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

( L
to myself that you do so now, in any
event. I was present in the State
House at the time of your meetings
and could have been called as wit
ness in fifteen minutes.
Your report bar.ng been published
without giving me an opportunity to
appear before you, I publish this let
ter in advance of mailing you copy
thereof. Respectfully,
Columbia, S. c., February 9, 1904.
It is understood that all of tbe
members of the commission will be
here tomorrow to demand full inquiry
into the facts, and the members of the
commission here say they are surprised
and indignant that they were denied
hearing by the State House COM
mittee.
Columbia, Feb. l1.-There was a
meeting of the members of the Old
State House commission this morning
in regard to the recent report to the
General Assembly, all but four being
present. Those in attendance we're !:
Ex. Governor M. B. McSweeney,
former Attorney General G. Duncan
Bellineer, State Treasurer Jennings,
b. J. Can't, J. Harvey Wilson. W. j.
johnson. Those not attending were !:
Former Comptroller General j. 2.
Dernam, former Secretary of State M:
r. Cooper, former State Treasurer
W. II. Tmmerman and Col. j. q.
Marshall, the latter having submitted
the minority report, upon which the
findings of the new committee was
based. These had been notified of
the meeting. but did not come. 1t is
understood that Architect Mllburn
will prepare a letter for the General
Assembly.
After q session of an hour the fol-
lowing memorial was prepared.
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly !:
From an examination of the report
of the ioint committee to 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 ssto complete
the State House, - feel that the report
of the committee does us manifest
injustice, as it Willingly or inviting
II or 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;
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 the report, would not exist it
We we're allowed the opportunity to be
heard.
3 Therefore. believing that the General
Assembly can have no intention Of
condemning as without hearing, as
members Of commission upon whom
you imposed an involuntary public
duty, should be allowed to account for
that trust and to. give sheir answer
and explanation to any allegation or
insinuation, We most respectfully
memorializes your honorable body to
make provision for giving as a hearing
In order that further and eli evidence
may be produced and give light upon
the question before the committee,
and that our evidence and re-
ply to the report Of the COMMITTEES
should become public record Of your
honorable body Of the same permanency
and dignity as the report itself.
Respectfully: NJ. B. McSweeney,
G. Duncan Bellinger, j. Harvey Vii
SON. Z. II. Jennings, Robert j. CAN'T,
". j. johnson.