The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-16
Mr. Patton and Sale 20
County.


cd my attention to an editorial on the
proposed new couoty of Salem. In
this you say: I'VE would ike to
know in what capacity Mr H Cowper
Patton will act 10 the Legislature when
the Salem question is under considera-
tion whether as judge of the merits
Of the case in his representative capacl
| ty or as an advocate of the ne" county
Interests 10 the capacity as the attorney
of the Salem County COMMITTEE. "
As | bave DO connection whatever
With the Salem County Committee, [
ppresumethat shall TACT as judge Of
the merits of the case in my representa-.
tive capacity.
While I am writing, however, | may
state that before accepting the retainer
OF the Salem County Committee to
make the argument for them before the
KersAaw Board of Canvassers, | con
suited several freo ds-prcmInent mem
bers of our Bar-as to the propriety Of
such action They promptly responded
that in their opinion there was nothing
10 it incopsisten. with the uicest sense
of honor. | made the argument and
was promptly paid for my service
When the decision Of the Board was
rendered, the Committee wished to EN-
ploy me to take further steps for them.
| informed them that if they wished to
apply to the courts, would accept the
retainer but if to the General Assem-
bly,, them CT course | could not repre-
seat them Upon consultation. they
abandoned the idea of proceedings in
court, and my connection wish the mat
ter ceased except that did, at their
request, recommend to them compe-
tent attorney, who, | presume, has the
matter in hand
It is extremely distasteful to me to
bore your readers With my private af-
fairs in this way but your editorial
has left me no a! ernative. The charge
that your words imply is one whose
gravity moments reflection will ex-
bibit. I have represented my county
for humber Of years in the General
Assembly. aud l should be grieVed if |
thought that you could Gnd anything
10 my conduct there that would justify
the opinion Of me that your words seem
to imply. AS it is, am not little
mortified that reputable newspaper
should entertain such an opinion and
not little indignant that one such
should express or insiuuate it SO lightly,
without an offors to obtain the facts so
easy of access.
Again, may l ask why you eviuce
such burning curiosity to know the ca
pacity 10 which 1 shall act in this mat
ter and at the same time exhibit such
callous indifference as to the respect
i've capacities" Of Mr.. Wiukler. Rep
reseutative, aud of Nc. Hay. Senator
from Kershaw. both Of whom appeared
before the Boar6 aud conducted the
case 90 the other side? OF course This
does not affect the merits of the ques
tioo but does it not at least justify NE
in thinking that io ny case there must
exist sous personal feeling, which |
am conscious of hav,ug done nothing
to justly and am at LOIS to uuder
stand Very respectfully,
CowpER PATT'N.
Columbia, S. c., Dec. 10, 1896.
In another column a communica.
tien from Mr.. Il. Cowper Patton of
Columbia will be found. MIR. Patton,
it will be remembered, represented
the Salem County Committee in the
contest against the new county elec,
zion in Kershaw county and appeared
for the committee before the Board of
Election Commissioners Of that coun
ty and made an argument against
declaring the election on the face OF
the returns of the managers of cleo
,ion on the ground of irregularities in
the conduct of the election Mr.
Patton is member Of the Legisla-
ture, and, as the formation of all new
counties most come before the Legis
lature for final settlement, we did
not consider it exactly proper that
one who will be called upon to sit in
judgment on the merits of a case in
an official capacity should, at prior
date, serve as an advocate and
attorney for one side of the case En-
tertaining these views we criticised
Mr.. Patton in brief editorial para
graph and his communication is in
reply TO that criticism.
We had nc personal feeling in the