The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-25
The PUBIC PRINTER.
What Governor Elerbe and Assistant A.
torney General Townsend have to Say
About tho BIuntler Ia tho Election
OF q. II. Cnlvo Rn State Printer.
News and Courier


raised in the House today by Messrs.
Kinard add Blythe, reporter
called on Governor Ellerbo to obtain
his version Of tho matter Of tho olcc,
tion of public printer. Tho Governor
was confined to the Mansion by
sickness, but he promptly gave out
tho following statemont:
"Being officially informed of tho
unfortunate condition Of Mr.. Calvo,
the State printer. 1 communicated
with the legal department of the
Government to ascertain what my
duties wero in tho promises and
what should be dono. | deeming it
necessary to at onco, owing to the
fact that tho reports required by law,
to be made by the different depart
ments of tho State Government and
public institutions woro about ready
for tho printer l was advised by
the Attorney General that it was
my duty to summon tho chairmen Of
the committee on public printing of
the respective houses to elect pub.
lie printer. I then asked Assistant
Attorney General Townsend to give
me tho names Of tho chairmcn He
did SO, and furnished mo tho namo
Of Senator DcDaniel, as chairrnon Of
tho Senate committee, and Repre-
sentative Blythe, as chairman Of tho
House committee. Those gentlo-
men we're at onco notified and met
in Columbia. After full discus
sion and consideration Of the matter,
Mr. Q. a. Calvo was elected to tho po-
sition, the committee boing influenced
to considerable degree and duo ro-
gard being had to tho public inrorost,
by the sad and unfortunate condition
Of Mr.. G. 4. Calvo until I was in
formed Of tho statement made by
Kinard and Blythe in the House to-
day | was never advised or had any
information that tho latter was not
chairman Of tho House committee
and Senator Mcdaniel of tho Senate
committee. These arc tho simple
facts, and if an error was committed
it is due to mistake mado upon
erroneous, but, l am satisfied, honest
information given me-"
Mr.. TowNsEND's STATEMENT
Tho Assistoat Attorney General
has addressed the following letter to
Mr. Klnard
Columbia, S. G., January, 1903.
Hon. j. d. Kinnrd--Dcar Sir: A
few days before the meeting of the
General Assembly Governor Ellorbo
came into this Office in tho absence Of
the Attorney 'ieneral and stated that
Mr.. Charles A. Calvo, tho public
printer, had boon declared lunatic,
and was committed to tho Asylum,
and asked how the vacancy was to be
filled. I showed him tho Act of
1893, and pointed out the section
providing for the appointment of a
public printer by the Governor and
chairman of tho committees on
printing Of the Senate and House OF
Representatives. In tho samo con-
versation the Governor asked me
who were Nchairmen Of the commit.
tees, aud I referred to pad lying
on my table giving tho standing
committees Of tho House, and stated
that MIR. Blythe was chairman of the
House committee. A list Of tho
standing committees of tho Senate
was found, and I ascertainod that
Mr.. Ragan was chairman Of tho
committee, but remarked that ho had
resigned, and | supposed Mr. Nc
Daniel, tho next name on the com
mitteo would be- authorized to act
under tho circumstances as chair
man. This was all that was said
Tho next heard Of this matter wa.
q day or two afterwards, when {
message was received from the Coy
ernor that he desired to soc me.
went to the Executive chamber anC
found Mr.. Blythe and Mr.. Mechanic
there. The Governor asked mo tt
approve the bond Of Mr.. Calvo, tn,
appointtee, which | at first declined
to do, but afterwards consented to dc
80. A written appointment wa:
then prepared Mr.. Calvo which was
signed. At tho time / stated that
Mr.. Blythe was chairman, L believed
that ho was and did not discover
had been misled by the pad until to
day. The pad is still on my table
Yours very truly,