Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

llir M'MTKIl WATCHMAN, BatabU oi! oMdated Au?. 2,188 Published Uf-dnenday und Saturday ?BT? OSTEEN PUBLISHING COMPANY SUMTER, S. C. Terms: SI ?0 per annum?In advance. liUcrtlsomenta: One Square tirst Insertion.$1.00 Every subsequent Insertion.SO Contracts (or three months, or longer will be made at reduced rates. All communications which sub? serve private interests will be charged for s? advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respects wHi be charged for. -II So<,it VI'IIIKs i<> MI? i Annual Convention Will he Held In Spartanburg. The second annual convention of the Palmetto State Stenographers' Association will be held at Spartan? burg, Aug. 16-lSth In the auditorium of the Spartanburg Business College. There will be many Interesting fea? tures of the programme, among them an historical address of shorthand la South Carolina by Hon. Claude E. Sawyer, of Alken, and other promi? nent speakers who are now or were In the past shorthand writers. The convention at this time will en? able the stenographers to take advan? tage of the summer rates on the rail? roads and attend the convention at very little cost. No special hotel has boon selected as yet for lodging head? quarters, but those attending need not worry about having an opportu? nity of meeting the members and guests of the convention There will also be held during the convention the annual typewriting contest, which it is the purpose of the Association to hold each year at their annual conventions. Many expert operators on the machine have al? ready enrolled for this contest, and It Is expected that there are yet more to enter. This In itself will repay anyone attending the meeting. The Judges are all experienced shorthand aad typewriting teachers, who are well known si' over the State. The aosamlftee tn charge of this part of the proceedings is endeavoring to perfect arrangements with the vari? ous typewriter companies whereby a new machine of whatever make de? sired by the operator winning in the contest will be given as the prize. However, If this arrangement cannot be perfected, a trophy cup or suit? able medal will be given to the win? ner. All operators desiring to enter this contest should enroll as soon as possible. There will also be several social features, which will be announced during the meetings. Those who can attend, or who wish any information concerning the meet? ings, will please communlcste with either E. A. Brown, Barnwell, Qeo. J. L. Mets. Charleston, or L. E. Wood, Sumter. It Is hoped that as many as possible will attend as there Is every reason to believe that the meeting will prove both Interesting and profitable. \TTKMPT TO ROB C'Ot'RT ROOM. Sensation OeatiMl During Illinois Al? leged Rrlbery Trial. Cav..^go. May 26.-?A sensational turn was given the Lee O'Neill Browne alleged bribery trial here late today, when It became known that a burglarious attempt was made during the noon recess to enter Judge ? McSurely's court room in the criminal " court building. A lock on the main door had been Jammed so badly th it It was necessary to remove It before the door could be opened. Whoever attempted to secure access to Impor? tant papers by breaking Into the court room had apparently been frightened away by attaches of the building. All the court officers were at lunch when the attempt was made. When he was Informed of the matter, State s Attorney Wayman said that he does not take the alleged confessions made by Representatives R. J. C. Beekmey er and Mich** I S. I Ink, the contents 'of which have been kept a close se? cret, to court with him. Against the objections of State s Attorney W*vmnn, Attorney Forest, for tbe defence, this iifernoon secur ed a continuance of the hearing until 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. At tome, t said be desired time to look up Federal authorities regarding the rejection of Fnited St ites Sena tori and Congressmen. The *e? ond dale e of the season by the Hummer l?an< . Club was given on Tuesday night at tbe armory. Tbe attendance was very good, there be In* ftWlsl I I * tfctrt] couples present. shed April, t85<>. 'Be Just an i._n fiEARDON-JENnlNGS UTTERS. MAYOR AM) HEALTH OFFICKR WRITS TO BACH OTHER. Tlu? Correspondence Between These Two OsMati Has Been Talked of a (.rent lk*al, and Was Mudc a Part Of the Minutes of Council. From The Daily, May 20. The mayor presented a letter from Mr. E. 1. Reardon, health officer, in reference to the recent election of a Board of Health, and also his (the Mayor's) reply thereto, both of which were read and made a part of the minutes as follows: Hon. L. D. Jennings, Mayor, City of Sumter, S. C. Dear Sir:?A great many citizens of Sumter, Democrats and friends mine have approached me in reg . d to the appointment of the new city Board of Health, which a number of citizens, myself included, candidly be? lieve, was appointed purposely with a view to removing me as Secretary and Health Officer, or was at least, manipulated possibly without any knowledge on your part, with that end in view. Believing as we do, that under a Democratic form of government city offices should be filled by the officers best qualified, and that efficiency and devotion to duty should be the stand? ard In selecting In all city officials, without favor or partiality, and be? lieving, myself that I will not get a square deal under the new board, for reasons well known to a great many of my friends, and feeling that at least some of the new Board of Health are willing to take their chances before the Democratic voters, as I am for Health Officer, it has been suggested that you as Mayor, hold up the qualifying of the new board and that the City Democratic Executive Committee be requested to hold a primary for election of mem? bers of the Board of Health, and Health Officer, you and your Board of Aldermen to appoint as members of the new board those selected by the Democratic voters, and the Board of Health so chosen by the Democrat? ic voters to elect the candidate re? ceiving the highest number of votes in the primary election as Health Of? ficer. It Is clearly evident from the ac? tions of a number of Democrats who have talked with me that the citizens of Sumter feel that they have some interest and rights in the affairs of the city government, and that there are many good Democrats who be? lieve that under the circumstances you should give the voters an oppor? tunity of registering their approval or disapproval of the new Board of Health as appointed by you. Furthermore, I candidly l>elieve that there are some members of your City Council who had they known what I have told them since the ap? pointment of the new board that thes3 aldermen would have manifested a greater Interest in the ratification of the appointment of some of the new l-oard. I respectfully submit that I have the endorsement of the present city Board of Health which re-elect? ed me last September over thirty seven competitors, and I am reliably informed in response to a demand ii 'Mi a majority of the citizens of Sumter. I have reasons to believe, now, frosfl expressions of opinion by number of the leading citizens of Sumter that I am still the choice of a majority of the citizens, and I am willing to give these Democratic vot? ers an opportunity to say whom they wish for their Health officer, and to ai-uh- the decision of my fellow citi? zens. I think as do all fair minded citi? zens that as long as faithfully dis? charge the duties of my office and continue to conduct myself as an of BoSf and a gentleman, that I have sqnaj right to bS ? candidate for this DfltcSi and if proven to be the best qualified man for the Job that I am entitled to continuance In office irre? spective of any personal animosity, 01 political ill will entertained against me by any member of the Hoard of Health, or any one else. This Is a fair proposition and sure 1. in. in in who desires a place on the id of Health, or who desires th< position of Health officer Is willing, or should l>e, ns I am, to allow the Democratic roten to endorse him or take his defeat at their hands like a man. In any event, there being a sus pl? Ion on the part of many that there is a plan on foot to do an Injustice to me bscaUSS Of personal animosity, and believing that the machinery of the municipal government should nol he used, even without the knowledge of City Council for unfair and unjust political ends. It seerns to me that no d Fear not-*-Let all the ends Thou Aln JMTER. S. C, SATTJ member of the new Board of Hoalth, nor any member of City Council car afford to object to this proposal com- j ing from a city official and the vot erg. I make no charge that any mem? ber of the City Council has knowing? ly lent a hard towards bringing about , this condition cf affairs as charged by me. Yours truly, (Signed) E. I. REARDON. Sumter, S. C, May 12, 1910. Mr. E. I. Reardjn, City. Dear Sir:?I received your unex? pected communication and read the same with great surprise. If you will refer to Volune One of the Statutes of 1902, Section 1097, you will see that I have strictly con? formed with the law in nominating this Board of Health. My recollec? tion is, that you suggested to me sometime ago, that before I appoint? ed the new Board of Health, that you would like to have a talk with me and make some suggestions in ref? erence to the appointments. I told you that when I felt that I needed any suggestions, I would call upon you. Up to the present time, I have not felt that I needed any from you or any one else, and I have not call? ed for any from any one. Referring to that part of your let? ter, which is as follows: "A great many citizens of Sumter, Democrats and friends of mine, hav* approached me with regard to the appointment of the new city Board of Health, which a number of citizens, myself Included, candidly believe, was appointed purposely with a view to removing me as Secretary and Health Officer, or, was at least, ma? nipulated, possibly without any knov/ledge on your part, with that end in view." I would say that It Is absolutely im? material what the citizens you refer to think, or you either, and the sug? gestion that there was any manipu? lation whatever to compass your de? feat as Health Officer, is treated with the contempt it deserves, but, I will say, that the thought of defeating you as Health Officer never crossed my mind, and to each of the gentle? men who were appointed, when ap? proached to serve, your defeat as Health Officer was not suggested nor mentioned, and so far as I know, they never thought of any such thing, and I can speak for myself, and say, that such an idea never crossed my mind. In making the appointments, of this Board of Health I tried to select gentlemen, who, I thought would cer? tainly look out for the health and in? terest of the city, and consider that, at least, above one man, who wished to remain Health Officer, and I now, think that the Board of Health cer? tainly consists of more than the Health Officer, and I, at least, think, that the board elected by City Coun- j cil without a dissenting voice, consist? ing of five gentlemen, equally as com? petent as any other five that could possibly have been selected to con? stitute the Board of Health, and I know these five gentlemen to be of the highest character, and I do not believe there is any one else unless it be you, who would think for a mo? ment, that any one could not get a square deal with them. 1 have strlctl} complied with the law in making these nominations, and made them absolutely on my own re? sponsibility, without even consulting you, and under no circumstances will I for a moment hold up the qualifying of this board, and request the City Democratic: Executive Committee to hold a primary for the election of a Board of Health or Health Officer either. I feel sure that the city will get better results when its affairs are administered from a business stand? point, unmixed with politics and ac? cording to law, and I am satisfied if you would devote that part of your time in attending to the duties de? volved upon you as Health Officer, that you are seeking wfthout solicita? tion to dovots to my duties as Mayor, that the city will get better results, and I will be less annoyed. I consider your communication, not only an insult to me, but an insult to those gentlemen who have been elect? ed on the Board of Health, and, in? directly, fin insult to the City Council, and I shall lay your communication both before the City Council at its next meeting, and before the Board of Health when organised, It seem? to mc, that you have unduly magni? fied your Importance, but I have no hesitancy in saying, in my opinion, you are as competent an Health Offi? cer as could be found anywhere, but competency, counts for nothing un? less it Is put Into practice, Referring to the new hoard giving you a "square deal," il you mean that they will require you to put your knowledge into practice, and that this would not constitute a square deal, is't at be thy Country'3, Thy God's aii RDAY. MaY 28, 191 BROOK OFFERS EXPLANATIONS. ACCUSED WAS PRINCIPAL. WIT? NESS AT YESTERDAY'S SES? SION. Denies Having Taken Lieut. Caba niss' Original Expanse Account from Gen. Boyd's Private Drawer, as Testified to by Mrs. Moody? Explains that "Hotel Rill" Includ? ed Other Items. Columbia, May 26.??Jol. W. T. Brock contradicted this afternoon the testimony of Mrs. V. G. Moody, that he had entered a private drawer of Adjt. Gen. Boyd and taken therefrom Lieut. Gabiniss' original expense ac? count. "I cannot recall having taken the paper from the drawer," said Col. Brock. "In fact I am positive that I did not. I certainly could not have had any use for it. If I had wanted to steal the paper I certainly would not have done so in the presence of Mrs. Moody or anyone else." The con? tradiction of the statement of Mrs. Moody by Col Brock was the feature of Col, Brock's testimony. He was on the stand during the morning and afternoon for the greater part of the session of the Court today. There has been general speculation as to what explanation Col. Brock would offer of the charges brought by Gen. Boyd as to the expense items alleged to have been extravagant and "padded," and the alleged discrepancies. In brief Col. Brock's explanations as given today on the stand are: That he meant by "hotel bill' not only the actual expense of eating and sleep? ing, but also incidentals such as laun? dry, shining of boots and leggings, tips and the like; that in the hotel bills he not onl/ charged up the ac? tual expenses incidental to that spe? cial trip, that Is to include, dinner on the train, breakfast at a station, or the like, that he often took a longer route than did Lieut. Cabanlss, thus using more mileage, that he did nof consider it extravagance to "treat" officers of the Nacional Guard, be? cause he had accepted their courtes? ies, although he did not recall having had them as guests many times. MR. McMASTER HERE. He Does Not Say So, But He's Look? ing Into That Bond Matter. From The Daily, May 26. Insurance Commissioner F. H. Mc Master of Columbia, is in the city to? day. He does not state what his busi? ness is, that is to thq reporter, but it is a safe bet that he is looking into the Edens bond matter. Mr. McMas ter is one of the most efficient officers in the State, and has saved the tax? payers thousands of dollars. He knows his business, and has the back? bone and courage to perform his du? ties without fear or favor. His re? port, on the Edens matter is looked forward to with a great deal of in? terest by Sumter people. It seems to go mighty awkward with Colonel Bryan to decline. then I am satisfied you will not get one. In making these nominations, 1 never considered for a moment whether I was nominating special friends of the Health Cdlicer or not, nor did I entertain the slightest thought of nominating any one t\ ho was not a friend of the Health Offi? cer, but 1 was looking solely to the interest and welfare of the city, and not the welfare of the Health Officer or any other individual. In other words, any knowledge that I might have had of their attitude towards you, one way or the other, would not have had a feather's weight in my selection of them. When you ap? proached me, suggesting that I should consult with you before making these appointments, 1 at once reached the conclusion that it was your purpose not only to be the Health Officer, but Indirectly, to be the Board of Health in addition; as, of course, the Board of Health seems to be secondary to that of Health Officer in your esti? mation. In conclusion, I would iike to call your attention to the story of the fifteen hundred dollar man. This was a man who made five hundred dollars In attending to his own business, and one thousand dollars by Utting the business of other people alone. I trust that yon will follow his ex? ample in the future and that you will do as well, and then 1 am satis lied you would not Imagine impure motives In Other people's actions, and I will further remind you of tin axiom: "Evil to him who evil thlnketh,' and of the further axiom, ' The wick? ed dee when no man pursueth." Respectfully, L. l). JENNINGS. tod Truth's.' TO IMPROVE COUN ROADS. Marlon Commission Will Profit by Experience of Expert. Marion, May 25.?The good roads commission met here Monday after? noon, every member being present. Under an act proposed by the Marion chamber of commerce, framed by the Marion delegation and passed at the last meeting of the general assembly, thi3 county was authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $100,000 to be expended in improving the public roads of the county. Reaves township having already voted a special tax for this purpose, it was decided by the commission yesterday to apply the funds already collected from this tax to the roads in Reaves township. Through the ef? forts of Congressman Ellerbe, a gov? ernment expert has been secured and is expected to arrive here at an early date to give an object lesson In road building. The county chaingang will be placed at his disposal, and the county supervisor will be on hand to learn what he can about scientific road building. The county has been peculiarly for? tunate In getting the following to serve on the commission: J. D. Mont? gomery, chairman and treasurer; W. F. Stackhouse, M. T. Baker, Horace Tilghman., Dr. French Smith. L. D. Lide has been chosen secretary. DECORATE FOR TOURNAMENT. The Stores in Sumter Will be Things Of Beauty Then. Sumter can always be depended up? on to do her part. Some were won? dering if the stores would decorate for the tournament, as if the stores do not decorate for all occasions. Sum? ter will have some of the prettiest windows during the tournament ever seen in this city. Here is th? evi? dence: To the Merchants of the City of Sum? ter: Gentlemen:?The Firemen's Tour? nament to be held in our city on June 21st to 23rd will unquestionably bring large crowds, and strangers to Sum? ter from every section of the State, Now, therefore we, the committee or decoration, in behalf of this move? ment and with the interest of Sumtei at heart ask your co-operation. We want to see the fronts of every build? ing decorated in our firemen's colors believing that upon the question ol decoration largely depends the suc? cess of this enterprise. The finance committee gives us $25.00 to offer In prizes?$15.00 to the first, $10.00 tc the second?for best decorations or store buildings. We ask that you ex? press your willingness and intention of decorating by signing this paper A hearty, all pull together for Sum? ter. C. D. SCHWARTZ, J. M. CHANDLER, JOHN D. LEMMON, Committee. Schwartz Bros., The Sumter Dry Goods Co., O'Donnell & Co., Cuttino & McKnight Co., Mrs. L. Atkinson, Shaw & McCollum Mer. Co., J. M. Chandler, Levy & Moses, Stubbs Bros., W. W. Sibert, J. Z. Hearon, The Sumter Clo. Co., Burns Hardware Co., W. G. Stubbs Haberdashery, Cash Dry Goods Co., Haynsworth & Durant, R. Strauss, J. E. King, China's Drug Store, Parrott's Book Store, Auld & Weeks, L. W. Folsom, Bultman Bros., A. A. Strauss & Co., Duckor & Bultman, Durant Hardware Co., B, J. Barnett, V. H. Phelps, M. Green, MeCormaek Jewelry Co., Sumter Hardware Co., W. A. Thompson, 1 >eLorme'i Pharmacy, Singer Sewing Machine Co., Everybody's Store, oillo PRISONERS "STRIKE." Penitentiary Inmates charge They are Fed Condemned Meat. Columbus, O., May -">.?One hun? dred prisoners, from murderers to burglars, went on a strike today at the Ohio penitentiary and refused to work, because they thought they were being fed condemned meat. The strikers were placed in solitary con? finement. The officials deny that the prisoners are being given condemned meat. 4T (SOUTHRON, Established June, MM es?VoL XXXI. !3o. 27. SENATE FOB 2 DREADNAUSHTS XAv.^L APPROPRIATION BILIi PASSED YESTERDAY. Burton Amendment Providing For Only One First-Class Battleship Voted Down?Entire Amount Car? ried by Measure Nearly One Hun? dred and Thirty-four Millions?The Democrats Voted With Majority. Washington, May 23.?Voting down, 26 to 39, an amendment offered by Mr. Burton tc authorize only one new battleship, instead of two, the senate today passed the naval appro? priation bill. The bill carries an appropriation of almost $134,000,000. It was before the senate for two days, the debate being confined almost exclusively to the battleship question. Two important amendments were adopted today. One of them, offered by Senator Johnson, appropriates $4 50,000 for the purchase of torpedo boats "whose vitals are below the normal line," the other, by Senator Jones, eliminates railroad, county and municipal bonds from the securities which may be deposited by contrac? tors. The naval increase for the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1911, provided by the bill, is as follows: Two first-class battleships to cost not exceeding $6,000,000 each. Two fleet colliers to cost not ex? ceeding $1,000,000 each. Five submarine torpedo boats not exceeding a total of $2,600,000. Six torpedo boat destroyers to cost not exceeding $750,000 each. The house bill provided for only four submarines and no torpedo boat destroyers. The senate also added a provision that not more than one of the battleships should be built by the same company. The provision inserted in the House, requiring that the battleships and fleet colliers should be built under the "eight hour law" was retained by the Senate. DOAR MADE GRAND CHANCEL? LOR. Pythians Meet in Columbia Next Year. Bennettsville, May 25.?The Grand Lodge adjourned today at noon and at 1 o'clock the half dozen long tables on the court house green were laden with everything tempting and good to eat. The old Confederate soldiers, the guests of the Pythians, were escorted first by the Dauglit^rs of the Confed? eracy to a long table specially pre? pared for them. Next filed in the one thousand Pythians present, who oc? cupied the adjoining tables, then the public orderly took their places around the other tables. It was the biggest barbecue ever given in Marl? boro, and not one person left Ben? nettsville hungry or without a press? ing invitation to partake of the best dinner ever prepared by fair maidens and cheerful matrons. Today's session of the Grand Lodge was again marked with harmonious feeling, and the routine business dis? patched with earnestness on the part of every one. It was decided to fix five thousand dollars as a limit for the Thornwell memorial fund and to continue the disposition of the income as is done now. Columbia was select? ed as the next meeting place for the Grand Lodge. Reports and reso1'! tions were regularly disposed of. The following officers were elected: J. W. Doar, Georgetown, G. C; F. K. My? ers, Charleston, G. V. C; F. S. Ev? ans, Greenwood, G. P.; C. D. Brown, Abbeville, G. K. of R. and S.; Wilson G. Harvey, Charleston, G. M. E.; S. W. Crosland, Bennettsville, G. M. A.; J. L. Reeves, North, G. I. G.; Dr. J. M. Oliver, Orangeburg, G. O. G.; M. Rutledge Rivers, Charleston, chair? man board of publication. Resolutions were passed thanking the press for services, and the local Knights and citizens of Bennettsville for the unbounded hospitality expend? ed to the Grand Lodge. SAT DOWN ON JASPER. Resolution to Return Lee Statue to Virginia Tabled. Freeport, 111.. May 25.?At an ex? ecutive session of the department of Illinois, G. A. R., here today, a reso? lution of Col. Jasper T. Darling, Co? lumbia Post, Chicago, calling upon President Taft to take such steps as may seem best to remove the statue of Gen. Robert B. Lee, from the na? tion's Hall of Fame, at Washington, and to return it to the care and cus? tody of the State of Virginia, was laid! on the table as ill-advised. A fool must now and then be right by chance.?Cooper.