The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-02-17
THE LIE PASSED.

lIlN ulH l. aOOIDs
Exciting Passages Between Members
in the Legislature Halls.
THE STATE HOUSE MATTER.
Tension Of the Last Few Days
Gave Way and Members In
duIged in Sensational
Personalities.
The State says there were exciting
scenes in the hall of the house Of re-
presentatives Thursday night, and
members indulged in language un-
parliamentary but quite expressive OF
their overwrought feelings. 1t is all
the outcome of the investigation into
the manner in which the State house
was completed. The report of the
commission which examined that
work created quite sensation
Throughout the State, and the mem
bers of the commission which had
in charge the work of completing the
capitol held an informal meeting
Thursday. It was decided to memoria-
lie the general assembly for the men,
bers of the building commission to be
given hearing in their own defense.
/ When the memorial was presented
in the house thereupon ensued the
colloquy which very nearly approach
ed clash upon the floor of the house,
for Mr.. T. Y. Williams of Lancaster
in words which bear but one construc-
tion attacked the varacity of Mr.. w.
J. Johnson of Fairfield who in turn
had stigmatized the report of the in
vestigation commission as an infamous
falsehood. Furthermore Mr.. Johnson
had sharp passage at arms with MIR.
j. M. Rawlinson of Richland who has
been one of the unobtrusive members
of the house, but who was very much
angered by a statement from MT.
Johnson that the latter had made a
demand to be heard by the joint COM
mittee. This Mr.. Rawlinson denied,
and the charge was reaffirmed by Mr..
Johnson, who cited incidents to show
the reasons for his remarks. Mr.
Rawlinson declared that there had
been no demand, and that the re-
marks to which Mr.. Johnson attached
Importance were but parts Of a casual
conversation.
The. floor and galleries of the house
we're packed with visitors, who took
a very keen interest in the heated de-
bate, and at times the sergeant-at-
arms was close by the gentlemen
speaking to prevent personal hostili-
ties. It is generally believed that the
contention between the members OF
the joint investigating committee and
the members of the building commits
sion will become more acrimonious, for
evidently the investigating committee
has not shown it's hand, aud ihe build
ing commission also has some warm
matter in reserve.
The memorial was presented in the
house by Mr.. Aull, and in the senate
by Mr.. Talbird. The gentlemen also
presented resolutions asking for an
other committee to be appointed to
hear the testimony Of members of the
building commission. Mr.. Williams in
the house and Mr.. Aldrich in the SEN
ate presented resolutions providing for
the same investigating committee to
continue it's swork. The whole matter
after acrimonious discussion was re-
ferred to the committee on railroads,
none of whose members are. members
of either of the warning commissions.
TEXT OF TIE RESOLUTION.
Following IS the memorial present
ed by former Gov. McSweeney, MIR.
G. Duncan Bellinger, Mr.. }. Harvey
Wilson, Capt. Il. II. Jennings, MI
r. J. CAN'T and Mr.. w. j. Johnson.
"Gentlemen of the General Assembly:
From an examination of the re-
port of the joint committee to con-
slider the several reports of the COM
mission on the completion Of the State
house and facts relating thereto we,
the undersigned members of the COM
mission, authorized and directed to
complete the State house feel that
the report Of the committee does us a
manifest injustice, as it Willingly or
unwittingly, unfairely condemns our
acts and the work approved by us
without giving us an opportunity to
be heard and even refusing to allow
US hearing. Many of the allegations
of error and incompetency are easily
explained. Certain conclusions could
and would not have been drawn had
available evidence been heard. Above
all we feel that an impression that
must necessarily result from the tenor
and terms of uhe report would not
exist if we we're allowed the Opportu-
nifty to be heard.
Therefore, believing that the gener-
al assembly ca1s have no intention OF
condemning us Without a hearing, as
members of a commission upon whom
YOU imposed an involuntary public duty
should be allowed to account for that
trust and to give their answer and
explanation TO any allegation or in
sinuation, do omost respectfully memor-
ialiZe YOUR honorable body to make
provision for giving lis Il hearing in
order that further and all evidence
,>.,,. lao ,>r,Junod tbut may rive ljrDt