The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-08-04

visited by correspondent Of The News
aud Courier and written up il great
shape I know the correspondent, aud
he 40 doubt he told the whole tru' b about
that interview. He gave the re2or:sr
to understand that the metropolitan po-
lice would be removed
During the session of the last
legislature Thos. w. Bacot Of
Charleston had frequent interviews
with Gov. Ellerbe about the removal
of the metropolitan police, and told
Gov. Eilerbe that Dr.. Illerton was
going TO Introduce bill to repeal
the metropolitan act Representa-
tive Illerton of Florence county and
the representative of Anderson
county both talked with Gov Ellerbe
and he assured each of them that he
would remove the metropolitan police
from Charleston. Those representa-
tiyes believing that the governor
meant what he said took no steps
themselves and prevented any iegls
lation upon the metropolitan police.
Before the adjournment of the leg
;slature Gov E.Ierbe assured select
few that he would not re.
move the metropolitan police until
every member of the city council
signed an agreement in writing to
enforce the dispensary law.
At the time Mr Bacot was work
ing 80 zealously for Charleston, Gov.
ElIerbe promised several persons that
he would exact from the mayor of
Charleston an agreement in writing
TO be signed by every member of the
council to enforce the dispensary
law.
This is admitted by Gov. Ellerbe
in this interview. But did the gov
ernor tell Representative llcrton,
Ashley or Bacot of this No. IL was
kept profound secret from them
I knew nothing Of it. was fighting
the dispensary law Tt was known
only to the favored few and was
carefully guarded Gov. Ellerbe
knew that of the "a aldermen that at
least six were political and personal
friends Of Chief Martin and some
others would not sign any paper to
enforce the dispensary law.
5 Before the adjournment of the leg
islature Chief Martin knew the terms
which would be imposed On March
i. Mayor Smyth was informed by
Gov. Ellerbe that he would take up
the metropolitan police matter after
the adjournment Of the Legislature,
March 4th
Mayor Smyth fixed the 9th for the
conference
Now ma1k. Mayor Smyth in this
conference proposed to have the
council pass an ordinance to enforce
the dispensary law This could be
done by majority or at most two
LulEOS -tOtS VI TIC sCOUuSH
But Gov. Ellerbe said he would
not 5umiliate the people of Charles
ton by having them to pass an ordi-
nance. Coy. Ellerbe had in advance
prepared a typewriter agreement
and presented it to Mayor Smytb
The paper was an Innocent look
ing affair, and with some 'modifca
tons Mayor smyth took it to
Charleston for signatures Did Gov
Ellerbe tell Mayor Symth that the
paper must be signed by every one
of the aldermen No; Mayor
Smy,h says be never for moment
thought it was to be signed by all !;
if he had he would not have carried
i. to Charleston The paper was
presented on the 9Th for the council
to sign it. Of the "a, II signed, 6
refused to sign, l was out Of the
city, but afterwards signed The
paper was sent to Columbia to Gov.
Ellerte as signed He refused TO
remove the metropolitan police be.
cause all did not sign
Did Gov. Ellerbe give the mayor
of Charleston the assurance he had
given "tbe favored few ? No !!
Did Gov Ellerbe tell Mayor Smith
that he as late as the 2Sth of Febru
ary had assured a friend that that the
metropolitan police would not be re-
moved until each of the aldermen
signed ? No!
A friend of Chief Martin wrote
Gov Ellerbe aud said I have writ.
ten to friends ia Charleston that you
would not remove the metropolitan
police until all the aldermen signed
it. | have no wish to misstate your
position. so | wish to know if | am
correct. "
This letter was written afier the
adjournment of the Legislature on
March 4th
This letter Gov. ElIerbe answered
Hf-.L O.L