The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1903-06-04
Clerk OF the Board Replies.

AOlLOE ScI IG1uS!-oOuLAe@i'
In your issue of the 21st of May
lengthy editorial appears: ''Turn on
the Light" in which you make some
very serious charges against the Clerk
of the board of County Commission
ers. which 7 am forced from sense
of duty to reply.
| I dislike very much to be drawn
into this uncalled for controversy.
I am not seeking notoriety through
the press, but standing on the defen.
sive and propose to ans *er for myself
touching those things whereof I am
accused-I am not an officer Of Pick
ems county-but I am here as CLERK
of the board of County Commission
ers; not as matter OF choice either.
I had hoped that when you purchased
The Journal plant, that you would
lead off in marshalling the masses
along all the lines of progress. l
was not looking to find you trying to
create distrust, and sowing seeds of
discord. The press is represented as
an engine of power, and that power
is-either for good or eVil-and ought
to be handled with care.
Yoo seem to have gone out on the
war path of late. You had thought
to leave the Commissioners alone and
let the matter drop, but not being
satisfied with the Aogging you gi7e
Stephens and -Welborn, you hsvere-
newe8 the attack, and include the
-G6;lerk of the board and give him a
little spanking. Well, we shall see
later how that will work. You have
shifted the breeze and want some one
to believe that there is something
wrong up the branch-the stencil IS
very great-aud you have decided
that it is in the Commissioners Office,
and call upon the Grand Jury to get
ready for the prey ey-but the case Is !,
such an offensive one-better send OF
and get some one from distance to
look after this matter. Where on
earth would you expect to get better
men than is on the panel of that
Grand Jury? Men tried and true
Chosen because of their fitness for
the important trust conGded in them.
This Office was not so offensive last
year. It was splendid place for
you. A place that you visited fre-
quently. I am aware that you are a
little bit sore. The tax payers know
what's the matter with you. The
light will be turned on in due time,
and we shall see where the extraVa-
garce comes in. 7 am not authorized
to say one word for the Commission
ers. They are able to take care OF
themselves. I have been watching
the Commissioners, and there can be
no doubt but what they are acting IN
good faith; doing all IN their power
to give the people better roads, with
as little expense as possible. They
are working and planning almost day
and night to make their administra-
ton success. The people are call.
ing for better roads; the business Of
the county demands it. I don't
blame the people, they ought to aave
better roads. I say hurrah for the
people. Demand good roads and
stand by your Commissioners as long
as they do right and use your money
iudiciously, and let this little croak-
ing kicking crowd, who think they
can hold the world by the tail, and
stop progress, try it, and see where
they will be landed. Nobody scared
or hurt yet.
Now, as to my voting in the courts
OF the Commissioners, or charging
for making changes in the public
roads, or offering you a consideration
to keep your mouth shut, or taking
the place of the boards attorney, l
want to say here and now, it is abso-
lutely false.
Tr or Trr Ro,pD