The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-12
Raklng Up Old Scandals.
"A Search for the Records Of
Dispensary Shortages. i

TO bs opened up ~ . result Of inquiries
nov 10 progress. 10 no department of
tho State government. perhaps, have
there been - macy shortages aOd aots
OF misconduct as 10 the State dispen.
cary, but for this the men Who have
been honest aud strsight are to be held
responsible.
This moroing M Huo.er A. Gibbes.
. young lawyer Of the city. applied to
the State dispsusary for access to the
records Of the institution. Mr. Gibbes
Wss referred to Chsirmso Williaus,
Who stated that hs wished to know for
whom the Information Vas soueht aud
What use Vas to be made OF it and
sxsetly What Wss wanted, sod that tho
board would 90 operate 10 securing tho
ioformssion. M Gibbss STATED that be
woald say that be represented Mr. Wu
b. Lylss. . leading attorney. bat fur
thsr than this be wss not prepared to
60. Mr. Williams said that he wished
10 justice to the board to know What
use was to be made Of the Information,
who Was represented. and to place tho
coalition that il the Information %.
cured Do published as all that it be pub.
lishsd 10 full and not 10 part.
Mr. Gibbss said he would consult
Mr. Lylss aud inform bin Of Mr..
Williaws's position.
Mr.. Lylss made immediate reply,
which will be fouod 10 quotations 10 the
6rst part Of Mr.. Williaws's reply.
The position Of Nj Lyles aud Mr..
Williams are both fully Sc. forth in tho
following letter:
Columbis. September 6. 1900.
Mr.. w. H. Lyles, Columhis, 8. G.
Dear Sir: Your favor of this date to
hand. stating: "As my request this
morning Mr.. Hunter A Gibbes of this
Bar. called at the dispeosary for tho
purpose Of examining the special re.
por. made 6y Inspectors Moody sod
Ysldell about two years ago. while Mr..
D. M. Miles vas ehsirmsn of the
board. 10 wh;ch numbers Of shortages
Of dispensers we're reported. among
them the shortage Of tho dispenser at
Uoioo. aud Of dispenser No 2 at Spar.
tsnburg. aud of ooe .. Summerville
sod Lancaster, IS I am infor med
These, as my Information goes. not
being oil. l understand that you de.
cliued to show this report to Mr..
Gibbes unless | would state the object
which had 10 examining it. and
lake oersoio pledges With reference to
the publication Of it aud state for
whom I Was acting would say that
10 this matter | represent . citizen Of
South Carolina. who has tho right OF
socess to this paper - . public record.
and / desire the Information to make
suoh use Of it ~ the interest Of my
client may dictate to my own mind.
sod. therefore. would be very glad II
you sould allow Mr.. Gibbss to have .
copy Of that report made. make this
demand ~ . right and ,.uss that it
will be complied With "
10 reply would state that Mr.
Gibbes did come and ask TO be allowed
TO exsmins the records 10 the dispen-
sary. very naturally asked bim what
particular records be desired to
examine. whom be Was representing
and for what purpose. to none Of
which questions | vas able to get a
satisfactory reply After he started
that you bad scot biu | then told him
to get . statement from you 10 writing
as to whom you represented. aud your
purpose 10 asking, aud if for publioa
,ioo The ooly "plcdge" exscsed was
that all the facts revealed by the
records be published We s,aud
ready to allow the inspection and
publication of every record 10 our
cfios, provided the whole truth is pub.
lisaed, sud 90, gsrbled statements.
aod We think that the oourtey was at
leas, due Us by Mr. Gibbes and your.
self that we be Informed as to your
purpose 10 desiring to examine them.
The General Assembly has appoint
CO q ccmmittee 10 exsniue the trans
actions Of the dispensary. aud Mr.
Sharpe, OF that committee. is present,
aud he. together With she other mem.
bess OF the board Of directors. approve
tie above II the result Of your
Investigation be Published We respect.
fully request the publication Of this
letter sloog With it. Very respectfully.
l.. D. Williams. Chairmsu.
Mr. Gibbes presented Mr.. Ly!es's
letter asd Mr.. Williams then made 40
appointment by which Mr. Gibbes
could begin work az O'Clock this
afternoon
1t appears from tho letter that tho
ooly Information that is desired is the
special report Of shortages made about
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