The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-08-21
Gard From Ex-court Stenographer Par
rot.
Sumter. S. c.. Aug. -. 1901.

Sumter, >. T., Aug. I9, 19Ol.
Mr.. Editor: Inasmuch as Hon. ..
". Buchanan has in the last few days
attempted to get an affidavit from Mr..
". II. McFeat, Stenogropher of 9th
Judicial Circuit, to the effect that 1t
was at Mr.. McFeat's suggestion that
he appointed Mr.. Geo. D. Tillman, Jr.,
court stenographer for the 3rd circuit,
discharging me from that position, be
cause of the great competency of Mr..
Tillman for the place, thus making
it appear to the public that the idea
of ousting me and appointing Mr..
Tillman originated in the mind of Mr..
McFeat instead of that of His Honor
the Judge, I feel called upon to make
the following statement:
This statement which Mr. McFeat
is asked by his Honor to swear
to is in the hand writing of the Judge
himself, and while it is not before me at
this writing, it can and will be pro-
duced if called for. And in view of
the further fact that there is rumor
in circulation that Judge Buchanan
has reported recently that he discharg-
ed me from the position because Of my
incompetency it behooves me, in fact
becomes my duty, to state the facts as
they are, in connection with the
whole matter.
In the first place, I wish to state
that am not responsible for Judge
Buchanan's reference to me IN this his
race for Congress. If my friends have
attacked him in reference to his treat
ment of me it was not known to me, nor
prompted by me. Since my reputation
is involved I beg to state to the pub
lie:
I was summoned by telegraph to
Lexington court house by Judge Bu-
chanan, in Sept. '96, when he was there
holding court. I had served as court
stenographer Of this Sd Circuit under
Judge T. B. Fraser for nine years,
satisfactorily to him and the bar, so
far as I am aware. On arriving at
Lexington court house in response to
the telegram, Judge Buchanan told me
that Mr.. J. ". Nixon, the then serv-
ing stenographer, would not be in the
position longer than the lst Of Octo-
Der of that year; that he wished to
appoint me in his stead. l told the
Judge that did not wish the position
unless it should be permanent so far as
his authority should extend. He
then and there assured me that |
should hold the position, if would
accept it, as long as he remained Judge
of the Sd Circuit, and said it would
be an unusual thing if he were not
elected for the second term: that [
would reasonably calculate, therefore,
on holding the place seven years: On
such terms and representations l ac-
cepted the appointment and now hold
in my possession his written appoint
ment to me, stating:
Having stood the examination and
being satisfied of your qualifications
both as to stenography and moral
character I hereby appoint you official
Stenographer Sd Judicial Circuit,
Oct. 1st, 1895.
I took charge of the work on lst
Oct. '96 In December '9S, when the
Judge received his new commission, l
suggested that he give me also a new
appointment. He assured me that it
was not necessary: that my appoint
ment continued of force, and again as
sured me that l should hold the posi-
ton as long as he was Judge, with
the qualification, however, unless my
brother-in-law, Jim, should apply" "
While I knew this was a retractlon
to some extent from his first promise,
yet it caused me but little concern, as
l never anticipated that Col. Jas. H.
Tillman would ever apply, as l was
satisfied he was seeking higher place.
I heard nothing more Of the matter
until I received the following letter:
Chesterfield, c. H., S. c.,
Mr.. L. I. Parrott, Sumter, S. c.
Dear Sir: You will recall a conver-
sation we had some months ago in
which said you would continue as
stenographer so long as was Judge
unless my brother-in-law, Mr.. G. D.
Tillman, or someone else whose re-
quest would have to be recognized
were to apply. Now, that very thing
has been indicated to me, and by that
very gentleman. He will in all prob
ability from what / can now under
stand desire to 90 into service about
July 1st. I think at this early indlca
ton I should write you that you may
be prepared if such request be made
of me. Very truly.
O. ". Buchanan.
So it appears to me now that instead
of my being disqualified, it was the
urgent necessity ~ to favor his broth
er-in-law, who was at the date of the
above letter studying stenography unl
der Mr.. McFeat, for the purpose Of
getting my place as soon as he could
be qualified. I am assured by Mr..
McFeat that Mr.. Tillman came to
him to study stenography for the pur-
pose of being appointed (by his broth
erin law, Judge Buchanan, steno-
grapher of the Sd Circuit in my place
as soon as he should become COM
peJent,
As soon as I received the above let
ter from Judge Buchanan, | wrote
hin. and afterwards had conversa-
ton with him to the effect reminding
him of his promise when he appointed
me. Told him that my mercan-
tile business in Darlington was gone
by reason Of his appointment and