The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-19

of the board and each employe has
treated us with marked courtesy. But
they have drawn our name into this
business, and now we demand that the
| fullest rays be turned upon the State
Dispepsary. and each and every Off
cial, from the lowest to the highest,
who is now, or ever has been, connect
ed with the Dispensary in any manner
whatever, be put through thorough
investigation. We demanded when
the Legislature was in session last
January that this be done; but it is
not too late yet Lst the light shine,
and brand every one who cannot
stand its fullest glare. The people
don't want any sham investigation,
but let it be full and complete. The
memb bers of the State Board should do.
mand it, and Governor Ellerbe should
order it. The Headlight will ring in
to the ears of the people those charg-
es until we are needed. The cost will
be but nominal, for it will not be nec-
essary to summon single witness.
All the evidence needed is at hand.
But even did that investigation con-
sumo the entire profits of the Dispen-
sary for a year, it should be had. The
State South Carolina cannot at
afford to condone corruption or
cover up rascality. Investigate! In
vestigatel Investigate
Since our editorial page has been
put in type, We see an affidavit from
Messrs. Williams and Douthit, stating
that while Mr.. Scruggs did give them
cigars he did not say that they came
from among the confscated goods. So
this simply narrow TVS down to question
of veracity between three men. When
the Dispensary investigation has been
completed, and all the facts and evil
dence has been laid before the people,
they will quickly make up their minds
as to which affidavit to believe.
Every member of the State Board has
treated US with marked courtesy, and
this paper has no feelings in the mat.
ter save desire to have full and
free investigation and the light turn.
ed on. We also see it is suggested
that the Dispensary agitation had best
be dropped, as it has gone farenough.
| No stree. Since the waters have been
muddied, we must not let them set.
tie until thoroughly filtered, and If
there is corruption let it be made pub
lie and the whole thing be purified.
Money Iu wasps.
Along the banks of the Cape Fear
river in North Carolina are 10 wlands,
behind which lies a higher level, or
bench. The lowlands are subject to
more or less frequent overflow by
freshets, which are destructive to
crops, planted thereon. A number OF
| years ago a farmer, resident in the
vicinity, made a very comfortable
.um of money by insuring his neigh
bors crops against these freshets. His
unvarying success as an insurer was
for many years prosfund mystery to
the people of the regions. The years
when he has declined to insure were
invariably years of destructive over
flow. The years when he was willing
Insure were equally certain to be sea-
sons OF exemptions from disaster. In
the earlier days in New England this
mans reading of the future would
have brought him some unpleasant ex-
perience as a dabbler, if not an adept.
| in black art. In the middle ages OF
Europe he would have been revered
as prophet and saint. Yet his infor'
nation came from no occult source.
Observation had show him that GER
tain species of wasp, which built Its
home in the ground, built some years
| in the lowlands, and other years upon
the higher level. Experience taught
him that when the wasps built on the
lowlands there were no freshets, and
when they built on the higher ground
the lower would, some time during the
season, be submerged. The man had
simply noted an instance OF that little
understood presence manifested by
certain insects and animals, better
knowledge of which night even be OF
service to our national weather bureau.
1t was only at his death that he re-
vealed his secret.