The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-23


afternoon Tompkins and myself went
to the Governor and stated the case.
l told him exactly what Scruggs had
told me hadn't seen my sons. The
Governor told us to remain quiet; he'd
bring it out at the proper time, and
would see if Scruggs would report. l
think it was Tompkins who said we
had reported the matter to the proper
authority, and it was in his hands.
Everything was explained. Nothing
was kept hidden as to my connec-
tion or non connectionon with it.
Was that desk given you as an indI
vidual or for the Dispensary2
Mr.. White said it was for me, pro-
vided I'd keep it where it could bs seen
Mr.. Abney: In February were you
cogn:zant of any presents given 10
your sou James, -.
Mr.. Mixson: Nothing except d!a'
mond pin.
Did you make any purchases IRON
Live Oak after Scruggs return.
| think maybe some special orders
came in and were sent out by Sruggs.
When discovered it made him stop
sending in special orders to them.
Mr.. Abney: Have you ever receiv-
ed secret commissions or rebates, di-
rectly or Indirectly, had any influence
exerted on you to favor one against
another whiskey house2
Mr.. Mixson: Never. Inever receiv-
ed a cent.
Mr.. Abney asked him from whom
most of the Dulk whiskey was bought,
and whether he had ever received
any inducement from them?
Mr.. Mixson went over the list. Ross
& Co., Baltimore, made no induce
ments. lie bought from Walters be-
cause Governor Evans asked him to.
He said their liquor was good.
Mr.. Abney: 1t is. Uaughter)
Ullman. Goldsmith & Co., offered
no inducements.
Bought from Francis Kelley because
l had 1000 empty barrels on hand
and he promised to take all of them at
81. 25 less freight. if I'd buy cars of
one, two and three X each.
Mr.. Abney: Has any chsrge in writ.
ing or in tangible form ever been
made against you OF taking secret COM
missions or rebates and if so where is
it.2
Colonel Mixson: I've never seen
any I had no knowledge of the con-
duct of my sons. The letter of w. T.
Mixson was read in which he confess.
ed getting commissions. He had never
received a telegram from J. W.. Mix
son from Atlanta concerning whiskey
purchases. had no connection with
him in purchases and never received
any telegram from him about such a
a thing in 1895 or 1896.
Mr.. Abney: Can you tell how the
misrepresentation arose as. to the tele-
gram as far as Mr.. Scruggs is concern
ed2
Colonel Mixson: l know nothing Of
it. I don't recollect such telegram
in any shape or form. at Mr.. Alb
ney's request Colonel Mixson gave the
board authority to inquire for the tel
egram from headquarters.
Mr.. Abney wanted Senator Efrd ex-
amined as to the prices paid for Ii
quors in 1894, he being a member of
the Legislative Committee.
Chairman Jones said that was un.
necessary. The board admits that.
Mr.. Williams: What amounts did
Scruggs report your sons as receiying9
Colonel Mixson: / don't recollect.
I was worried. don't challenge the
correctness of his statement.
Why did the Live Oak Company
give your sons this money!
I don't know nothing about it.
Mr.. Williams: You know the sup
position of the public. You know
they wouldn't give that money unless
they thought they had influence.
Mr.. Mixson: They may have
thought so but / had no reason to
think they were getting money.
BARBER QUESTIONS.
Will you state what induced you TO
write a letter of introduction for r.
M. Mixson?
He asked me to do so. He knew [
knew Hubbell. He did not state his
purpose. He may have said some
thing about shipments. Hubbell was
large shipper to Macon and Mixson
wasn't getting any of the business for
his road. had nothing to indicate
that he was going into the whiskey
business as he seems to have done.
Didn't know it until this letter was
published. Hubbell told Governor
Tillman about it. He never told me
verbally or otherwise.
As to J. w. Mixson's trip to Cincin-
natl, he says he went the day before |
left for Old Point. knew he was 60
ing to Cincinnati on bicycle business.
He went to see the Peerless Manufac-
turing Company. When came
back he was at home. / had been
gone eight or ten days. didn't know
w. It. contemplated going in the liqu-
OR business.
In his letter w. r. speaks about you
advising "against it," What was
that?
He asked me about representing
Myers, Pitts q Co., Baltimore. Don't
remember whether it was subsequent
or prior to my appointment. Never
knew anything about w. #. orJ w.
receiving money until Scryggs told
me.
| WHO OFFERED REBATES
Did any other but Hubbell offer
you Inducements
White offered me half his commits
sion. Aahalovitch, Fletcher 81
Go. Of Cincinnati offered rebates
to me individually. So did Mr..
Blanck of Charleston, who said
he represented the Purity Distill-
ing Company. purchased some after
that from Mahalovitch and Live Oak,