The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-04-04
A NEW BLIND TIGER.
The Charleston Custom House
Stores contraband Liquor,
AN UGLY LOOKING AFFAIR.

AN UGLY LOOKING AFFAIR.
Special Agents Of The United
States Treasury Department
Will investigate $he
Matter.
It is charged by State constables that
contraband liquor was being stored in
the United States States. Custom House
at Charleston, and the matter is to be
investigated by special agents Of the
United States treasury department.
! The Columbia State says Thursday tele,
grams we're flying back and forth be.
tween Charleston, Columbia and Wash
ington The liquor eonstables are to
keep close watch on the custom house
pending the Investigation by the Federal
authorities. Thursday Gov. Nc
Sweeney made public allthe telegraphic
and other CORE -pondence over the
thoroughly Interesting matter. On
Wed uesday the governor received the
following letter:
Charleston. S. c., March 9th, 1900.
Governor Miles 3. Mes seeney, Colum-
Dis, 5. G.
Dear Sir: l Blank has liquor stored
in the Unlted States tom house here
on the ground floor. MesSrs. Dudley
and NuDpamakcr saw Blank's wagon
70 out from the custom house loaded
with whiskey early this mornipg; the
driver ran the horse aud made lis es-
cane. | have known for some time that
Blank was keeping his liquor there. l
know that he has Qlautlty there nov.
went at once 10 Judge Simontons Of
fee and stated the facts to him. He
said that the government did not allow
such trafhc on their premises. He told
me to 90 at oucc TO the collector at the
custom hou,e and state to him the facts.
| told Judge Simonton that, from my
information, one would judge that the
collector was friendly with Blank and
would not allow ne to 60 through the
department. He said that if the col
lection refused, TO state the facts to So
licitor JeTvey. | then went to the col
lector. He got mad, refused to allow
me TO go through the departments and
delied that there was any whlskey
stored there. l then went TO the solici-
tor aud reported the facts to him. He
referred me to the ULitcd States mar
sha,, who, with Judge Simon,on, could
make arrangements about it. l saw the
marshal, who said 10 have the building
guarded and to make full report to
you at once and ask you to wire the
secretary of the treasury at once. We
will guard the building, and hope that
you will wire at once. Since | have
been on this matter have learned that
this is general storing place for blind
tiger and wholesale liquor dealers, aud
that there is quantity of whiskey
stored there. | know this to be true
and can furnish proof if necessary.
Respectfully,
S. 7. Howie,
Chief Constable.
This was sent to Howie:
Columbia, S. c., March %.
S. T. Howie, Charleston, S. G:
Continue to carefully watch building.
Will give matter attention at once.
n. B McSweeney,
Governor of South Carolina.
Then the following came from
Charleston:
Charleston. S. c., March %.
Gov. McSSeeney, Columbia, S. c.:
In addition to the iettermailed liquor,
is not imported Bank gets it from
Savannah, has been storing there six
years. Marshal says to wire secretary
of the treasury. s. I. HOWE.
This message was sent to the secre-
tary Of the treasury:
Coluubls, S. c., March %.
Honorable Secretary Of the Treasury,
Washington, D. g.:
Have infornation that contraband
liquor, are stored for illicit sale in Gus,
tom house at Charleston. Upon the
suggestion Of Jugde Slmonton and the
United States marshal, | r,qIest that
you direct the marshal to investigate
the case and permit the Stare dispen-
sary cons,abes to accompany hun.
NJ B NcS"eeney,
Governor of South Carolina
Yesterday this reached the governor
from Washington:
Washington, D c., March 28
Gov NJ B McSseepey, Columbia s. G:
Your telegram Of this Gate was sub
mitled to the United States attorney
general for such action as he may deem
proper. y l.. Spaulsln,
Assistant Secretary.
The reply was as follows:
To y. L. Spauldiug, Assistant Secrc-
tary Of the Treasury, Washington,
D e.:
Have ascertaincd that contrabaud
Hhi.key from Savannah, Ga, has been
stored in custom house for several
years. Please direct attorney general
TO communicate with this Office by wire
at once. NJ B. McSweeney,
Governor.
Senator Tillnan was in the city and
he took hand in the mater, wiring as
follows:
10 Hon: Lyman Gago: Secretary OF the
Treasury, Washington, D c.:
Governor McSseency wired you yes.
terday about coutrabaud liQIor stored
in the custom house at Charleston. l