The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-02-17
DENIES THE CHARGES.
What Architect Milburn Says About
the State House Matter.


To the People of South Carolina:
On my return home from a business
trip in Tennessee and North Carolina.
find the newspapers filed with
very sensational report from the in
vestigating committee, criticising the
capitol commission, the architect and
the contractor, for the work done on
the State 'ouse. Lwant to enter a
denial of tie charges, and to denounce
the port as being unjust, and as
mis- presenting the facts.
l have no objection to any COM
mittee investigating or criticising my
work; but what l do object to is be-
ing accused of being party to any
thing that is not honorable, honest,
upright, open and above borad.
I labored hard for two years trying
to get the best possible results for the
State with the small appropriation
which I realized was insufficient; and
| expect to show to the people that
they received the value of every dollar
expended, and that not one cent was
wasted.
l had heavy expense in my office,
but l think out of the fees paid me /
realized $4,000, which amount I will
donate to any charitable institution
in the State if this or any other COM
mittee will prove that / have been a
party to any fraudulent proceedings
whatever. 1 expect to give the COM
mittee a full opportunity to prove
their infamous charges.
have been engaged in public work
for 1S years and have erected credit
able buildings in all Of the southeast
ern States, varying in number from
IS to SIS buildings each year, and this
is the first time that my name has
ever been mentioned in connection
with any irregular proceedings. I was
supported throughout by the entire
commission, with the single exception
of Col. j. @. Marshall, who told me
the first time / ever met him and be-
fore he saw my plans and specifica-
tions, that he felt under obligations
to support another architect, which
he did with all his power and in
fluence.
When at first Col. Marshall found
objections to the word, he did not
come to me and discuss the matter as
it is customary for commissioners to
do in such cases and say, 'Why can
not we do this or that?' or "Is this
practicable?" or, 81 do not believe
you are doing the work right" No.
The first thing knew he appeared
before the capitol commission with
long typewriter document, with
copies ready for the newspapers. Does
not this look to be somewhat on the
order of a grand-stand play?
The capitol commission was COM
posed of the best men the State could
produce, and my experience with them
warrants me in saying that these men
are not lacking in either intelligence
or integrity; but. if the report of the
investigating committee is accepted
it puts them, as well as myself, In a
very unfavorable light.
1t is a pity that honest, honorable
men like these could have such in
famous charges brought against them,
and 1 for one, propose to fight it out
and prove to the people that there is
such a thing left as honor.
have just received copy Of the
report of the committee which criti-
cises the work, and as the charges are
rather broad, l want to consider them
carefully and will answer it in detail
as soon as possible.
Frank P. Milburn.
Columbia, Feb. II, 1904.