The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-28


aut 10 others.
Mr Moise in,rodaced the following amend
msns to Nc Rhodes resolution
Tia, 80 much Of ehs answer aud exhibits as
are in reply to the contest dlsd BY Mr.. aose'
be Sled.
Seconded by Mr.. Scarborough.
The amendment vas opposed by Mr.. Rey'
aolds, es it would preven. the Introduction
of all their evidence and they had right
under the action of the state committee, to
recount every box and to bring evidence In
support Of dsmsnd for recount.
Ar.Dabes opposed the amendment, ss be
was sure that the state COMMITTEES cossem'
plated that the county COMMITTEES would 60
into she whole matte. aud sift it TO tbs bot
tom and GET at the facts.
Mr. Naupieg thought that time was being
consumed in unnecessary discussion, that the
whole purpose in recommistiDg the contest to
shs county committee was to do justice to all
parties and to get at the facts He wanted all
the facss to be brought out aud to 60 on rec
crd. he therefore moved to table Mr.. Noises
amendment. Seconded by Mr. Dsbba.
Mr.. Noise stated that he did not want 20
be misunderstood. he did aot want to shut
out evidence but he simply objected to the
Introduction of new matter and the unneces-
ssry proloegasion Of the case.
M.. Dabbs said he favored thorough
investigation and the introduction Of all evi-
dence obtaInable, 80 that the committee
could 90 clear to the bottom and settle the
matter finally.
The Noise ameoamsn, was tabled on an
Aye sod No. vote.
The Rhodes motion vas put to vote and
carried.
N,. Rsyaolds read the answer of Ar. Man
ming and mass of afidavits 10 rebuttal Of
the allegations contained in the Complaint of
Mr.. Moses and in support Of charges of
various irregularities at different precincts.
The only affidavit that caused discussion
was one by Bic. j. S. Dwight to the effect
that during the meeting of the committee
when the returns OF the FIRST primary were
sabulated he saw ''a man sitting 10 the Court
Reuss with bis hand in one of the ballot
boxes" from which the managers return had
been taken, but which still contained the
ballots. BE was asked to give the name of
the msa and to have the name inserted ip the
body OF the aftidayit &c stated that the
man referred to was Mr. W. G. Wells, but
he disclai1ed any intention to charge that
Ms. Wells was tampering with the ballots or
that fraud was committed.
Mr.. Wells. who was present, rose to a
question Of personal privilege and stated that
be did open one Of tie boxes at the time
specified and examined some of the ballots,
but that be was men.bes Of the committee,
aud be looked into the box 10 the presence of
the fnli committee while the returns were
beiog tabulated.
Both Xessts. Shand and Reynolds hastened
to disclain sny intention to imputs freud or
to cas, reflection on Mr.. Wells hy the 10.
sroduction of the sfSdavit, which was
brought out solely for the parrose Of Illus.
srating aod showing how easy it would have
been to sanper with the ballot boxes when
they were exposed in the Court House.
The Secretary was directed to reduce the
statement of Mr. Wells to writing.
A motion wss make and carried to proceed
TO recoun, the votes in the contested boxes.
Sumter box was ars, takeo up and ia in
prog,ess when this report was closed
Mes,rs. E. ". Dabbs, 6. D. Smith, W. D