The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-03-01
Neal Invites an Investigation.
Denies All Charges of Shortage in a
General Way.

Denies All Charges Of Shortage in a
| General Way.
The Committee Has Begun Work
Expert Accountant Commences
Examination of the Books. Will
Meet Again Next Month.
Columbia State Feb 20.
Col. ". A. Neal, superintendent of
the state penitentiary, returned to
Columbia late Tuesday night, after
spending some time in Anderson on
personal and State business COM
bined.
On account of the snow storm,
Col. Neal was kept indoors for five
days at his sisters home and this
delayed his return to this city. When
seen in regard to matters in which
his official rectitude has been recent
ly questioned, Col. Neal talked freely
in general way.
He began by saying the reports
that be was short in his accounts
were all rot and totally untrue. He
said that when the ofice is turned
over to his successor everything will
be found to be correct and in perfect
condition so far as the accounts and
management are concerned. He in-
vited full investigation and was
glad that a Legislative committee has
been appointed for that purpose and
he would aid them in any way posi-
BILE. He stated he had nothing
whatever to fear from an investiga-
tion. The committee, he said, has
only one man on it who voted for
him, but the members are all fair,
square men and would do what was
right.
Col. Neal said he had had a pleas
ant talk yesterday morning with his
successor, Capt. Griffith, and it had
been arranged that Col. Neal should
give up the Office right after the next
directors meeting, which takes place
March s.
Col. Neal said he would take great
pleasure in giving Capt. Griffith all
possible information about the insti-
tuition and it's workings and intended
to 60 with Capt. Griffith to the State
farms and explain everything. He
said that the only thing which was
not in perfect order was one or two
dams on the DeSaussure and Reed
farms, which had been Injured by
the recent high water in the Wateree.
The outstanding contracts, he said,
were all excellent, and Capt. Griffith's
administration ought to be very sue
cessfol. Col. Neal remarked that he
had held the office for six years,
which was about as long as any man
ever held it, and be was not at all
disgruntled at his defeat nor has he
any feelings of resentment towards
those who opposed him. He expects
to go back to his farm near Easley,
retire from politics and endeavor to
regain his health. His family will
leave for their home near Easley on
Saturday. Col. Neal will 60 with
them and return in a few days.
The joint Legislative investigating
committee met yesterday morning at
the penitentiary. The members are
Senators Livingstone and Hay and
Representatives Stevenson, Patton
and Mellow. Mr.. Stevenson is chair
man by the vote of the committee.
The committee heard statement
from Mr.. T. j. Cunningham, chair
man of the board of directors, and
elected Mr.. John Taylor, formerly of
the state treasurer's office, as their
expert to examine the books of the
pepitentiary.
Mr.. TaJ lor was authorized to be-
gin at once and willinvestigate every
thing from the beginning to the end
of Col. Meals administration as su-
perintendent.
The committee will meet next on
March S to II clock, when the ex-
pert is expected to make at least a
partial report upon the condition of
affairs. The meetings will be open
and the representatives of the press
and all others are at liberty to be
present during the sessions. 1t is
possible that the work Of taking tes-
timony will begin at this time.
Mr.. Stevenson, the chairman. stat
ed that the committee had merely
started the work yesterday and no
action was taken nor was anything
brought before them except the
statement Of Mr. Cunningham, which