Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HE SENATOR FAILED TO PRODUCE THE PROOF te rilan Hide a Speed Befere tte Ssaaitte, Vented Speller's Beek m PROCEEDED TO "RANT" Tte Som Total of Nothing Was the Besnlt of Senator Tillman's Testi? mony on Dispensary Corruption. Trom The State. - After the conclusion of the hearing :?f the "evidence" of Senator B. R. /Tillman before the dispensary inves? tigating' committee yesterday, the members of the dispensary board were .congratulated by their friends on account of the lack of results from uie -visit of this witness. For Senator ^Kilman made no direct charges against any member of the board. While Senator Tillman mader charges 3n general terms throughout the State last summer in his speeches, there ?were never any specific accusations. >The committee of investigation re? ceived messages from Senator, Tillman In which he stated that he would like to appear before them. It was thought that when he did appear for xnaliy Senator Tillman would" make ^goodu'* He gave the committee some good advice yesterday, but even that was almost gratuitous, for the com mitte has been working on the lines recommended. In The State of last Saturday there appeared an interview in which Sen? ator Tillman said: "The enemies of the dispensary, who for years have -controlled the State, have been put? ting men in charge of it who have mismanaged it, stolen from it, brought it into bad repute." The committee lias been trying to find somebody who liad stolen from the State dispensary ?nd thought this would be a good time to invite Senator Tillman here. Senator Tillman came and failed to -specify. The committee was invited yester? day to hold the examination of Sen? ator Tillman in the hall of the house of representatives. Mr. Lyon object? ed seriously, and the ground of his ^objection was proved a good one by -subsequent events. . He thought that "the sessions of the committee could ce conducted with more decorum in tne committee room. However, the majority of the committee thought the .wish of the house of representatives should be regarded. Senator Tillman arrived in the house of representatives at 4 p. m., and there "was some time lost in arranging a place for the committee and stenog? raphers to sit. Finally Senator Till? man decided to take his post up on top of the speaker's desk where he could see and be seen. He declared incidentally that this was another of ?b record-breaking feats and when he lhad succeeded the audience applaud? ed his great achievement of mounting fte box, where he remained seated throughout the session of the commit? tee. He was practically enthroned ?and was almost out of reach of the incisive thrusts of lawyers. When Senator Tiilman had taken Ids place, Mr. Lyon practically washed Isis hands of the spectacular part of "the performance by asking a few di? rect Questions to which he received answers which really should have put' an end to the matter, for the senator's .answer to the very first question ?bowed that li? could not substantiate - "tte charges he has been making. "However, he went on in a speech, -which some in the audience denomi? nated as a "stump speech," to give his ?pinions. There was nothing new in these, practically a repetition of his campaign speech at Marion last sum? mer just before the dispensary was -voted out of that county. In the course of his remarks Sena? tor Tillman scolded the committee for zaot going down into the private affairs d men who had got rich by the dis ^pensary, but he would not give any names of parties to whom he was re? ferring and thus aid the committee. *Che value of Senator Tillman's infor? mation was very little; his advice may "nave been worth something; the moral effect of such a melodramatic per? formance will not be ol' much service "lo the committee in the further pros? ecution of its work. p Senator Tillman's talk was enter? taining, and there was a packed gal? lery which frequently applauded, es? pecially when he would get off some of his sarcasm-in lieu of answers to questions from the lawyers, Messrs. Bellinger & Welsh, representing Messrs. Towill and Boykin. Boiled down to its essence, the ?peech of Senator Tiilman inveighed against the investigating committee for .not going directly at the members of -fte State board. He himself declined to assert his belief in their honesty and exhibited as his reason a copy of the terms on which the dispensary board asks for bids. He declared that it failed to secure competitive bidding and was therefore a violation of the oath of office of these men. He then went on to tell how he had bought, now he had run the dispensary, how lie had financed, how he had managed, and described his visit to Cincinnati and Pittsburg and his dealings with Subbell. He admitted that many peo ?pie had believed that he had received rebates from Hubbell, but denied j strenuously that such was the case and charged that those who believed it but measured himself by their own yard stick. Hubbell had given him the oppor? tunity to start the dispensary by sell? ing to the State on credit. So when it came to the rebates on the first ship? ment (a matter of 7 cents a gallon on the cologne spirits used to rectify), he told Hubbell that the latter could use that money himself as the State of South Carolina was grateful to him for j assisting to start the dispensary by j j permitting it to buy on credit. Mr. Bellinger and Mr. Welsh asked the witness some very direct questions along this line and had the witness been in the Supreme court room where he could not have made any lengthy speeches every time a question was asked, they might have tangled him up, but he indulged in argument with the attorneys-and it is well known that Senator Tillman can argue. He admitted that the charges he ha? made are that there are no competi 'tiye bids and he had admitted none when he bought from Hubbell; and as to the charge of excessive amount of stock on hand, Mr. Welsh asked him some eye-opening questions in regard to the dispensary working off "hard stock" in the last two years, stuff handed down to this administration. The whole affair was very much en? joyed as a. regular, campaign meeting | in the summer time. I Tillman and Evans. As Senator Tillman was walking out of the hall he met Chairman H. H. Evans. They shook hands and Mr. Evans pleasantly suggested that folks had been lying on him. Senator Till? man laughingly said that folks will talk, whereupon the chairman of the State board said ftiat anyone who said he stole any money or was a thief was all sorts of something unprintable. Senator Tillman said that was right and to "cuss out" the fellows who said anything about him. Tt all seemed good natured and pleasant, but rather spicy language was used. The Evidence. Ey Mr. Lyon: Q. Have you any in? formation in regard to any graft, re? bate, or improper dealing on the part of any dispensary official or any rec? ord about the dispensary? Senator Tillman-Before I answer any question, I would like to know ?f T am to answer the questions pro? pounding according to the strict rules of evidence or am I to be allowed tho latitude to make my.: ., clearly under? stood. Chairman Hay-State it in your oWn way.j Mr. Lyon-That is perfectly satis? factory to us. Can you give us an in? stance where any dispensary official received any rebate or graft or any money in any improper way? . Senator Tillman-In order to be ible to have myself set aright and have the committee understand just what I know and what I don't know and what I believe upon very strong evidence, I will have to answer that question in my own way. Chairman Hay-Go* ahead, sir. - Senator Tillman-As to knowing specifically of any instance of my own knowledge that any such thing has occurred I answer* no^ And as for the reasons which have influenced me in interviews and in speeches in saying what I ?ave said. I will give the foun? dation for my opinion. The first thing to which I direct your attention-I had these papers (Senator Tillman ex? hibits a printed sheet), I had these papers sent here from the State dis? pensary, having telegraphed to have them in my reach. Mr. Lyon: Inasmuch as the senator has answered the question so far as nis own knowledge is concerned in the negative. I have one other question which I conceive desirable to put to the senator and I will be through with him. While you were in charge of the dispensary did you receive any money, rebates, graft or in any im? proper way from the Mill Creek Dis? tilling Company. A. I did not. Q. Did you receive it from any source? A. Xo. Three carloads of machinery for the Mutual ice factory have been received and two more aro on the way. The frame work of the factory building has been put up und if the weather does not continue to interfere with the progress pf the work the building will be completed in a short time. Unless some unforseen accident or delay oc currs the peoples' cheap icc: factory will be making ice before April 1. 121 YEAHS OLD. Richard Green, the Oldest Man in thc State. Celebrates Another Birth? day. From The Dai;y Item February 15. Richard Green, the old colored man of this citv, who claims to have beer born in Charleston, on February 15 1785, reached bis 121st birthday to? day, ne is still able to BO about, although complaining of being sick just at this time, but was able to cel? ebrate hu birthday by making a visit to The Daily Item office to have his badge changed from 120 to 121 years old. CITY COUNCIL MEETING. The Commissioners of Public Works Make Their First Monthly Report. Council held a regular meeting at 8 o'clock Wednesday night. Present: Mayor' Geo. W. Dick, Al? dermen H. D. Earnett, P. P. Finn, R. F. Haynsworth, C. G. Rowland, W. G. Stubbs and R. K. Wilder. Absent: Aledrmen H. W. Hood and E. W. Hurst. Messrs. J. R. Ligon and D. R. Mc? callum appeared to protest against the license tax of $25 per annum on "Real Estate Agents, Collecting and Selling," claiming that the same is high and discriminates against them. The request was considered and action deferred to next meeting. Z. E. Walker requested the privil? ege of building an addition, covered with corrogated iron, to a wooden office on Main street, within the fire limits, which addition he asserted would not increase the fire risk. Coun? cil declined to grant the privilege, as it would be a clear violation of the let? ter and spirit of the ordinance regulat? ing buildings within the fifire limits.. The minutes of January 24th were j read and approved. A letter was read from the Sumter Iron Works directing attention to the necessity of under ground drainage on j Oakland avenue from Sumter to Washington street, as a sanitary meas? ure. Same was referred to the sani? tary committee to investigate and re" port A request from the Civic League of j Sumter for the adoption of an anti spitting ordinance and an ordinance to prevent the accumulation of trash and papers in the rear lots ol stores, was also referred to the committee on sanitation. j Report was made by the commis? sioners of publie works for the month of January, showing amounts collect? ed and expended by them. And re? questing council to authorize them to borrow money as may be necessary for operating expenses until the end of the present quarter, when rents are collectable. The report was received as information and the commissioners were authorised to borrow so much money as they find necessary. A petition from pastors and officials of colored churches of the city, ask? ing that some law be adopted" to pre? vent minors from patronizing pool rooms and billiard rooms was refer? red to the police committee. Written acceptance of terms of the lease of the opera house as made by council on January 10th was received from Mr. Abe Ryttenberg. A letter was received from Taylor & Dean, manufacturers, explaining their delay in filling order for lire es? cape to the opera house, and promis? ing that they would ship the escape about February 15. The cierk reported that compara? tively few persons are paying licenses which have been due since January 1, and he was directed to receive the license without penalty until Ma: ch 1, after which time to take the pre? scribed measures to enforce payment with 20 per cent penalty. Mr Wilder reported that the plas? tering in the opera house needs re? pairing, and that the means for reach? ing the city clock should be made more convenient. His committee was authorized to have the work done. Mr. Haynsworth, for committee of public works, reported that material had been ordered for bridges on Sa? lem avenue and Wright street, but in consequence of bad weather very lit? tle work has been done on streets for the past two or three weeks. He also reported that the lights ordered at Bartlette and Sumter streets and Bart" lette and Washington streets had been erected. The finance committee reported that they had carefully considered the claim of Dr. Walter Cheyne for dam? ages to his automobile and while they greatly regret the accident and the damage sustained; yet they are of the opinion that the city should not be held responsible under the circum? stances, and therefore, are constrained to advise against payment as it would be a costly precedent to establish. The report was adopted. Mayor Dick stated that complaint had been made to him that the Atlan? tic Coast Line Railroad Company has blocked travel on .Mary street, by a track they are building across that street, and suggested that something should be done to ascertain and pro? tect public rights. A committee con? sisting of the mayor and Aldermen Wilder and Haynsworth was appoint? ed to investigate the matter, and they were authorized to employ an attor? ney if necessary. On motion of Mr. Finn a cement sidewalk on both sides of Mam street from Dugan to Bartlette street, pro? vided property owners will bear one half the cost; or to build as far as owners would go. if a less distance. Mr. Finn proposed an increase of pay to police officers for three months, in view ,,f the increased oust . ?f liv "? but there was no second to his r?s? out ion. * The clerk presented his report for January and a statement of insurance carried by the city which were refer? red to the finance committee, together with the following claims: Durant Hardware Co.$ 2 15 Sumter Clothing Co. 39 S5 Epperson Feed and Coal Co... 49 98 W. B. Boyle. 3 35 Schwartzz Bros. 81 60 O'Donnell & Co. 15 00 Booth Live Stock Co. 5 00 W. B. Burns. 9 25 Council then adjourned. The following is the report of the Commissioners of Public Works re? ferred to above: Total amount water reni> col? lected.'... . .$552 06 Expended. Insurance (5 yrs)....$191 50 Wood and coal., 266 95 Services W. D. Smith.. 15 00 Ser. W. W. McKagen.. 28 00 Freight... 9 02 Labor. 465 Incidental expenses .. 3 00 51S11 Bal. on hand Feb. 1.$ 33 95 The commission began ils work without money or resources, except $960 rents due the old company. Theit will be practically no income until the expiration of the first quarter on April 1. Meanwhile current expenses will have to be paid, and I would ask the council to authorizze the commission? ers to borrow such amount as may be needed until that time. Very respect? fully, C. M.- Hurst, Sec'y. REAL ESTATE WANTED. A Xew Yorker Desires to Invest in in? come Producing Land. Mr. T. M. Murphy, of Xo. 43 West 32nd street. Xew York City, writes to the secretary of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce that he would like to make a small investment in farm land which will bring in from one to two thousand dollars net income. Mr. Murphy says he does not care to in? vest "unless a bargain is submitted and returns positive." Any person having property to sell may corres? pond direct with Mr. Murphy as the Chamber of Commerce is not in the real estate business. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS. Arrangements Made for thc Municipal Primary-Mass Meeting to Bc Held. The City Democratic Executive com? mittee met in the* office of the city cierk Thursday afternoon purscar: to the call of Secretary L. I. Parrott with the following members present: L. I. Parrott, Edgar Skinner, J. W. Mc Kiever, Marion Moise, E. C. Hayns? worth and C. M. Hurst. Mr. E. C. Haynsworth was elected chairman to succeed the late Alta? mont Moses and Mr. H. A. Moses was elected secretary. It was decided to hold the municipal primary on March 27 and if a second primary should be necessary it will be held on April 3. The rules and regulations govern? ing the primary in former years were adopted without change. Messrs. W. A. Brown, J. S. Richard? son and J. B. Raffield were appointed managers of the primary. It was decided to call a mass meet? ing on the night of March 23 for the purpose of having the candidates dis? cuss the issues of the campaign. Itching Piles. ?If you are acquainted with anyone who is troubled with this distressing ailment you can do him no greater fa? vor than to tell h?r.i to try Chamber? lain's Salve. It gives instant relief. Price 25 cents per box. Sold by all druggists. It is estimated that the squadron left at least $75^000 in Charleston on the occasion of its recent visit to that city. The Yellow Feyer Germ Has recently been discovered. It bears a close resemblance of the ma aria germ. To free the system from iisease germs, the most effective rem? it ?dy is Dr. King's Xew Life Pills. Tuaranteed to cure all diseases due to nalaria poison and constipation. 25c it all druggists. Nature's Warning Sumter People Must Recognize and Heed It. Kidney ills come quiet!*;-ray*terion?ly, But mature alway * warns j ou through the urine. Notice 'he kidney secretions. See if the color is unhealthy - If lhere are settlings and fedircent. Passages too freqnem, scanty, painful. H's time ihsnTo use Boat,'s Kidn< y Pills, To ward off Britjnrs disease or diabetes. Doan's have do.ir jrreat worfc in Sumter Elias 1 ludid ns. gardener and farmer, well known in Sumter and vicinity. s;iys: "[ suf? fered fur eight or ten \\ars fron, lumbago in my back so bad that I could not get ?nu of bedattimes. There was no strength in my Dack and ii ached constantly. '.Vin n I mov? ed around a kiniv would strike me rijrht across the small of my tack just like someone sticking a knife into it. The secretions from the kidneys wen'dark colored, smelled st ron?; and contained a sediment besides causing me to get up several times during the night. I could not begin to tell you the number of remedies I used but nothing did me much ?rood until I procured Doan's Kidney Pills al Dr. A. J. China's drug store. The first few doses helped nu- ami since taking thc remedy I have not lind any trouble with my kidneys and the pains disappeared from my back. Vou arc weicome to the use of my name as one who can endorse what is claimed for this remedy." For sale by all dealers. Price 50 cents. Fostcr-Milburn Co.. Buffalo, N. Y.. sole agents for the United States. Remember the name-Doan's-and take no other. 31 MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Henry Smith Tried and Convicted on Three Charges. From The Daily Item February 15. Henry Smith, a burley negro who has been working on Mr. H. T. Edens' place, a few miles from town, was brought before Magistrate Harby this morning on three serious charges. He was accused of beating his wife, Louisa Smith, and his step-son Jesse Mack in a cruel and inhuman man? ner, and two cases of assault and bat? tery of a high and aggravted nature were made out against him. The sentence in each case was a fine of $75 or 30 days on the chain gang. The third charge was carrying a pistol of unlawful size and weight. This charge was also proven and he was sentenced to pay a fine of $50 or serve 20 days on the chain gang. He took, the days and Supervisor Scale has a road builder for SO days. Yesterday the case of Ffierson Wil? son vs. Calvin Pollard, ejectment pro? ceedings. The facts in the case were j that Wilson had entered into an i ! agreement to sell a tract of land to j I Pollard on eight years' time. Pollard I ? has been in possession of the land five | j years and has made no payments on i ; the purchase money. Wilson appeal- j j ed to the court to have Pollard eject- j j ed. Pollard set up the claim that he I j was to pay the entire amount at the ! j expiration of eight years if he so j elected and that he could not be dis- j j possessed until he defaulted. Magis- | ! trate Harby heard ail the testimony, i i but before he rendered his decision : ? the litigants reached an agreement ; 1 and the case was settled by compro- j mise. *Just a little Kodol after meals will j .elieve that fullness, belching, gas on i stomach, and all other symptoms of j indigestion. Kodol digests what you ! ea*, and enables the stomach and di- i gestive organs to perform their func- j ions naturally. All druggists. ? Gas in the Stomach. .Belching and that sense of fullness; so often experienced after eating is* caused by the formation of gas. The stomach fails to perform its functions and the food ferments. Chamberlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets will cor? rect the disorder. They aid digesti?n? and strengthen and invigorate the stomach and bowels. For sale by alE ., druggists. Lame Back. ?This ailment is usually caused by* heumatism of the muscles and may >e cured by applying Chamberlain's Pain Palm two or three times a day .nd rubbing the parts vigorously at each application. If this does not af? ford relief, bind on a piece of flannel lightly dampened with Pain Balm, nd quick relief is almost sure to fol ow. For sale by all druggists. The squadron has left Charleston,, for the South.- . A Card. *This is to certify that all druggists are authorized to refund your money if Foley's Honey and Tar fails to cure your cough or cold. ' It stops the cough, heals the lungs and prevents serious results from a cold. Cures la grippe cough and prevents pneumonia and consumption. Contains no opiates. The genuine is in a yellow package. Refuse substitutes.- Durant's Phar? macy. * Mun iiiiii.i i ii i i i jijwmix-n-a-? FlECSLKi ??iii PIMPLES REMOVED lu Ten Bays. Tho Cs-ipission. J}$?.T?i:Ci?T is en dorjed hy thousands cf grateful ladies, and {.'uara.-i ?cc to remove: all facial discolors ucruS and restore the beauty of youth. The worst cases in twenty days. 50c. and $1.00 at ali leading dru* stores, or by mail. Prepared by NATIONAL TOILET CO., Paris, Tenn. V ? niion Preparation for your next crop is in order and before pur- - chasing your wants in our line, we ask you to call and inspect our line of Hardware. We carry everything in the line, such os Plows, Plow Stocks. Single-trees, Back Bands, Steel Shapes, Trace Chains, Harness, I Horse Collars, Hoes, Forks, Shovels, Spades. A lar^e line of bes* quality Poultry Netting. Our { prices wili re the lowest, quality of goods considered This is a new firm with absolutely new goods, but we have had lots.of experience. We believe we can make it to your interest i o see j us before you buy. Call on us, for we want to talk business with you. i arolina Hardware Company Horses arid Mules All sizes and prices for cash or approved paper. Buggies, Wagons ? Harness Asrent for DEERING HARVESTING MACHINERY and Repair Parts in abundance. Disc Harrows, Disc Cultivators, Stalk Cutters, Peg Tooth Harrows, Binders, Mowers, Rakes, &c. Agent for JOHNSTON HARVESTING MACHINERY and Repair Parts in abundance. * 6, 8, and 9 South Harvin Street. Iii Hore Horses and Mules and Better -=-Horses and Muies.== Two carfully selected carloads just in. They are right, the >, price is right and they need selling badly. A full line of Buggies, Wagons and Harness always on hand. I sell the celebrated MILBURN WAGON. ? Respectfully, A. D. HARBY..