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

10 Oo opeoeu up 90 'eeoi' W 'Gd
now 10 progress In no department Of
the State government, perhaps, have
there been as many shortages and acts
Of misconduct as in the State dispeo'
sary, but for this the men who bave
been honest aud straight are to be held
responsible.
This morning Mr. Hunter a. Gibbes.
young lawyer of the city. applied to
the State dispensary for access to the
records of the institution. Mr. Gibbes
was referred to Chairman Williams.
who stated that he wished to know for
whom the information vas sought and
what use was to be made Of it and
| exactly what was wanted, and that the
board would 90 operate in securing the
informstion. Mr. Gibbes stated that he
would say that he represented Mr. Wm
n. Lyles, leading attorney. but fur
ther than this he was not prepared to
20. Mr. Williams said that he wished
in Justice to the board to know what
use was to be made of the Information.
who was represented. and to place the
condition that if the Information se-
cured be published at all that it be pub.
lished in full and not in part.
Mr. Gibbes said he would consult
Mr.. Lyles and inform him Of Mr..
Williams's position.
MIR. Lyles made immediate reply,
which will be found 10 quotations in the
arss part Of Mr.. Williams's reply.
The position Of Mr. Lyles and Mr..
Williams are both fully set forth in the
following letter:
Columbia, September 6. 1900.
Mr. W. H. Lyles, Columbia, S. G.
Dear Sir: Your favor of this date to
hand, stating "At my request this
morning Mr.. Hunter A Gibbes of this
Bar, called at the dispeossry for the
purpose of examining the special re.
port made by Inspectors Moody ADD
Yeldell about two years ago, while Mr..
D. NJ. Miles was chairman of the
board, 10 whloh numbers OF shortages
of dispensers were reported. anong
them the shortage of the dispenser at
Union, and of dispenser No 2 at Spar
tanburg, and of one at Summerville
aud Lancaster, as I am Informed
These, as my Information goes, not
being all. l understand that you de-
cliued to show this report to Mr.
Gibbes unless | would state the object
which had in examining it, and
make cer.oio pledges With reference to
the publication of it aud state for
whom I was acting would say that
is this matter | represent citizen OF
South Carolina. who has the right Of
access to this paper as public record.
and | desire the information to make
such use of it as the interest of my
olieot may dictate 70 my own mind:
apd. therefore, would be very glad it
YOU could allow Mr.. Gibbes to have
copy of that report made. | make this
demand as right aod trust that it
will be complied with
In reply would state that Mf
Gibbes did come and ask to be allowed
TO examine the records in the dispeo-
sary. very naturally asked bin what
particular records he desired to
examine, whom be was representing
aud for what purpose. 30 none OF
which questions | was able to get
satisfactory reply After he started
that you bad scot hin | then told h'n'
to get statement feom you 10 writing
as TO wbom you represented. aud your
purpose 10 asking, aud if for puollca
tioo The ooiy pledge ezac'ed was
tnas ali the facts revealed by the
records be published We staud
ready to allow the inspection and
publication of every record 10 our
cf6oe, provided the whole tTu'o IS pub
l;shed, aud 90, garbled statements,
sod we think tba; the coursey was at
least due Us by Mr. Glooes aoo Jous-
self that we be Informed IS to your
purpose 10 desiring to examine them.
The General Assembly has appoint
ed a committee to ezamioe the trans
ac.iccs of the dispensary, aod Mr
Sharpe, of thar committee, is present,
ard he, together With the other mem
oers of the board of directors, approve
the 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, Chairman.
Mr. Giboes presented Mr.. Ly.es's
letter asd Mr.. Williams then made an
appointment by which Mr.. G'bbes
could begin work at 3 O'Clock this
afternoon
1t appears from the letter that the
oo!y Information ,6a. is desired Is the
special repor: of shortages made about