The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-11
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
{ SOUTH CAROLINA
( STATE NEWS ITEMS.
Convicted Of Pension Frauds.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Convicted Of Pension Frauds.
George P. McClay, who was con-
victed in Charleston last Monday for
working general pension frauds and
who was sentenced to serve six years,
is considered one of the shrewdest
pension sharks that ever operated in
South Carolina. The pension bureau
gave out 12l different cases against
McClay, and of this number fifty-four
have already been examined. In the
fifty four cases the government claims
that forgery aud perjury was shown in
forty-three, and some of the more i'm
portant charges have not yet been
reached. McClay was tried in the
United States circuit court on four in
dictments consolidated iuto one, and
verdict of guilty was returned in each
of the foul.
The operations OF the pension attor-
ney were not confined to Charleston
county, but he found an easy field in
Beaufort and elsewhere.
While in Jail awaiting trial, McC!ay
sent a letter addressed to President
Mckinley and cabinet, in which he
preferred charges against every federal
| officer in Charleston. The charges, OF
course, were groundless.
It is believed by the government
that with the conviction of McClay one
of the most dangerous pension sharks
has been removed from the active
deld. His work extended over
period of many years and it has been
impossible thus far to estimate the
amount secured by him on pension
claims.
Rock Hill Anxious For Dispensary.
Up to this time Rock Hill has had
no dispensary. The town has over
5000 inhabitants and has the trade of
a rich back county. 1t is said the i'm
portations Of liquor from Charlotte
have aggregated at least $50, 900 annu-
ally. A strong move is now being
made to establish dispensary in the
town, and a hard fight is on. Preach.
ers are openly fighting the move from
the pulpit. A strong sentiment favors
the town and county making the prof
it's instead of North Carolina town.
~.
A Receiver Wanted.
Simon Rothschilds, holder of $780,
900 worth of stock, has filed plea in
the United States circuit court at Gin
cinnati against the Memphis & Charles
ton Railway company and the South
err railway, in which receiver and
accountant is asked. It is also asked |
that the Southern Railroad company |
be held to have no right or title in the
Memphis & Charleston Railroad COM
pany and be enjoined from any pos
session under the sale in February,
1898. It is set forth that there was
an organization scheme by which the
issue Of bonds was to be 5000, 900
instead of Sc, 100000.
-.
A Washington dispatch says: Direc
tor General Averil, of the Charleston
exposition, accompanied by Senator
McLaurin, had half an hour interview
with the president Monday morning
on the proposition to have govern
ment exhibit displayed at the Charles
ton exposition.
You may say to our friends IN
klof in n
government exhibit at your exposl-
ton" This confident statement was
made by General Averll before he left
tie white house after his Interview
with the president.
'It is impossible at this moment to
60 into all the details which lead me
to express myself so emphatically on
the subject, because there are certain
matters open for further consideration
which q public discussion at this time
might not benefit. The president ex
pressed himself deeply interested 10
the success of the Charleston e1posi-
tior and expressed willingness to
lend his assistance in having the gov
ernment properly represented there,
under certain conditions. Senator
McLaurin having opened up the ques-
ton for US, and having interested the
president aud members of the cabinet
in The enterprise, I am assured that
We will be able to comply with any
fair and reasonable conditions which
will enable US to secure the govern
meut exhibit. I am not prepared at
this moment to discuss the subject Ct
further buildings and other apartments
for the care and transportation of the
exhibits. There are details which are
yet to be considered.
"Iexpect to remain here two or three
days and with the assistance OF Sena'
tor McLaurin We will confer with the
various members of the cabinet inter
ested and endeavor to reach conclu-
sion which will be acceptable to the
government, rs we'll as the managers
of the Charleston expo Sition. 1t may
be necessary for Senator McLaurln
and myself to 60 to Buffalo to consult
the officials of the exposition there re-
lative to the transfer. This is about
all that can properly be said on the
situation at present, although I appre'
ciate the fact that our friends in
Charleston would only be too glad to
have a more detailed statement of just
what we have accomplished and what
is yet to be doue. Under the presen,
circumstances it would not be wise to
indulge in premature publication OF
our plans, but I am safe in saying that
We will surely have government ez-
h;bit at the Charleston exposition"
Illinois To Ap. rspriats $4,000 For In
terstate Exposition.
The house committee on appropria-
tions of the Illinois Legislature rerol'-
cd committee bill making an appro-