The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-08-17
A MATTER OF GENERAL DISCUSSION.
Facts Brought Out at the Meeting of City
Council, But Not Published in the Re-
port thursday.
From the Daily Item, Aug. Il.

From the Daily Item, Aug. u.
The report of the proceedings of the
City Council meeting held Wednesday
night published Thursday contain
ed no reference to ore matter
that was brought up for consid-
Grafton and discussed at some
length The matter referred to has
been the subject Of common discussion
on the streets for several days, and is
still generally talked about. Conse
quently statement of the facts as de-
veloped in Council meeting being pub
lie property, it is deemed best, as a
matter of justice to those concerned,
that the facts be published, for the
reason that the reports in circulation
are conflicting and more damaging in
their nature than the statement be-
fore Council.
The section of the Official minutes
referring to this matter was omitted
from the report published yesterday
because City Clerk Hurst stated, when
he furnished complete copy Of the
minutes, that several members Of
Council united in suggesting that the
said paragraphs be not published. He
stated, however, when conveying the
suggestion or request, that the para
graphs be omitted from the minutes,
that the newspapers were at liberty to
publish the facts elsewhere than in
the minutes, if they saw fit.
The matter referred to was brought
up by Alderman E. ". Hurst immedi
a.tely after the minutes of the pre-
yious meeting has been read and ap-
proved.
Alderman Hurst said, in substance,
that he desired the privilege of max
ing statement in reference to certain
ugly rumors which are current in the
city concerning the contract awarded
in May last to Won Olsen & Shirar
for painting the two hose wagons.
The said rnmors being to the effect
that he (E. ". Hurst) had been in
finenced in awarding the contract by
a gift, or bribe, of FIVE dollars paid to
him by Mr.. J. D. Shirar. He assert
ed that the fact was that about forty
or fifty days after the contract was
made Mr.. Shirar came to his place OF
business and handed him five dollars.
He took the five dollars and asked Mr..
Shirar how it was to be applied. Mr..
Shirar said. s'That is for you, / want
you to accept it for your friendship to
me- He handed it back, saying,
No, I cannot take it, you have also
been my friend and don't think you
can afford to- make me present. %
Mr. Shirar insisted on presenting the
1noney, and said, IF you do not want
it, give it to your children to have q
good time when they go to Sullivan's
Island - For fear of angering Mr..
Sbirar the money was accepted, but it
had nothing whatever to do with any
contract.
Mr.. Shirar, who was present, then
made q statement corrohorating Nj.
EIurst's statements.
Replying to questions, asked by
members of Council. Mr.. Shirar said
be had felt grateful for the work
which he thought MI. Hurst had been
Instrumental in getting for him.
When Mr.. Hurst attempted to return
the money he had said, ssYou are fool
iBb, / mean you to have it, He ex-
pressed regret that the matter had as
sumed the present aspect, so entirely
different to what was intended.
Further discussion of the matter
was postponed, by common consent, to
full meeting of council.
In explanation of why the above
facts Weee not published yesterday as
an appendix to, though not incorporat-
Ell in the regular Council minutes, it
need only be stated taat the copy Of
the minutes was received at such a
Eate hour that there was not sufficient
time to prepare an independent re-
port.