The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-05-12

to the taxpayers of South Carolina
than aITt seizures made by con-
stables since the dispensary law was
enacted.
And l see from Mr.. Outz's card
that the board raised his salary $40
per month after he had reported the
Bickart proposition to bribe him.
This is the toughest thing | have yet
heard Surely common honesty is
not such rare jewel at the dispensary
that its practice must be rewarded out
of the peoples money.
[ also see from the Columbia papers
that they now all want agita
ticn in regard to the dispen
sary stopped. 1t is now
too late 'They may cry peace
peace but there WILDE nc peace"
until the whole business is investiga
ted from Dan to Beersheba. and from
Alpha to Omega The waters have
been muddied and they must not be
allowed to settle until thoroughly
filtered, and if corrupt methods have
ever been or are now practiced, let
the people know it The people are
not satisfied with the conduct Of the
dispensary, aud demand full and
free investigation.
And when this investigation is had,
not man connected in any manner
whatever with the State government
should have aught to do with it.
There is 20 telling who tnsy be
caught under the deadfall when it
drops. and then it is human nature
for men belonging to the same party
and administration, aud drawing
lucrative salaries, to shield one anoth
er My proposition would be to let
the majority Of that investigation
committee be made up of Conserva-
tives and men not favorable to the
dispensary, and who will go to the
very bottom Then let the doors be
thrown wide open and every word Of
the testimony taken published to the
world The people will then render
the right verdict.
And l would also suggest that ex-
Governor Evans unite with me in de-
manding this investigation. His
name has been connected with the
dispensary scandals but I believe,
when the reported Augean stable is
cleared, that John Gary Evans will
come fosth with clean hands If I
did not think this l would never
have supported him for United States
senator. And l will give you another
bft of nnwritten history, Mr. Editor !:
Mr.. Evans never received but $500
from RhinG, and it is all he will ever
get He was slaughtered by the
unfortunate advice of reputed friends,
and who made him ignore Mr.. John
Duncan and keep sealed lips when
he should have tod the people every-
thing be knew aud made plain and
straight forward statement
am Reformer. because in South
Carolina reform means the absolute
rule of the white majority. So long
as the minority faction repudiated
their party nominees and appealed to
the negro vote, stood by my race
and my party We now have in
South Carolina direct primaries,
where every white voter can repair
to the polls and cast his ballot for the
candidates of his chice TIE min
ority faction has gone into those
primaries in coed faith. and it would
be wrong here after a draw lines
Up here in spartanburg our people
are working together, and better
and kindlier feeling exists than
IN years This is just as il should be
all over orr State When Refoyners
appeal to the people to support can
didates on old fac.ional lines. now
that we have primary, it is wrong
and denying TO the minority lair
treatment. But | am glad to know
that Factional lines are fast being
obIiterated IN the old Palmetto State,
aud when man seeks to revive them
he is an enemy to the upbuilding Of
his state and the peace and happiness
of the people thereof The Couser
vative party constitute a highly res
pectable and intelligent minority, and
they should be given an equal and
fair voice in governing their State
have written thus at length be-
cause | desire to set myself right
before the people If l have erred
in anything it was in over zeal for my
friends. But teel that a generous
public will not charge this against
me | have never held any Office
with emoluments attached, ordesired
fo hnId ono And Mr. Editor I