. Jesse T. Gantt, who was also irodght into the report, has been quick 0 make an explanation of his connec ion with the matter and has given ms letter to the press*. To Hobart Aldrich, Esq., Chairman, Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Ian the epcrj of the commission, of which \ ?o%r are chairman, presented tb the; jre&ial Assembly this morning, Il lotice the testimony of a witness to the j act that during the year 19011 was a j >arty to the pure hase of a portion of j \he cid iron, af uer it was removed rom the State House, which I con-1 rerted into country bridges. This I srinted report is .the first intimation ?hst I have had that you .desired light j >n this question, or I wonk! have been j neased to have placed before you all j ?acts in regard to the transactions. j 1 appeared before the county com nissiocers of Richland comity and j nade the contract for the erection of ;he bridges, visited other counties in j in endeaavor to sell them, and wrote j >ver my own signature to practically ?very county supervisor in the State naking a like offer. I designed the ?ndges and personally superintended ' ieir constrcution in Richland county ?? altogether made about $400 out of Poe transaction. The awarding of the retract was published in the news? papers at the time, and was frequently publicly referred to, and I have never leard the slightest suggestion of any impropriety in my actions therein. C was not Secretary of State at the ame, had no connection with the ?ommission, and have never had any connection with the work on the State Sons?. The commission, I knew, at ts first meeting had determined the )?d iron to be the property of lt he con? tractor, and referred Mr. Garfunkle, jf^Colambia, to him for its purchase, kater the Attorney General gave it as his opinion that the contract gave thisjron to the the contractor by its terms: the architect of the building declared that before bids for the work ?.ere filed he had so informed the bid? ders,, and the successful bidder showed oj his estimates that he bad allowed credit to the State therefor in his esti ojatSs. I paid to the owner full value bribe iron-In fact, a higher price ih&a any other bidder therefor, in a Competitive bidding, and took the rhances of the failure of a project in kbich I had confidence, but which pany practical men believed to be im? possible, the converting of scrap iron, yoph from $8 to $15 a ton, into coun? ty bridges, worth much more. In any gent the statement of . the bare fact pit ? had purchased this iron, witb jgt other reference in yonr report, ! ppard as unfair and aa injustice tp fys?lf. If your-commission question f the transaction you certainly failed w do the duty., with which you were Barged by the General Assembly if you neglected to nrobe the matter to the bottom, and I demand as a right to myself that yon do so now, in any event. I was present in the State House at the time of your meetings and could have been caliea ns a wit? ness in fifteen minut.es;. Your report ba v. ne been publi>hed without giving me an opportunity to appear before you, I publish this let? ter in advance of mailing you a copy thereof. Respectfully, J. T. Gantt. Columbia, S. C., February 9, 1304. It is understood that all of tbe members of the commission will be here tomorrow to demand a full inquiry into the facts, and the members of the commission here say they are surnrised i and indignant that they were denied a hearing by the State House com? mittee. Columbia, Feb. ll.-There was a meeting of the members of the old State House commission this morning in regard to the recent report tc the General Assembly, all but four being present. Those in attendance were: Ex-Governor M. B. McS weeney, former Attorney General G. Duncan Bellinger, State Treasurer Jennings, R. J. Gantt, J. Harvey Wilson, W. J. Johnson. Those not attending were : j Former Comptroller General J. P. Derham, former Secretary of State M;? R. Cooper, former State Treasurer W. H. Timrnerman and Col. J. Q. Marshall, the latter having submitted i the minority report, upon which the i findings of the new committee was ! based. These had been notified of ! the meeting, but did not come. It is I understooed that Architect Milburn j will prepare a letter for the General j Assembly. After a session of an hour the fol? lowing memorial was prepared. Gentlemen of the General Assembly : From, an examination of the report of the jdint committee "to consider the several reports of the commission on .the completion of the State House and facts relating thereto,** we, the under? signed members of the commission, authorized and directed "to complete the State House," feel that the report of the committee does us a manifest injustice, as it wittingly or unwitting? ly or unfairly condemns our acts and the work approveed by ns without giv? ing, us an opportunity to be heard and even refusing to allow us a hearing. Many of the allegations of error and incompetency are easily explained. Certain conclusions could and would not have been drawn had available "evidence been heard. Above all, we feel that an impression, tbat must necessarily result from the tenor and terms of the report, would not exist if we were allowed the opportunity to be heard. Therefore, believing that the General Assembly can have no intention of condemning us without a hearing, as meembers of a commission upon whom you- imposed an involuntary public duty, shonld be allowed to account for that trust and to give their answer and explanation to any allegation or insinuation, we most respectfully memorialize your honorable body to make provision forgiving us a hearing in order that further and all evidence may be produced and give light upon the question before the committee, and that our evidence and re? ply to the report of the committee should become a public record of your honorable body of the same permanency and dignity as the report itself. Respectfully : M. B. MJS weeney, G. Duncan Bellinger, J. Harvey Wil? son, R. H. Jennings, Robert J. Gantt, W. J. Johnson. _ MILBURN DENIES CHARGES. To the People of South Carolina: On my return home from a business trip in Tennessee and North Carolina I find the newspapers filled with a very sensational report from the in? vestigation committee, criticising the Capitol commission, the architect and \ the contractor for the work done on , the State House. I want to entera denial of the charges and to denounce the report as being unjust and as mis? representing the facts. J' have no objection to any com? mittee investigating or criticising my work, but what I do object to is being accused of being a party to anything that is not honorable, honest, upright, open and above board. I labored hard for two years ttrying to get . the best possible results for the State with the small appropria? tion, which I realized was insufficient, and I-expect to show to the people that they received the value of every dollar i expended, and that not one cent was I wasted. I I had heavy expenses in my office, j but I think out of the fees paid me I realized 82,000, which amount I will donate to any charitable institution in the State if this or any other com? mittee will prove that I have been a party to any fraudulent proceedings whatever. I expect to give the com? mittee a full oppoitunity to prove their infamous charges. I have been engaged in public work for eighteen years and have erected creditable buildings in all of tbe Southeastern States, varying in num? ber from thirty-five to fifty-five build? ings each year, and this is the first time that my name has ever been men? tioned in connection with any irre? gular proceedings. I was supported throughout by the entire Capitol commissioj, with the single exception of Col. J. Q. Mar? shall, who told me the first time I ever met him, and before he saw my plans and specifications, that he felt under obligations to support another archi? tect, which he did with all his power and influence. When at first Col. Marshall found objections to the work he did not come to me and discuss the matter, as it is customary for commissioners to do in such cases, and say: "Why cannot we do this?" or "Is that practicable?" or "I do not believe you are doing the work right." No. Tne first thing I knew he appeared before the Capitol commission with a long typewritten document, with copies ready for the newspapers. Does not this look to be somewhat on the order of a grand stand play? Tihe Capitol commission was com? posed of the best men the State could produce, and my experience with them wai rants me in saying that these men are not lacking in either intelligence or integrity. But if the report of the investigating committee is accepted it puts them, as well as myself, ina very unfavorable light. fIfc is a pity that honorable men like these shpuld be accused of such infam- ; I ons charge?, and, I for one, propose to fight it out and prove to the people that there is a such a thing left as honor. I have just received a copy of the report of the committee, which criti? cises the work, aqd as the charges are rather broad I want to consider the same carefully, and will answer it in detail as soon as possible. Frauk P..Milburn. Columbia, February 12. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Immigration Bureau Bili Passes its Second Reading. Appropriation Bili Taken Up and Good Progress Made-State House Scan? dai Causes Hot Discussion. Columbia Feb. ll.-The House, to? day considered and acted upon two most important matters. First it or? dered toa third reading the Senate bill providing for the establishment or a department of immigration. The Senate bill was passed with an amend? ment which will most likely be drop? ped from the bill in conference,a3 it does no good in the law. The purpose of the amendment was announced to be to restrict the immigrants to be sought to what are known as "desir? able settlers," but the amendment went further and indicated exactly from what country settlers were want? ed, as if the doors could be closed to any. At all events the House and Senate have approved the general plan and have almost finished the necessary legislation to provide for the bureau. The consideration of the general appropriation bill consumed the re? mainder of the day. The disposition of the House seemed to be to leave the appropriations at what they had be6n in former years. Generally the com? mittee report was adopted and Chair? man Moses saw that no considerable harm came to the bill. At the night session the report of "the State Bouse committee on the State House work was the cause of some lively proceedings. During the debate following the introduction of the memorial of the State House commission in reply to the report of the investigation committee Mr. W. J. Johnson, of Fairfield, a member of the commission and Mr. T. Y. Williams, of the committee be? came engaged in a heated tilt during which the lie was passed. Both subse? quently apologized to the House for using imparliamentary language, but specifically stated that theydid not retract their charges. In the Senate the commutation tax bill and Senator Brice's dispensary bill were under discussion most of the day. The Brice bill after amendment was passed to a third reading. At the night session uncontested bills were considered. % Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 12.-Cable advices received today by owners state that the bark Lillian, from Philadel? phia for Charleston, before reported at Bermuda, lies sunk at St. George's. She will be surveyed, condemned and sold. Honored at Home. Rev. Parker Holmes, pastor of the First M. E. Church, South, Hickory, N. G, says: "I have used Rydal e's Stomach Tablets for indigestion and regard them as a perfect remedy for this disease. I - take pleasure in recommending them to all sufferers from indigestion.*' Use Rydale's Stomach Tablets for your stomach trouble and you will join Dr. Holmes in this strong en? dorsement These tablets will digest the food your weak stomach cannot, and thus nourish the body and prevent the partial starvation, from which all dyspeptics stif? fer and which causes the loss of flesh, and strength all dyspeptics experience. These tablets relieve ail disagreeable symptoms at once. They will increase your strength and flesh almost from the first d?y's use, and will soon restore you to perfect health. All-dealere. After caiiff":, persons of a odious hab?; will derive great benefit by talcing ou cf these p??is. li you havebecn .FINKING TOO MUCH, they wi?l pr^rnpt?y relieve thc notice ; >? CK HEADACHE^ and nervousness which ?o??ows, restcrr f he appetite a od remove gloomy iee ings. Eiegantly s;:gar coated. lake No Substitute,_ Tie Larp? ai Most Mete Etfi?Q?llt M Geo. S. Hacker & Son, -MANUFACTURERS OF DOORS, SASH, BLINDS, Moulding & Building Material. office and Warerooms, King, opposite Cac DOD Street, CHARLESTON, S. C. jB&~ Pnrcbas* our make, vebieb we gu?rante superior to any sold Sou tb, and thereby nave money. Window and Fancy Glass a Specialty October 16-o PENNYROYAL PILLS _ OrffflnnJ mid Only Genuine. ,/lK?\*AFIE. -?><*?"? r-::?Me. Ladlee?MtDrvecitt ??lJ^a?^ fvT CHJCHEsSTEirs ENGLISH in I?.*l> ?n i Gold mrt??ic box??. ?f?Jrd ~~*mz? Mu* r.Mv>o. Take no other. Refute ^**7 ?7^ *L$ ?>*,*,^?'",0?. *nb?.tllwf!on? ?ntl Imf ta / flj ll???. ?l l>*!iKgi,t. or #?n?t -te. ia Cz m.i -R*H*r r^X.mAhe^Tin ?mgr. KT TO IS iura Stall. 1<>.ft"W ir'iimoBiaM. S?id ht *?r.noa IMttmtnj Al ?di?**. l*UtLJL.. VA. BANK ROBBERS AT ST. GEORGE'S. Lively Time in Town of St. George's-Believed That Two of the Gang Were Badly Hurt. Special to The State. St. Georges, Feb. 9.-Informatiou by long distance telephone was receiv? ed by Walker S. Utsey, acting intend? ant, last night to tne effect that the bank here wonld be robbed by four suspicious men who got aboard the evening train at Seven Mile Junction, near Charleston. An extra foree of men "was put on and about 1 o'clock the robbers came in town. They were fired npon by two of the policemen and a general fusilade followed. From evidence gathered this morn? ing two of the gang were badly hurt, but succeeded in getting away. They went towards Branchville, whereupon Uhief Mixon telegraphed the officers at that place, Bamberg and Orange burg to look out for them. - ?. i Rome, Feb. 10.-It is announced that Japan has bought the Chilian battle? ship Capitan Pratt, the cruiser Chaca buco and the gunboat Condell, fully equipped to sail at once for Nagasaki. The purchases were made before the opening of hostilities and so consti? tute no breach of neutrality. Washington, Feb. 10.-Specific in? structions have been cabled Rear Ad? miral Wise, commanding the training squadron in Dominican waters regard? ing the protection of American ship? ping interests there. Tbs firing on lighters attempting to land part of the cargo of the Clyde Line steamer New York by" a government gunboat, has aroused indignation in official circles here and it was said at the navy de? partment that the probable course of action after such an outrage would be the seizure of the government gunboat by Admiral Wise, in which event it probably would be carried to Guan? tanamo. What Are They ? Chamberlain's Stomach and Liver Tab? lets. A new remedy for stomach troubles, biliousness and constipation, and a good cue. Price 25c. For sale by China's Drug Store. ?- i II - The census bureau cotton ginners' report issued jFeb. 9, shows that 9,485,537 bales [had been ginned up to Jan. 16: Chamberlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets -Unequaled for Constipation. Mr. A. EL Kane, a prominent druggist of Baxter Sprinzs, Kansas, says: Chamber? lain's Stomach and Liver Tablets are, in my judgment, the most superior prepara? tion of anything in use today for consti? pation. They are sure in action and with no tendency to nauseate or gripe. For sale by China'? Drug Store. NOTICE Having purchased the stock and good will of the drug bue ineso of J. S. Hughson & Co, I desire to inform the patrons of this drug store and the pub? lic generally that I will con? tinue the business at the same stand with a full stock of drugs and sundries. The prescrip? tion department will be? in charge of experienced, licensed druggists, and the business will be under the management of Dr. E. Mood Smith. Respect fully. O. B. DAVIS. Jan 23-lw GUN ?ND LOCKSMITH. I tak? pleasure in giving no? tice to my friends and the pub? lic generally, that, having re? gained my health, 1 have re? opened my shop, and am ready to do any work in the line of Gens, Locks, Sewing Machines, &c. Prices reasona? ble, work done prompt y and satisfaction guaranteed. Shop removed to No. 22 West Liberty street, two cjoors from Osteen's Book Store. R. S. BRAD WELL. $100,000.00 Capital. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK of Sumter, S. C. THE Comptroller of the Currency hav? ing approved the increase of the Capital of this Rank to $100,000.00, depositors now have as security for their deposits : Capital, - - $100.000 00 Stockholders' Individual Lia? bility, ; - - '00,000 00 Surplus and Undivided Prof? its, . - - " - 25,000 00 Total Security for Depositors, $225,000 00 ONLY NATIONLA BANK Itt CITY OF SUMTER. Largest Capital of any Bank in this section of South Carolina. Strongest Bank in Eastern part of this State. Interest allowed on deposits to a limited amount. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A. J. CHINA, President. NEILL O'DONNELL, Vice President. H. D. BARNETT, R. D. LEE, G. A. LEMMON, JOHN REID, E. P. RICKER. R. L. EC MUNDS, Cashier. R. D. LEE, Solicitor. BOOKKEEPERS. J. L. McOJlutn, D. J. Winn, Jr., Oliver L. Yates. .July 30-3m 'T EXPECf THAT A HEADACHE POWDER \ WILL CURE A PAIN BACK OF THE EYES. If you are troubled with headache or poor eyes, one examination will make it clear what's wroug, and the glasses we fit you with will cure yon. Consult Dr. I. E. CRI MM, Eye Specialist Will remain in Sumter until Saturday, February 20th, positively no longer. Cross Eyes Cured by Glasses Without Cutting. Office : Hotel JacksoD, First Floor. Office hours from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. COGITATION FREE. These letters speak for themselves: Office of The Greenville Mountaineer. J ames A. Hoyt. Editor and Propr. m TT-i r ~ Greenville. S. C., Dec. 7.1901. To Whom It May Concern : I take much pleasure in stating that Dr. L E. Criiam has been in Greenville xor a number of weeks, makins two visits to this place in the last two or three months, and that he has priven entire satisfaction, so far as I know, to all per? sons who have availed themselves of his knowledge and skill as an Oculist and Optician. I am not only pleased, but benefittcd by my acquaintance 'with a gentleman who shows such manifest familiarity with the duties of his profession, and I cordially commend him to my friends elsewhere and all others who may need his service. Respectfully. James A. Hovt.-z: Office Supreme Court of South Carolina. Y. J. Pope. Chief Justice. ^ _ _ . , Newberry. S. C.. March 6.1902. Dr. L E. Grimm. Oculist and Op1 ician. Dear Sir: I ask leave to bear witness to the excellence of the pair [of eve glasses you recently prepared for me. I am sure from my own experience with your work that you understand your business. Sincerely. Y. J. Pope. Those who desire Dr. Crimm's services will kindly call at his office, as he makes no visits. CITY REFERENCES; Dr. A. J. "hina. Col. R. D. Lee. Maj. W. F. B. Haynsworth. Mr. W. M. Graham. Why not take a trip this winter through Florida to CubaP This beautiful State and Island has been brought within easy reach by the splendid through train service of the Atlantic Coast Line, the great throughfare to the tropics. Winter Tourists' Tickets are now on sale to all points in Florida and to Havana For rates, schedules, maps,- sleeping car and steamship accommodations write to W. J. CRAIG, G. P. A, Wilmington, N. C. "What to Say in Spanish and How to 8ay, It" sent to any address upon receipt of a two-cent stanrd titian tie Coast Line. Effective January 10, 1904. Passenger Trains arriving and leaving Sumter? Train 35 Florence to Augusta Arrives 5 15 am " 54 Columbia to Wilmington . " 8 05 am - " *67 Gibson to Sumter . " 9 20 air K 52 Charleston to Columbia and Greenville Leaves 9 21 am " 46 Orangeburg to Charleston (Tue8d'y,Thursd,y,Baturd,y) w 9 25 am " 53 Greenville and Columbia to Charleston M 6 15 pm w 32 Augusta to Florence u . 6 30 pm u *56 Sumter to Gibson w 6 50 pm " 47 Charleston to Orangeburg (Tueed'y, Thursd'y, Saturd'y) u 8 15 pm " 55 Wilmington to Columbia , .** 9 25 pm u *43 Florence to Sumter, Arrives 9 15 am Freight Trains carrying'Passengers. Train *19 Sumter to Robbins, Leaves 3 40 am " *24 Sumter to Hartsville " 10 00 am " *11 Florence to Sumter Arrives 1 40 pir " *12 Sumter to Florence Leaves 3 10 pm " *25 Hartsville to Sumter JArrives 7 40 pm " *20 Robbins to Sumter " 8 00 pm Northwestern Railway. Train *70 Camdan to Sumter Arrives 9 00 am " *71 Sumter to Camden Leaves 9 36 am " *68 Camden to Sumter " 5 45 pm " *72 Wilson Mill to Sumter [Arrives 12 30 pm " *73 Sumter to WilsbnMill Leaves 3 30 pm " 76 Wilson Mill to Sumter, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Arrives 9 00 pm " 77 Sumter to Wilson Mill, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Leaves 4 50 pm " *69 Sumter to Camden " 6 25 pm Trains marked * daily except Sunday ; all other trains daily. For further information, apply to J. T. "CHINA, Ticket Agent A. C. L. SOUTHERN RAILWAY Effective Nov. 29, 1903. Read down . Read up No 142 No 140 No 141 No 143 2 15 pm 7 00 am 'Lv Sumter Ar 9 15 am 5 45 pzn ll 40 am Ar Charleston Lv 3 20 am 7 10 au 11 40 am Ar Columbia Lv 7 20 am 12 30 pm Ar " Augusta Lv 6 55 am 6 10 am 8 15 pm Ar Atlanta Lv ll 45 pm 11 45 am 5 33 am Ar Birmingham Lv 4 10 p^ 8 30 pm ll 10 am Ar New Orleans Lv 9 20 am 12 35 am 3 10 pm Ar Spartanburg Lv 10 35 am 1 30 am 4 25 pm Ar Greenville Lv 9 40 anr 7 15 pm Ar Asheville Lv 7 05 am 8 15 pm Ar Louisville Lv 7 40 am 7 30 pm Ar Cincinnati Lv 8 30 au; 6 00 pm Ar Camden Lv 2 00 pm 8 35 pm Ar Rock Hill Lv 9 25 an: 9 40 am Ar Charlotte Lv 8 10 am 9 45 am Ar Washington Lv 9 50 pi* 4 15 pm Ar New York Lv 3 25 pri: Trains 142 and 143 make close connection at Sumter Junction with 117 going Nor--* via Camden and Rook Hill. Trs?ne 40 and 41 make close connection at Kingv?Ue for Columbia and at Coh>r*. bia with solid Pullman trains composed of elegant Dining Cars, Pullman Compa. N ment, Club Library, Observation and Drawing-room Sleeping Cars to and from Flor da points. For full information or reservations apply to any agent or address S. H. Hardwick, C. H. Ackart, General Passenger Agent, JJ. R. Clack, General Manager, Washington, D. C. Agect, Washington, D. (X W. H. Tay loe, . Sumter, 8. C. B. W. Hunt, Assistant Gen. Pass. Agent, Division Passenger Agen* AtUnt?, Ga, Charleston, 8. C.