The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-23
THE STATE DlSPENSARY.
THE RECENT SCANDAL INVES TlGAT-
EDDY T1eSTATE BOARD.


Action Taken by the Board.
COLUMBIA, Sept. 17.--The State
Board of Control was engaged all day
yesterday investigating the dispensary
scandal. The examination began in
the Office of the board at 80 and with
two hours intermission was kept up
continuously until p. m. All mem
bers were present as we'll as all OF the
legislative committee. The witnesses
examined were Governor Evans, Mr..
s. W. Scruges, Colonel Mixson, ). w.
and w. IT. MlxSon and Col. ID. IL
Tompkins.
Chairman Jones called the board to
order, whereupon Attorney General
Barber, addressing the board, said that
he was present in obedience TO the es'
olution of the board and was ready to
perform any duty the board might
call upon him to perform as he was
legally their counsel. Chairman Jones
stated that the board wished him to
examine the witnesses and suggested
that in order that he might be familiar
with the purpose OF the meeting that
the published cards of Governor Evans
and Colonel Mixson be read.
Mr.. Barber thought that unnecessa'
ry, but asked that the stenographer be
sworn, remarking at the same time
that the board mad no authority to ad
minister on oath. Chairman Jones
being a notary public administered the
oath and the board was ready for busl'
ness.
Mr.. Barber: What witness do you
want to examine? Governor Evans,
Colonel Tompkins and Colonel Mixson
are here.
Governor Evans: Wouldn't it be
we'll for the board to indicate the
scope of its examination and deter
mine what it intends to doa
Chairman Jones: 1t is our intention
togo as far as possible. We agreed last
night that it was beyond our power
to investigate beyond our employees.
Mr.. Williams said that was the de-
cision. The board would have no right
or power to 60 outside.
Mr.. Barber said undoubtedly the
board would not have that right.
Mr.. Abney arose and stated that he
had been requested by Mr.. Mixson to
appear in his behalf. In doing so he
believed he was not transgressing the
proprieties when he called to the at
tention of the board the word thor.
ough" in their resolution. There is no
limitation to it. He understood that
the board came into Office on April l.
If you are going to confne yourself to
since that time it could be understood.
But the scope of the examination as
intimated is not in keeping with the
resolution.
Chairman Jones stated that what
prompted him to call the board togeth-
er was the open letters of Governor
Evans and Commissioner MiXson. lie
thought it necessary that the matter
be looked into after that. If they had
not appeared he would have seen no
cause for calling the board together.
That's why they are here to consider
the matters charged in those letters.
Mr.. Douthit. We are to consider
those and any others that may come
out of them.
Mr.. Nicholson: In other words we
want a searching investigation of all
matters pertaining to the management
Of the dispensary.
Mr.. Williams: Our understanding
was that these charges are to be inves-
tigated. If anything further comes
up, we will investigate that unless
some objection is made.
The scope of the examination having
thus been definitely determined, the
lawyers had little consultation and
after awhile Attorney General Barber
asked that the Governor be sworn,
which Chairman Jones proceeded to
do. General Barber then asked him
to state what he knew.
GOVERNOR EVANS.
Governor Evans testified: ] don't
know anything further than what is
contained in my letter. Most of the
evidence I have is hearsay. The only
thing in the way of positive evidence
are Mixson's statements and his boys
confession, which are in my letter,
which, believe, have not been con-
troverted so far as the material part is
concerned. The only thing | have to
state is just what is in my letter.
Mr.. Nicholson: In order to refresh
the minds of the board would it not be
better to read the letter?
There was no second and Governor
Evans continued: I'll just state that
the facts stated in that letter were
brought to me by circumstances and
by statements of the clerk of the bosrd
which led me to believe that the Com
missioner or parties connected with
him were getting money from whiskey
men.
At this point General Barber inter
rupted and said that MIR. Abney had
been consulting him about cross ex-
animation of witnesses and he sug-
geste d that the board grant Mr.. Abney
that privilege, which was cheerfully
done.
Governor Evans resuming: These
reports went on from time to time and
in conversation VI it'll Mr.. Scruggs he
said he could get the evidence for me
If he left the State. | told him he had
my permission TO leave and he said he
wanted to 60 to Cincinnati. He did so
and returned with evidence against
Mixson's son. Then Tompkins and
Mixson called at the Mansion and it
was agreed that they should get a con
fession from the boy. The next morn,
ing Tompkins came TO my Office and
wrote on slip OF paper, which he
handed me saying the boy had confes
sed. Later in the day Mixson brought
me the letter Of confession, but pro
tested that he had no knowledge of