The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-17

fearlessly and discharged consclen-
tiouely. Performance of only pleasant
duties falls far short of true manhood.
The duty was to examine the work.
After examination it vas thought only
Justice to the architect and contract
ors that they be heard, and they
were accordingly offered hearing.
The contractors took no notice and the
architect wrote curt note. saying he
had nothing to do with the committee.
No one had ever asked Senator AL
drich for hearing and he had never
heard from any member of the COM
mittee of such request. It would
certainly have been granted. If they
wish a hearing now they should re-
ceive it. If committee is appointed
architects and contractors, so-called,
could be summoned who would swear
that the work had been done without
spot or blemish.
The rain flooded spot outside the
main lobby, however, cannot be
sworn away, the rain flooded lower
lobby cannot be sworn away nor can
the two missing columns in the front
portico. These speak for themselves.
The broken Intel stone on the rear
poctico, tie missing Intel stones in
the front portico-none of these can
be sworn away. The lack of roof ven
tilators, the thin sheet of galvanized
iron between the interior of the State
house and the "wide wide world''-
these cannot be sworn away and nei
ther can the defects in the dome.
Nothing has been reported that does
not exist and if this is not believed an
inspection will convince.
This is the States case and as a
senator, Mr.. Aldrich asked his
brother senators not to allow the COM
mittee in any way to Illustrate the re-
dressing of the wrongs done the State.
Let the committee report before the
general assembly adjourns for the
year.
The Talbird resolution (including
the Aldrich preamble) was then
adopted as follows:
Whereas, certain members Of the
former commission to complete the
State house have memorialized the
general assembly to make provision
for giving them hearing in reply to
the report Of the Joint committee to
consider the several reports of the
commission for the completion of the
State house and facts relating there
to-
'sBe it resolved by the senate, the
house of representatives concurring.
That special joint committee con-
sisting of three members of the house
and two members of the senate be ap-
pointed by the speaker aad president
respectively with authority to appoint
stenographer, take testimony, COM
mand the production Of records and
papers and report the same to the
general assembly before its adjourn
ment.''
Immediately after this was adopted
Senator Aldrich offered a concurrent
resolution that suit be brought against
Frank p. Milburn and Contractors
McIlwain, Unkefer & Co., member
being appointed from each house to
supervise the litigation. This COM
mittee shall have power to employ an
attorney who shall receive not more
than 25 per cent. of the amount recover
ed. An appropriation of $500 is made
for the committee.
Immediate consideration was asked
for this resolution. Senator Talbird
wanted it referred to the judiciary
committee which was done.
Later in the proceedings, the regular
routine of business was interrupted
by motion by Senator Manning to re-
consider the vote whereby. this resolu
tion was sent to the judiciary COM
mittee The resolution was very
sweeping and the attorney general was
usually the person to carry on such
litigation.
A very manly statement was made
by Senator Manning, who in q delicate
way said he was sorry to have to make
the matter plain but he thought it
would be best The lawyers of the
senate realized the fact that cases
sometimes arose in which the legal re-
presentatives of the State are dis
qualified. While disclaiming in any
way any reflection of any kind or init
nation on the attorney general, and
this Senator Manning emphasized,
still the fact remains that he was
assistant to the former attorney gener-
al, and the present assistant attorney