The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18
THE TREASURES REPORT.

The Sunter herald in its last issue
asks the above question, after stating
that the County Commissioners had
made reduction of $3.50 from its
bill Of $434 for the publication Of the
County Treasurer's Report, as the
result Of the investigation by the
Graod Jury-wbich investigation cost
the county in per diem. &c, of the
Jury $500.
Here is What the Herald said:
TIE rREAsuRRs's REPORT
The County Commissioners have
paid our bill for publishing the County
Treasurer's Report The whole cost
was S4S4. The commissioners reduced
the amount $37. so We deem it Of
ipteres. to give the following facts:
The cost Of that great aud searching
investigation BY Foreman Rees. which
he said was had to save money for the
county, S54. according to his own
statement. besides the additional
amount paid the County Commissioners
Il will thus be seen that the county is
in debt $3.50 for the services Of the
Grand Jury alone The commissioners
we're engaged with this matter at three
different meetings, SO the taxpayers can
imagine the additional expense. Had
our full bill been paid at FIRST the
county would have saved money. As
It is in debt probably $40 for an inves-
tisation which has not amounted to
row Of pins. This is saving money for
the county with q vengeance
It is . significant fact that the presid-
ing judge completely ignored that part
Of Foreman Rees's presentment relat-
iog to the Treaturer's Report, aud did
not have the clerk to serve that section
on the Board Of County Commissioners
Yet the Commissioners referred the
matter to their attorney, and his opin-
ioa completely demolished every OBJ
lection raised. except the space
occupied, and 90 this he reported that
he could not advise them, not being
practical printer. The question Of
space was 6oally referred to Mr.. A. 6.
Flowers. foreman Of the Watchnsan
and Soathron, rival newspaper. and
he found space to the amount of $50
as compared with the last years report.
When it is remembered that the report
this year vas much larger than that of
last year. the space can be easily ac-
counted for. The balance, $3.50,
was for heads that were net in the
report of last year. but the Commis-
sioners refused to pay for them. The
space Mr.. Flowers fourd was between
the headings. The report vas set 10
smaller type this year. consequently the
body part Of the report made less in
proportion. The public can now judge
as to who was right and who was
wrong.
How much longer are the people Of
this county going TO pay the piper"
for senseless Investigations? 1t is
question for them to answer.
Since the presensment was made by
the Grand Jury. Capt Keels has de-
MED that be gave the report to the
Herald with the expectation that 1t
would be divided with the other papers,
as the Grand Jury claimed to under
stand him; and he has published
statements given him BY Messrs. W.
W. Dennis aud R. W. Chandler, of
Shiloh Township. members Of the
Grand Jury. who back him in his de-
NAL.
Capt. Keels has also mace state
rnent to the effect that be promised last
winter to give the report to MIR.
Nettles, then Editor of the Herald. and
since then Editor Nettles asked for and
secured the report from bin for the
Herald under Messrs Knights control.
In reply to all this Mr.. ". J. Rees.
Foreman Of the Grand Jury, has pub.
lished a digoi6ed card, in which be
declines to continue an absurd news
paper controversy with Treasurer
Keels. az to what be did cr did not say
in explicit words. and that he proposes
to let the matter rest until the reassem-
bling Of the Grand Jury by whose
understanding Of the matter and judg-
ment thereon be will be governed. He
thinks that Messrs. Dennis and Chan
daer have made a mistake in not pur.
suing the same course.
The Watchman and Somitron has