The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-09-23
PURSUE THE
INVESTIGATION.
People Cry for "More" Light
on the Dispensary.

The present status of the dispen-
sary investigation does not seem to
be satisfactory to any of the parties
concerned nor to the people of the
State The clamor for searching
investigation of all the affairs of the
institution seems greater now than
ever. In consequence, it is thought
likely that when the State board re-
sumes the investigation on the first
Tuesday in October the further pro
ceedings will be of the greatest de-
gree of public interest.
While it is not a time for predic
tions, several things have occurred
since the board took it's recess which
would indicate that considerable new
matter will be brought out. Some Of
these matters can be mentiond and
some of them cannot Commissioner
Mixson. in the first place, has asked
all the whiskey houses that offered
him rebates 10 send their men here :"
testify as to what they did. If al
thing is behind they can be quo IL
ed Another thing is that Governor
Evans yesterday declared that he
was by no means satisfied with the
investigation as it stood, and further
declared his determination to have
the matter sifted to the bottom.
In fact, it is rumored that Governor
Evans is thinking seriously about
calling the retiring Legislature to-
gether in extra session to take some
action il regard to the matter Vi
course nothing definite is known Of
this, but if rhe governor is really
considering such matter he will
hardly do anything before the State
board reassembles and takes final ac
tion in regard to the matter.
In the meantime the country press
is clalnoring for a searching legisla-
tive investigation before the matter
is ended finally.
Yesterday Commission Mixson
made public the following letter
which he has forwarded (:
COLUMBIA. s c., Sept. 18, 1896
Mr.. j G Yos', Live Oak Distilling
Company. Cincinnati.
Dear Sir: No doubt you have seen
from the papers that An investigation
ia being had here by the State board
of control in reference to employees
Of the State diapensary receiving re-
bates from whiskey men In my tes-
timony tie papers make it appear
that said olive Oak had offered me
a rebate in justice to both your
house and myself, l wish to correct
this said, "Mr. White, who was
selling for the Live Oak company on
commissions, had told me that one
half of his COMMISSIONS he would
give to me - Tha: I also stated II
refused > Instead OF making the
statement that Live Oak had offered
nae rebates. emphatically stated
that Live Oak had never done any
such thing, no'Iad any mention been
made to me verbally or in writing III
reference to the rebates or commits
sions Except The 5 per cent. dis
count which is accounted for) to my
self or anyone else, save old man
White, who did offer me one.half Of
his commissions With this offer to
me- cannot see that your house had
anything to do. as he had perfect
right to dispose Of them as he saw
fl
Now, sir. this Investigation is con-
,inued to the regular meeting on
October, which will be on Tuesday,
tie 9th think in Justice to not
only me, but TO your house, you
should come forward and state these
facts aud show the people of my
State that am clean of the charge
of receiving rebates from your house,
and while you did give NY son q
commission, that you never verbally
or in writing mentioned this fact to
me, ucr to you; that | never knew
If this through you, nor that you
through me knew that | was cogni-
zaut of the fact. That is very i'm.
portant matter to me as my good
name is dependent en- whether | re-
ceived the rebates Or not, and under
these circumstances | cannot but feel
that yon will come forward at the
time and testify, which testimony
will clean me of such stain and save
the reputation OF your house. l do
hope, my dear sir, that you will be
present. will ado that will write
each and every party who approach
ed me to sell. similar letters rs to my
being approached by them and ask
their presence At that meeting |
am, Very respectfully,
f NJ. MIXsoN