Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-01-28

with his bargain as it existed hereto
fore; but on account of the uncertain
ty of the location of the chain gang du-
ring the next two years, was afraid
to risk another bid.
Mr.. Stanton called up the petition
of citizens of Bethel township asking
for the use of the chain gang for the
building of approaches to bridge over
Beaver Dam creek. This brought up
discussion of the chain gang ques-
tion. Mr.. Wilkerson said the people
in different parts of the county were
growing very restless about the man.
agement of this institution. He be-
lieved in good roads and realized that
they could not be had without ex-
pense but at the same time he thought
that the chain gang should be moved
about sufficiently to give all the town
ships chance to see it. Three months
in a township would be about right he
thought.
Mr.. Miller said be believed in per-
mauent work. Temporary work was
more expensive in the long run. He
suggested that the board leave the
disposition of the chaingang to its
successors, and not attempt to bind
them by any action taken now. He
went on to say that if the highest bid
is to be accepted, he was sure he could
take the institution away over to the
Eastern side.
Mr.. Stanton moved that 80 soon as
the chaingang finishes the work upon
which it is now engaged, it be sent to
work on the approaches to the Beaver
Dam bridge, already referred to, and
that it be allowed to remain in Bethel
township for period of three months.
Mr.. Gwin moved 10 amend so as to
provide that after three months in
Bethel, the institution be sent 10 Bull
locks Creek. The motion, as amend
ed, carried by vote of to 2.
The next matter TO receive attention
was a number of applications for the
position of superintendent of the chain
gang. How the question came up, the
reporter has not been able to learn.
There was no official notification to
anybody through the press, or other.
wise, to the effect that there was to be-
any change. There had been no reso-
luton of the board calling for bids.
The reporter asked Supervisor Culp,
on Wednesday morning, if he knew
how the thing came about, and he
replied that he did not know. Any
how, there were several applications,
and they were as follows:
J. A. Thomas offered to take the po-
sition at $25 a month.
w. L. Wallace wanted. the position
of superintendent, and asked that If
he was not elected to the position of
superintendent, he would like to be
guard.
There was letter from j. M. Neely
asking as to whether the board wanted
new superintendent, and if so, at
what price.
Commissioner Miller presented the
name of G. F. Gordon as candidate,
and stated that, if elected, Mr.. Cor
don would expect salary of $40 a
month.
The vote was taken by ballot and
"without speeches" IL resulted as
follows: Culp 4, Gordon 2. The su-
pervisor, of course, did not vote.
After the election, Commissioner
Wilkerson said that there were in cir
culation rumors about the superinten-
dency of the chain gang which he
thought ought to be investigated. He
said that there had been reports of
gambling, drunkenness and absence
from duty. Whether these things
were true or not he did not know
but he was sure that the place was
too important and too responsible to
be filled by superintendent OF the
character indicated. The chain gang
bills that come into the board for
payment are constantly getting lar
ger; there is a loose screw some
where, and it seems that the manage
ment should be closer. He wanted
to know whether it would not be well
to put the superintendent under a bond
that would be sufficient to protect the
interests of the county. He also sug-
gested that there should be q system
of reports that would keep the board
constantly advised as to monthly ex-
penses. He wanted to know whether
or not the chaingang could not pur-
chase its supplies by wholesale, rather
than by retail /; it seemed to him that
this would be cheaper. He did not
make any charge or insinuation; but
he considered the matter generally
a very important one that should be
watched up closely.
Mr.. Stanton said that he had heard
certain reports about the management
.Lo obo;,oono esnecially during the