The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-21
THE SUMTER SHORTAGE.
TREASURER kEELS MAKES ANSWER
IN OPEN COURT.

TREASURER KEELS MAKES ANSWER
IN OPEN COURT.
He Asks that q Further Examination OF
Hls Books he Made and Asserts That all
VIII he Found Right-Coropcr Com
mander's Statement.
SUMTER, s. c., Oct. 15.-At high
noon toda v 9x-Treasurer d. IL. keels
and Coroner Commander appeared
before Judge Benet in open court to
answer the rule TO show cause why
they should not be indicted for malfea-
sance of which were in their hands as
county officials.
The cases against these two officials
are too we'll known in all their details
to make a recapitulation of the facts
necessary to a clear understanding of
the answers put IN by each of them.
Mr.. Commander was first called on
to make his return to the rule which
had been duly served on him. He was
represented by Fl. L. B. Wells, Esq,
who read the answer which recited
briefly that Mr.. Commander became
acting sheriff on the death of Sheriff
Marion Sanders and continued in
charge of the Office until q successor
to Sheriff Sanders was appointed: Du-
ring the time he was acting sheriff ne
collected certain moneys and made
correct records of all transactions as
required by law. That when Mr..
George ?. McKagen was appointed
sheriff he CIV. II. Commander) offered
to make a settlement of all matters
which had come into his hands while
acting sheriff, but that the sheriff re.
fused to accept a settlement unless all
The open accounts, including those
coming over from the administration
of Sheriff Sanders, deceased, should
be made. This he was not in posi-
ton to do, nor was it incumbent on
him to do so, having no knowledge of
them, and he therefore refused to do
so. He had been and is still anxious
to settle for all funds coming into the
Office while it was in his hands and
therefore prayed that the rule be dis
missed and time appointed for set
tlement. He reported $77.S7 on hand.
Judge Benet ordered that the rule be
dismissed and that Mr.. Commander be
required to make a settlement within
reasonable time.
Capt. Keels represented himself and
read his answer which is given in full
herewith. Judge Benet reserved his
decision.
State of South Carolina, Sumter
County-In re D. K. Keels-Rule to
show cause-Return.
To His Honor w. g. Benet, Presiding
Judge:
In answer to the rule to show cause
why ] should not be indicted upon the
presentment of the grand jury to your
honorable court made out by A. w.
Suder, expert bookkeper of the grand
iury,I hereby submit to your honor
able court the following reasons why
1 should not be indicted, to wit:
1. That deny each and every alle'
CATION in A. w. Suder's, bookkeeper,
report to the grand jury except such as
are hereinafter admitted to be true,
and further deny that have been
guilty of any malfeasance or misfeas-
ance in Office.
2. Under the head of "Dispensary
Account" in the aforesaid report deny
the amount of $249.0S being due or
any part thereof other than that
charged to me in the last annual set
tlement on balance sheet $173.65, that
would have been paid, had settlement
been completed and had l not been
advised by those who were connect d
with making settleme mt and by A. w.
Suder, not to pay until after settle.
ment was completed, which amount l
have always been and am now ready
to pay.
3. That under the head "Court Ex-
penses" in the aforesaid report, March
and June terms, 1895, error OF $1OO. 600,
I Know nothing whatever of. l post
ed my court vouchers with number
and to whom made payable. The
clerk of the board of County Commis-
sioners checked the account by the
vouchers and balanced the accounts
as the books will show. Having i'm
plicit confidence in his integrity and
honesty, I have never verified the
account, and If there is an error l am
not aware of it. If upon investiga.
ton I find error am ready to pay the
amount.
a. That under the head "Public
Schools, the sum of 81 ,26l.02 with a
credit by Treasurer H. l.. Scarbor.
ough's receipt Of $1,000, is admitted.
The 81, ,261. .02 is charged to me on. bal
ance sheet in last annual settlement
and known to the county officials
connected with the Treasurer's Office
and many others. This amount l did
not pay because there was at the time
a dispute as TO Dispensary fund and
the balance sheet was not fully
made out and was advised by some
connected with the settlement not to
pay anything more until the settle
ment was completed. Mr.. Suder also
advised me to this course. About the
June term of court. 1896, Mr.. Suder
asked me to pay 81, 200 on this amount,
which did. Shortly after this Mr..
Suder represented to me that the grand
jury had authorized him to collect
money from me to carry on the inves-
tigation. Upon this representation
| I paid him the sum of $6l.02 balance
due on school fund, and hereto ap'
pend copy of his receipt.
Received of D. E. Keels, ex-County
Treasurer, $61.O2, being balance of
amount due on school funds.
A w. SJJDER.