The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-07
COLLECTED FOR BOGUS CASES.
A SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSIONERS
UNDER A CLOUD.

Hampton VIII Attend the Reunion
Despite His Recent Misfortune.
Hotel for COIumbia-R. n. TOIbert
Wants to Return to His Home.
Regulates Jim TOIbert's Action.
Columbia, S. c. May 6.-It is a coinci-
dence that just when the President par
dons Charles p. Barrett of Spartanburg,
who was convicted of committing frauds
by use of the mails, another fraud case
comes up from the same town, but in the
last case the parties are of more promi-
nence.
W. Smith Thomson, United States COM
missioner at spartanburg, one of the law
yers accused of fraudulent practices was
the most popular attorney In his county.
For eight years he was probate judge. and
four years ago, when a candidate for so
ljcitor, received the support of his county
against one of the strongest solicitors in
the state.
c. p. Sims, the law partner of Thoma-
son, also implicated, is a native of Union
county, having moved to Spartanburg a
few months ago.
marshal, is the third man implicated IN
| this conspiracy against Uncle Sam. Rob
| inson is the only one who will say any
thing, and he vehemently maintains his
innocence.
The lawyers have already been called
on by Judge Brawley to show cause why
they should not be debarred from prac-
tice in United States courts. That was
the initial step, and criminal prosecutions
will follow All of them VIII be indicted
for conspiracy to defraud the government.
The way the scheme worked the gov
eminent was in costs, Bogus cases would
be brought before Thomson, the commits
sioner, and the most damaging testimony
would be- given against purely imaginary
! people. Sims acted as defendants attor-
| ney and Robinson as prosecutor.
For a time they prospered, but hnaliy
| suspicion was aroused, and government
detectives were set to work.
Thomson is connected by marriage
| with some of the best families In the
| Piedmont section.
Gen. HamptOn's Misfortune.
Despite his recent misfortune in the loss
of his house with almost all his worldly
goods. Gen Hampton viii be in Charles
ton next week with the Confederate vet
Grams. He spoke to-day in warm com-
mendation Of the work of Mr. Underwood
of Chicago in his efforts to raise 100000
for a Confederate battle abbey, and called
attention to several life-size portraits Mr.
Underwood will give as his own dona-
ton.
Gen. Hampton saw them while in Wash
ington recently. They are to be sent to
ss4--- I'D AZ
Auditorium on Tuesday night next. They
are portraits of five generals, Lee, jack
son, Forrest, Gordon and Hampton
Il noted with surprise" said the gen.
eral, that the artist hadn't forgotten
Forrest was left-handed" He did not
think the one of himself a perfect like
ness, but. laughing as the young lady
with him said it was the handsomest N
the group, ceased criticism.
New Hotel for Columbia.
The proposition of a New England capt.
: taiist and hotel man TO build and con-
duct a 100000 hotel in Columbia, provid-
ed the city furnished a site, will be taken
advantage of.
The railroad center Of South Carolina
and on the line of travel from the North
to Florida and Cuba, Columbia has nevsr
had a hotel that was inviting to tourists.
The city has suffered peculiarly in this
respect, but it was the one thing her citl-
zens could not get together on. An ex-
cellent hotel site can be obtained within
the city limits for $4,000.
1t is proposed to build a house with ac-
commodations for $50 people and suited to
, the requirements of the exacting North
ern tourists
TOlbert Wants to Return.
r. r. Tolbert, one of the men expelled
from the Phoenix section of Greenwood
county because Of his political career, and
who is contesting the seat Of Congressman
Lattimer, wishes to return to his home
and through a resident of that section has
made an appeal to his former ne,ghbors
AT the outset of his statement he says he
was not to blame for the killing of Mr.
Etheridge or the trouble at Phoenix.
"If a year ago." said he, II could have
2 foreseen what was going to occur, would
not have accepted the nomination for Con
gress. 1 have been a Republican, and
have never been afraid or ashamed to de
clare my principles. But 1 have never
: / knowingly given any man advice tha
would tend to cause him to set at deffanc,
any law. Why should I desire to brine
about a state of lawlessness? My home il
in Abbeville, and a large part of my in
terests in Greenwood county; all that
E hold dear in life is centered in those coun
ties certainly have interest in preserv
ing order and thought until last Novembtl
< that my neighbors gave me credit for try
ing to do so.
Not in Favor of Negroes.
= ut has been charged that I have to,
= strong prediction for the negro in poll
< tics. l am not, and never have BEEN il
. favor of negroes holding office 1 am no
e and never have been in favor of any man
e white or black, exercising the right of SUI
frage unless he is qualified to do so. an
:, a believer in white supremacy in tn
. broadcast sense of the term and will go a
q far as any man to defend 1t.
But there is no danger of negro demon
= nation and no necessity for the white
n committing a crime against the weake
; race.
e II want to go back to my home will
: my wife and children and live there II
e peace till the end of my days. I want t
a have the friendship and good will of al
: my neighbors and I am sure when the
n understand me clearly I will have it t
e the fullest extent"