The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-09-23
Pushing Prosecutions.

Columbia State, Sept, Goth.
The State board of control passed
a resolution at its last special session
that is receiving prompt attention.
II was to the effect thst dispensers
or their clerks who might be short in
their accounts should be prosecuted.
The case of Mr.. T. A Scott and
bis clerk, Mr.. Csrtledge, of the Ward
Three dispenssry. is the first case to
come up The county board by the
advice of the attorney general las
made afidavits before Magistrate
Troy and had him to swear out war.
rants for the arrest of these two men
The specifications in the affidavit
against Mr.. Scott are submitting
fraudulent reports to the county
board, making false entries on books.
violations of the dispensary law and
breach of trust. On this affidavit a
warrant was sworn out by Mr.. P. L.
Melton for MIR. Scott's arrest. He
was not in the city, but will, as soon
as be hears of this matter, come and
give bond for his appearance at the
circuit court
Mr.. R. F. Martin, another member
of the county Of control, made affida-
Wit to the effect that W. A. Cartledge
about the Sd day of July willfully
and fraudently altered and changed
the figures on check from 35 cents
to Sl.35; that he removed liquors
and disposed of them after the dis.
pensary was closed at night; for max,
ing false entries on the dispensary
books ani for appropriatine money
to his own use. A warrant was
taken out and served on Mr.. Cart
ledge, who at once appeared before
Magistrate Troy, waived the prelim-
mary hearing and gave $500 bond
for his appearance for trial at the Cir
cult court
A charge of forgery it will be no.
ticed. is involved in the speci6ca-
tions of the affidavit A voucher
which was drawn to pay bill of 80
cents for bottle Of mucilage and
bottle of ink. it is claimed, was
changed from that amount to Sl.35
A member of the county board was
asked yesterday by reporter of The
State if the shortage of Mr.. Scott was
promptly paid would the case against
him then be continued. The reply
was shat the State board of control
was making an effort to stop these
numerous shortages that were occur.
ing in the different dispensaries of
the State. this action against Mr..
Scott would certainly not be stopped.
1t would be prosecuted and if the
jury rendered verdict of not guilty,
then we'll and good. The county
board of control would feel, however,
that it had discharged it's duty. If
dispensers were not held crlmlnally
responsible for the shortages, he be-
lieved they would increase, but on
the other hand, if actions were
brought, they would decrease
Chairman Jones said that no
mercy. so far as the State board of
control was concerned, would be
shown any one charged with direlic.
tion of duty i'll the management of
county dispensaries.
Mr. Scott's bondsmen are Messrs.
L NJ. Scott and G. W. Parker,
against whom suit will be brought.
Tomorrow Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Townsend goes to Orangeburg
to take charge Of the prosecution of
the case against Dispenser Evans of
St Matthews with which the public
is familiar. 1t is case of about a
years standing The policy Of the
State is to Immediately prosecute all
such outstanding cases.