The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-02-24

To the Honorable Senate and the House
of Representatives.:
On Monday, Feb. Sth, 1904, there was
presented to your honorable body re-
port of the joint committee appointed
under concurrent resolutions adopted
at the session Of 1893, "to consider the
several reports Of the commission on
the completion Of the State house and
focts relating thereto" Of which COM
mittee Hon. Robert Aldrich, of Barn.
well, was chairman, and Hons. r. /.
Manning, of Sumter, ]. o. Patterson of
Barnwell, J. NJ. Rawlinson of Rich
land and r. Y. Williams Of Lancaster
were members. -.
This report contained the findings of
said committee and the testimony up
on which said findings We're based.
The sole testimony relating to the
work included therein was that of
Captain" S. S. Hunt, who Swore that
he was q resident OF Washington, u.
c., and for four years had held the
position OF Superintendent of con-
struction of the United States capitol,
Washington. D. c. Said Capt. Hunt
proceeded in unqualified language to
condemn each and every portion or
the work on the State capitol which
had been done by the commission ap-
pointed for the completion of the build
ing. 1.t@. -
No other or, further testimony relat-
ing to the work of construction on the
building was taken, except that of A.
w. Edens, inspector Of plumbing of
the city OF Columbia, who was ques-
toned in regard to the newly erected
water closets.
The testimony of these two Witness
es was concealed from the public and
the undersigned until the said report
was presented to your honorable body.
Upon this testimony the aforesaid
committee concluded, among other,
things, that "the testimony taken re-
vealed dark picture" (p. 1S), "a mon
strous swindle." (p. 13), and that lit
would regard it remarkable indeed If
there is not some remedy. civil or GRIM
inal. or both, to bring these nalefactors
to justice and to some extent Ito re-
dress the wrongs of the State" (p.
15)..
A REQUEST FOR A FULL, FREE
AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGA-
TION.
Feeling that they had been unjustly
reflected on therein, and If these con-
clusions had any foundation whatever
If there was even ground to suspect
such a condition of affairs-that there
should be made full, thorough and
searching investigation into this. mat.
ter. certain members of the commits
sion for the completion Of the State
house met in the city of Columbia and
adopted the following memorial which
was presented to your honorable body
along with and accompanying resolu-
ton providing for such an inveStiga-
ton:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly:
From an investigation Of the report
of the joint committee Ito consider the
several reports Of the commission on
the completion OF the State house and
facts relating thereto" we, the under
signed members of the commission,
authorized and directed "to complete
the State house." feel that the report
Of the committee does us Il manifest
injustice, as it, Willingly or unwitting-
ly, unfairly condemns our acts and
the work approved by us without Civ
ing US an opportunity to be heard and
even refusing TO allow us hearing.
Many of the allegations Of error and
incompetency are easily explained. Ger
tain conclusions could not and would
not have been drawn had available
evidence been heard. Above all, we
feel that an impression that must nee
essarily result from the tenor and
terms OF the report would not exist If
it were allowed the opportunity to be
heard.
Therefore, believing that the gen.
eral assembly can have no intention or
'condemning us without hearing, as
members of the commission upon
whom you imposed an involuntary pub
lie duty, should be allowed to account
e. tr srt.. flasr
swer and explanation to any allegation
or insinuation. do most respectfully
memorable your honorable body 10
make provision for giving us hear
ing in order that further and all evil
dence may be produced that may give
light upon the question before the
committee, and that our evidence and
reply to the report of the committee
should become public record of your
honorable body Of the same perma-
ncncy and dignity rs the report itself.
Respectfully,
NJ. Is. McSweeney.
G.. Duncan Bellinger,
J. Harvey Wilson,
Il. II. Jennings,
Robert J. CAN'T,
W. ]. Johnson
When the said memorial was pre-
Sented Hon. T.. y. Williams introduced
in the house of representatives. and
Hon. Robert .fldrich in the senate.
the following resolution:
Whereas, certain members Of the
former commission to complete the
State house have memorialiZed the
general assembly to make provision to
give them 4 hearing in reply to the
report of the joint committee to con-
slider the" several reports of the COM
mission for the completion of the State
house and facts relating thereto.
BE 1t Resolved by the general as
semhly OF the State of South Carolina
That any evidence explanation, or 9TH