The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-06-10

naming l-2 per cent, or $4,000.
ostensibly went to Mr.. Rhind, the
man who had been chosen by MIR
Evans, the Administration leader III
the Legislature. the man who had
EN-, >yed Mr.. Evans and Major W. 1.
Gary, Mr.. Evans uncle, as his attor-
neys, and who mad the option on the
entire bond issue before it had been
provided for by the Legislature.
1t does not appear that MIR. Rnnd
took any active part in the organize
tion Of the syndicate. it is.in evl-
dence that he borrowed $500 from
the New York broker with which to
meet his travelling expenses. There
is nothing in the testimony to show
what services Major Gary who is
citizen Of Georgia, performed, but
the sworn statements show that he
was paid $1,000. Governor Evans,
who was supposed by people in South
Carolina to be acting in the interest
of the State, testi6es that he came
North in Mr.. Rhind's 5beha!f, and
after the squabble over the division
of the commission arose urged on the
members of the syndicate the pro-
priety and justice of allowing Mrl.
Rhind to receive his share. then tied
up in the Baltimore Trust Company
by litigation. The expense account
Of the syndicate shows that Govern
or Evans was paid Sl00 attorneys
fee and that Treasurer Bates was
paid by the syndicate $2,330 SO for
Services
Mr.. Rhind testified that he had not
yet. so far as his part Of it was con-:
cerned, paid Governor Evans fee or.
learned what it would be 1t ap...
pears on the record that at least two:
Of the three State officials actively
engaged in the negotiation of the
bonds were employed and paid by
the purchasers.
The impression given to the persons.
mos. actively engaged iD behalf Of the
syndicate at the time is clearly set forth
10 the testimony Certain members Of
the syndicate expressed curiosity and
interest. natural, perhaps, iu the cir.
cumstapces They inquired Why it was
that Of S1lS,000 bonus offered by the
State to purchasers of the bonds, only
$4,000 vas available for the actual
purchasers who were to furnish the
money, while S78,700 was to 60 to Alr
Rhiud. who was furnishing no money
and apparently taking 20 active part 10
the dicker. The Richmond broker told
them he understood-presumably from
Mr.. Rbind-that the bulk Of that sum
was to .'be divided among parties in
South Carolina rho had political iDau-
ence.' The New York broker, who
vas in close association with Mr..
Rhind. aud whose opportunities for
knowledge were best of all, replied that
they would better not investigate
rLat; that it was to 60 to people who
would better no.: be known"
1t reads that way in the testimony
taken.
When Mr.. Rhind was on the staod,
he vas not pressed regarding his use OF
bis part of the boous, aud offered no
explanation.
Il is not 10 evidence 10 this case. bat
it is a fact capable Of easy aud direct
proof, that Mr.. Rhind, while holding
the option on the bond issue and en-
deavoripg to induce he formation Of a
syndicate to take IL, stated that he
would uot get more than enough from
it to pay for his time and expenses 1t
is also true that memb bers Of the syod!
cate who were willir: :, to dea! directly
With the State and take the bopds for
a commission of three-fourths of l per
ceot we're officially informed that no
proposition could be considered unless
they were sent shrough Mr.. Rhind-
that not even an offer Of par net, with
out any commission. would be consider
ed, although at that very time Mr..
Rhind was demanding at p per cent
commission.
When the time came for division Of
the bonus of $4,000 the New York
man took 500, 600 and the Richmond
man $1,000, for special services and
expenses. Mr.. Rhind got S4S,500,
and Major Gary $1,000. A peculiar aud
perhaps significant circumstance is that
Mr.. Rhind took bis S48. 500, no' in one
draft on the Baltimore Trust Company,
but in three separate drafts. all payable
the same day-one for S25. 600, one
for $4,000, aud one for S14, 800.
To sum up, according TO the sworn
evidence 90 record
Mr.. Rhind, who has no special prom.
iuence or standing in business circles,
aud who was DOT citizen or resident of
South CaroliBa, was approached by the
present Governor, Evans, then the re-