The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-10-12
ENFORCING THE LAW.
Chairman Haselden Gives Dispensers
Severe Warning.

The action OF the State board OF con-
troll in closing the diSpenSary at Ches-
ter has been subject of considerable
comment. The action Of the board sim
ply sustained Chairman Haselden,
who had previously ordered the dispen
sary closed.
In justice to himself, in view of the
criticism. Mr.. HaSelden makes the fol-
lowing statement Of the causes which
prompted him to take such steps:
The first monthly stock taking after
Mr.. Mcdaniel was elected dispenser,
there occurred shortage of s139.34.
This happened under T. NJ Mixsons
administration and a suit for this
amount was instituted against Dispen-
ser [. Med. Hood. The trial resulted
in their favor last summer. The citi-
zcns of Chester who heard and are
familiar with the case know that the
suit was lost on account OF the county
board not doing its duty properly.
In April, 1898, Inspector H. 4. Ed
wards found Mr.. J. NJ. Mcdaniel dis
penser at Chsster behind in his accounts
to the amount Of 1850, which amount
the dispenser paid.
Having had law suit there about
shortage of $739.34 and wishing to
avoid another one, the following letter
was sent Mr.. Mcdaniel:
Columbia, S. c.. May y, 1898.
J. NJ. Mcdaniel. Chester, S. &.
Dear Sir: | am instructed by the
board of control to write you in refer
ence to your shortage as dispenser at
Chester. The board regrets very much
to speak so plainly about this matter,
but duty forces them to be plain with
you and say that they cannot allow
any further shortage. To say the least
Of it, with faithful discharge Of duty
in business-like way, there is no rea-
son for shortage to occur, unless by
fire or robbery, and let me beg that
you guard against anything Of the kind
in the future, for forbearance will cease
to be virtue of the board.
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) J. Dudley Haselden,
Chairman.
j. B. (From Letter Book ''5,' page
453.)
In June. the very next month. In
spector W. J. Hill found him short or
behind $43 II, which amount the dis
penser paid. 1t seems that kindly
warning given him profted him moth
ing, and in September, 1898, Inspector
H. A. Edwards again found him short
or behind $90.34, which amount was
paid. We do not know whether the
county's profits on these shortages have
been paid to the county or not.
The inspectors who checked up Nc
Daniel reported that they do not be-
lieve him dishonest, but incompetent
careless or indifferent as to conduct Of
the dispensary in a business-like man
ner. We do not charge him with dis
honesty, but he has not conducted the
business as it should be done and the
board got tired of it.
He is not the first one to be dis
charged and perhaps will not be the
last. 1t is my intention to sec to it
that every dispenser shall do his whole
duty, and if he fails to do so it matters
not who he is, l shall ask for his re-
moval and, Judging by the boards ac-
tion in sustaining me in ordering Mr..
McDaniel's removal, | believe they
will back me in this. | would not give
this statement were it not for the
article of the correspondent from Ches-
ter to The State a fews days ago. l
want the people in Chester to know
that Mr.. Mcdaniel was warned and
begged to keep his dispensary business
strait, but it seems he profted not by
it and he must take the consequences.