Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WHAT TOM FELDER DID < The One Man Who Could Have ! Secured the Evidence Which J Damned the Old State Dis- j pensary and Who Did Secure ' It?His Work Reviewed. j (From a letter to the Yorkville Enquirer by the Hon. J. 8. Slice.) ^ * * * If there was one liquor < house that swindled South Carolina , out of more money than any other I during the reign of the State dispeneary it was the Richmond Distilling . Company, and at the time the Ansel I commission was removed by * * I the present governor, this same Felder you speak of had a suit pending against them for five hundred thousand dollars, and they had offered to compromise this suit for one hun- v dred thousand dollars in cash. Also it was the intention of the coinmis- 1 sion to require any dispensary ofli- ! cial who had taken money from the State to restore the same. Now as a citizen of South Caro lina, who loves his State and who s has served his State without asking for any reward for his services, and c knowing the criminal trials of the ? dispensary officials were mere political battles, had I remained on the 0 commission 1 should have certainly " attempted to have had these parties [ make restitution regardless of whether they were ever tried in the criminal courts or not. a From the establishment' of the ^ State dispensary system in, July, J* 1893, until its alxriition in February, j: 1907, a period of nearly fourteen . years, there were charges of rebate and graft made on the hustings, in 11 the newspapers and on the floor of 8 the house and senate in Columbia, c blii these charges were always met " with scorn and derision, and even the honest yeomanry of South Caro- 8: Una attributed them to political prejudices. The State of South q Oaroljna spent thousands of dollars a through a committee appointed on ? motion 'of Cole L. Blease investi- . gating the State dispensary, and J while Lyon and Christensen, of the c committee, did faithful work, they Cl only succeeded in stirring up some " black slime on the surface of the < reeking and rotten dispensary cal- s< dron, and the State dispensary ad- K vocates, your friend Blease among ? them, on the floor of the senate ? ' dared and defied them to go into the q criminal courts on any of the evidence they produced. It is true, after they made their report, every ^ honest man in the State believed the ^ system was rotten, and acting on the belief the legislature abolished the ^ system, but everybody in South Carolina believed it was impossible ^ th^fever prove in any criminal court ? that any one connected with the ays- j1 toth was guilty of fraud and of larcony. But in 1907, when Thomas J* B. Felder appeared on the scene of Y action and stripped himself and went down into the black and Seethimfr. fliHrn>n?.irv nit hn ramA Vvmk with his hands full of positive, indisputable written evidence of the guilt of the dispensary officials and of liquor houses. Felder, and Fel- ^ der alone, produced the evidence that satisfied everybody, friend and T foe, of the dispensary system that stealing, and good stealing, had been going on to such an extent that it was reduced to a system. Tom Felder is no saint and he is no pro- p hibitionist. He is one of the attorneys for the Liquor Dealers' Asso- a ciation now, (he was not at the time ft he was employed by the com mission,) but he is the man who fur- M nished the evidence that forever b damned the State dispensary sys- w tem, and the people of South Caro- a linaowe him a debt of gratitude for j his work. I know of no lawyer in c the State of South Carolina, and I g know something about the bar of ri this State, who had the legal and 0 detective ability combined to do the e work Felder did, and I assert there t] is not a lawyer in the State could Cl have done it. So if by Folder's . "rake off" you mean that fees the 0 State commission paid him under a tj !ii a ? ? A i 1 ?. I wruieu uuiuract, i aasen ne diuni q cost the State a dollar, and through f< hifl efforts money was put in the a State treasury and his fees and that, money put in the State treasury was t< money which would otherwise have 0 gone into th<> tills of corrupt liquor i; houses that had been swindling the 0 State for years and that Thomas 3. c Felder fairly won and richly de- t served every cent he got. I know *c he has incurred the everlasting ill will of those against whom he lire- t seated evidence. I know Blease's dispensary commission spent a year t trying to get him in jail. I know r nothing about the man except his B work as attorney for the winding- v up commission, and I would be un- c ( true to myself if 1 did not stand up and say be did his work for South Carolina wisely and well, faithfully t and efficiently and earned every dol- f lar he received. c While I have not the report before me today, when theCwinding-up a [liaw I BAKING WJ Aimoiarioi !| Used and praise I competent and i! try cooks the iL The only Baking | from Royal Gr K Tartar?made ommission sold the liquor supplies n hand, the liquor house proved lebts against the State to the amount f about $700,(XX), and there was tot enough money on hand to pay be costs of the administration and t he liquor house debts, and when " elder appeareu with his evidence ml showed by competent and inisputable evidence that the State; id not owe them half this amount, j he liquor house went into the | Inited States court in order to get heir 8700,000. And right here I oust say that I have always been urprised at the large number of our itizens, many of them good, honest aen, loyal citizens, but blinded by heir love for the State dispensary ysterri that they almost prayed that he United States court would acuire jurisdiction and wind up the ffairs of the State dispensary. Of ourse, 11 the supreme court of the Incited States had sustained the adgment of the United States ciruit court and of the United States ourt of appeals, then Felder would ot have received a cent, and all the ime and all the money and all the srvices he had spent would have one for naught. And it has been onservatively estimated that the ost8 of the administration in the Tnited States court, and which the tate of "South Carolina "would have aid, attorneys' fees and all, under tiese circumstances, would have een over $200,000. Now while ou, possibly, like Teddy Roosevelt, rould liave been d-e-l-i-g-h-t-e-d, ecause this Felder would have revived nothing I do not believe the ixpayers of South Carolina would ave been d-e-l-i-g-h-t-e-d when the Tnited States called on them to ay a dispensary deficiency of from vo to three hundred thousand doLira. Presentment of Grand Jury. State of South Carolina, | VII1VIU UVUUtJ , ( ourt of. General Sessions, I February Term 1912. 'o His Honor, Judge George W. Gage, Circuit Judge presiding in and for the County of Union, State aforesaid: The Grand Jury respectfully reorts: We have visited the county jail nd find the sewerage system in a Ithy condition, the stools also; weepings not removed daily or reekly. We recommend that this e done by the janitor three times a reek or every day during the week nd that the stools be cleaned every ay. We find the walls in firstlass condition. The northeast duneon or cell has no ventilation. We Bcommend that the ventilation be j pened at once by the commission- j rs or proper authorities and also hat the furnace be put in first-class ondition at once. We hftVlA not. <ivomina/l * ,.,?ii -?t.. flices on account of existing condiions of which your Honor is aware f. We have appointed committee** 3r this purpose as soon as the titpe rrivee.| We have also appointed committee on cotton mills (child labor), ommittee on railroads and on pubic roads to report at the next term f court and these reports to be trade on the first day of court so hat action can be taken at said term f court without delay. The committee on poor house or tarish reporters follows: Found everything in good condiion except three hQUses and we ecommend porches for same and urvey of the county lands by sureyor and establish the line of the ounty property at this place. Chain gang reports: We, the committee, found foureen prisoners well clothed and cared or and everything else in first-class ondition. We have examined all bills preentod us by the solicitor and acted pal ] POWDER I d by the most careful pas- Y| 5 world over gl Powder made m ape Cream of from grapes upon the same as facte warranted according to law and to the beet ol our ability. We are proud to have a son ol Union county to preside over this court. We are proud of you and Solicitor Otts being sons of oui county and we wish to thank yon ?... ?i? _i ~ i *? ?v<i wjunesiwi Hiiuwn us, aiso int officers of this court. Respectfully submitted. J. M. Greer, Foreman Grand Jury. Historic Building Burned. Macon, Ga., Feb. 28.?The burning recently of the laboratory building just beyond Vineville destroyed a building that intended, with a building of equal'proportions known as the armory, in the southern pait of the city, to make Macon the bast of supplies as to ammunition for the Confederate army. From the latter part of 18G1 cartridges were made in Macon for the army. At first these cartridges were very crude, made with brown wrapping paper, and consisted of one large ball for twelve bore guns and three buckshots about the size of an old-fashioned cathartic pill and a charge of coarse black powder. Those were gradually ' mproved upon and finally came t? pressed slug or ball with a better quality of paper. FIRST liU 11.1)1 NO USED. Millions were made in Macon. The first building to be used was tlint . 1 VIIUV KJll A upini DUCCl, liUW KliUWIl as Pat Lyon's saloon, but the demands grew until the entire corner of Second and Poplar streets, now occupied by the telephone exchange and other buildings, was covered with one-story wooden buildings, in which 500 girls and boys were engaged in the manufacture of cartridges, iilling shells, the making of fuses, sky rockets and Roman candles for signaling. With the view of making Macon the distributing point and base of ammunition supplies the Confederate government secured a number of acres of land above Vineville for a laboratory and several acres in the southern part cf the city for au armory for the manufacture of small arms and percussion caps. This latter manufacture war carried on where the girls' and boys' high schools are now. Col. C. S. Mallette was in charge of the construction of the laboratory. The commonest laborer on the building was receiving ?10 per day. This building was nearing completion, as was the armory building, when <?en. Wilson entered the city. MA Jolt HANSON IKUOHT IT. Some time after the war had ended the building came into possession of private parties and was used for a barrel factory and other purposes until a few years ago, when the late Major Hanson, as president of the Central of Georgia Railway Company, bought it to hold in reserve for the establishment of the great shops afterward built on the city reserve. The major feared that he could not got as m ich of the reserve, and property of others in the locality, as he had in mind, and thus provided himself as desired foi the immense shops he had against any contingency. In 1868 the people of Macon and of the State hud about recovered a foothold for the future, and a number of enterprising citizens held a fair under the auspices of the StaU Agricultural Society in the laboratory building, which was most admirably suited for the purpose. Tht people of the State, especiallv th< farmers, were eager for a fair. Th? last fair had been held in 1860 01 1860. The great fair was known a* the Balgian fair and was held ai Camp Oglethorpe, where the shop of the Southern Railway Companj are now, in the eame vicinity as the Bibb Brick Company and other manufacturers. was bibb's best fair. The Central ran a spur track to the laboratory from the main line, which parsed in front, and if you ask any old-timer what was the best 1 fair ever held in Bibb county he will unhesitatingly say that the first fair held after the war at the laboratory building was by all odds entitled to the blue ribbon. The exposition of farm products was such as to dispel even the slightest intimation that such a thing as a war had ever occurred. It showed that the people had been at work to make up J for the time loet in the army. The building was constructed of the very beet material and of the very best workmanship. With any caro the building would have withstood the ravages of ages. Its twin, the armory building, has ! been razed to the ground many years. Only one little side wing of it yet remains. Capt. R. H. Jennings, who has j held the office of State treisurer for years, announoes that he will not offer himself for re-election. i REPORT OF THE CONDITION = ?OF THE? I MERCHANTS AND PLANTERS i NATIONAL BANK [ At Union, in the .State of South Carolina at the close of business, Feb. 1 20th, 10 111. kksolluks. x | Loans and discounts *248,878 58 , Overdrafts, secured and unsecured 7,213 13 1J. S. bomls to secure circulation ir>,ooo oo Bonds, securities, etc 18,000 00 Banking house, furniture and fixtures 10,000 00 Due from National Banks (not reserve agents! 8,405 95 . Due from approved reserve agents 27,268 88 Checks and other cash items 06 00 1 Notes of other National Banks 730 00 i Fractional paper currency, nickels and cents. 402 59 , lawful money reserve in bank, viz: Specie $27,501 70 Legal tender notes.. 8,000 00 :t5,501 70 Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 per cent, of circulation). 750 00 Total $372,216 811 UABIIJTIRS. Capital stock paid in $ 00,000 00 Surplus fund 32,000 00 Undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid 19,513 89 National bank notes outstanding.... 14,500 00 Due to ot her National Banks . 493 04 Due to State and Private Banks and Bankers 1,862 04 ? Individual deposits subject to check 243,847 26 Total $372,210 8.3 Statu of South Carolina, County of Union. I, J. I). Arthur, Cashier of the above named bank, do solemnly swear tJiat tliu above statement in triK* to the beat of my knowledge and belief. J. D. Arthur, Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me this, 26th day of Feb., 1612. Thoe. McNally, Notary l'nblie. | Correct?Attest: A. II. Foster f \V. F. (iilliatn Directors. .1. Hoy Fant ) Report of the Condition of THE CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK At Union. S. ('., at the close of business Fob. 20th, 1012. i ItKSOI'IM'KS lioansand Discounts $180,621 85 Overdrafts, secured and unsecured 1,007 35 U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 12,500 00 Banking hotlse, furniture and tixturus I-1,646 63 Due from National Banks (not reserve agents; 5,625 71 Due from approved Reserve Agents 12,445 46 , Cheeks and other Cash Items.. 1,468 51 Notes of other National hanks. 5 tHl Fractional pajx-r curreney, r nickels and cents 216 46 ? Lawful money reserve in bank, vi/,: Specie $ 11,630 76 Legal-teiulor notes 185 tHl ll,s|5 "o Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (-5 per cent, of oir[ eolation I 625 (H)! . Due from D. S. Treasurer 300 <K?| T<.mI $250,002 ??T iimhi.hu> Capital Stock Paid in $50,000 00 Surplus Fund 5,000 00 1 Undivided Profits, less Kxi pcnses and Taxes Paid.... ? , 17K 20 ... National bank botes outstanding 12,500 00 Individual Deposits Subjeet U> ! Chock 1:50,710 72 I Time Cortitieaten of Deposit .. 14,342 55 > Cashier'a Checks outstanding.. 080 01 Notes and billH red iso suited. 20,878 53 ' Ilills payable, including certitieaten of deposit for money I borrowis! 10,000 00 Total $250,002 07 t StaU- of South Carolina } , , i County of Union \ j I, C. C. Kamlem, Cashier of the above named bunk, do solemnly swear that the " above statement is true to the Ix-st of my knowledge artd belief. . 0. C. Sanders, Cashier, Subeeribed and sworn to liefore me this 26th day of Feb., 1012. p J. M. Greer, < Notary Public. [, Correct fittest R. P. Morgan j ? J. D. Jones ^ Directors. ' ' J. G. Going ) 1 A SUGGESTION! I H There is more than money and safety in a Bank ^ account. It helps to establish a credit that H ?1 may prove of far greater value to you than the Sgl ? money you have saved. m Open an account today with this Bank. We gg ^ will cheerfully receive small deposits and guard y g Interest paid on Time ane Savings Deposits. ^ Yours for Service and Safety R I The Citizens National Bank | Union, South Carolina ^ vwpnai anu JUipiUS JOW,WWV,WW. La AAA *AA *A* AAA AAA AAA aAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA AAA ALA AAA AAA AAA ALA AAA AAa AA. ^A. ^rnfnir ilr Mrnlr MBrnlr nlrhITHBT y W v Mt |Get Our Prices!} ?* : -ON- :| . i* i FLOUR :j i 1 * ? ^ J I J ?r i if I We Can Save You Money. I| i -E > % ' PEOPLES SUPPLY GO. !| i X^"KEEP YOUR MQISTEY AT HOME" J X Standing of Twelve Leading Companies X V Showing Per Cent, of Money Carried Out of V V South Carolina in 1910 9 X Union Central 64% Mutual Benefit 52% X V Prudential... ...52 New York Life .50 O Aetna ---46 Penn Mutual. .39 A A Equitable... 38 Life Ins. Co. of Virginia 35 A V Mutual Life 34 Metropolitan .26 jf A Travelers 25 Southeastern Life 00 A X The figures used in this leaflet are obtained from the X * Preliminary Report of the Insurance Department of South X V Carolina, and are, therefore, authentic. jf O This report shows that, in 1910, the life insurance V ? companies doing business in this State received $1,750,- O A 060.42 MORE THAN THEIR TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS A X IN THIS STATE. This is over Two Hundred Thousand X X Dollars more than the total cost of maintaining the State X V Government during the same year. \r X Patronize the Home Company. X s SOUTHEASTERN LIFE INSURANCE CO. 8 X OF SOUTH CAROLINA X V XV. 1>. GEORGE, General Agent \ I |n:..n C f O A F. W. PERRIN, Special Agent I UIII0II, O. \J. A |3RE ArisTIfi3 FOR ?SA L?1 Id $ Six building lots centrally located, near the w t ft Methodist Church. w 11 q J One nice five-room cottage on Church street. 4 jt Four-room cottage on West Main street. ^ 0 One nice building lot on West Main street. J FARMS $ ffc i I j jj 408 acres located 8 miles from Union on Tyger J J | J river, four miles from Sedalia, at a bargain, jy 4 ft W m If you have any property for sale, 0 t ft either farms or building lots, list it ^ Jx with us. ^0 11 CITIZENS REAL ESTATE & LOAN CO. f J| D. Fant Gilliam, Pres. Sj 4