The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-25

Commissioners Vance was befriending
him daily and on two occasions
saved him from dismissal, is equally
astonishing to any fairly honest man
But the contemplate Ramsey Sniff
aes, who was beguiIing himself into
Mr.. Vance's confidence. knew, or
thought he knew, how to play his
game. He judged other men like
unto himself, and doubtless fondIy
cherished his little note book, whicn
was to serve MIN in such good stead,
to blackmail his position back again,
whenever he should be ousted for
either of his iaIliugs, incompetency
or dishonesty. Of these failings, the
former of course had long been
known to US, and the latter we had
good reason to suspect, but unfortu
nately gave him the benefit of the
doubt and retained him as a cour
tesy to member of the board Of
control who lived il the county from
hich be came, and to preserve if
we could harmony in the board, as
we knew bis dismissal would enrage
two members of the board who we're
tied to him by some bonds we were
unable to comprehend.
That blackmall was contemplated
by him and relied on. lie plainly
shown by the threat, which be even
went so far as to give to the Dewspa.
pers, that be would lay bare certain
inside history if his suspension were
made permanent 1t will be noted
by the public that he did not CHOW
off his mouth in his own classic
language, until the board Of control
had invited him to it by making his
suspension permanent very good
evidence that the authorities there did
not fear it's production.
That they, or any of the gentlemen
whom be has SO naliciousiy ma'ign
ed and s1andered had no cause TO fear
his revelations will be indisputably
shown to the public in cue season
That the worst that he knows has not
yet been told by him, as he says, it
is easy to believe, from our kaowl-
edge of him, and of the opportuni-
ties for steaage which be has enjoy
ed during the six years be has been
connected with the dispensary, but
we are equally certain that it will not
be given to the public-at least by
QUITS The public is not asked to
take our word even for the statement
that from Investigations which have
been made of the 80 called charges
of this man, are not only absolutely
groundless, but are outrageous lies,
with thin veneering of truth in
minor particulars only sufficient to
give them piauslbiity A large ma
jority of these assertions must have
been known to QUITS to have been
false when be penned them. as the
public must conclude when the facts
are given them The other state
ments are but twisting Of transac-
tlons gathered by this sneak from the
desks of his fellow clerks while
their backs were turned and infor-
nation sifted through keyhole, OF
which innocent pastime this sanity
ex clerk has occasionally been found
engaged
If the members of the board of
control have really treated this man
with less consideration then be de-
served in his dismissal, as he claims,
and have at times been less harsh
with the shortcomings of other clerks
whom we believe to be conscientious
and honest men-and these short
comings we are glad to say are not
greater than is found among the EN-
poyes of any mercantile house do
ing az equal business-as QUITS
claims that we have done, to this
estimate of mis- character and TO his
abortive attempted blacEmaiI, for we
! a.. udtC lldtuSS WlICO VIC otC ICGl
Gus. and there are some men in the
State who are only too ready TO be-
jieve any assertion derogatory 20 an
cfjcer CT the dispensary) and to this
alone must he attribute the fact
That many of the daily papers OF
the State have dignitied his abusive
and outrageous attack upeu tae char,
acter OF number Of gentleman with
admission te :heir colums. makes
this plain statement to the public
Necessary. Wee the people OF the
State ali acquainted personally With
/ the nen whom he hes mai;gped and
with Oazts. no reply would be made,
and We desire this fact understood.
In Que tine evidence showing the
details OF al transactions that have
teen ques;ionea that merit reply,
will be glven to the public
J Dudley Haseiden.