The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-02-19
THE LIE PASSED.
Exciting Passages Between Members
in the Legislature Halls.

| Z
in the Legislature Halls.
THE STATE HOUSE MATTER.
Tension OF the Last Few Days
Gave Way and Members In
dulgcd In Sensational
Personalities.
The State says there were exciting
scenes in the hall of the house of re-
presentatives Thursday night and
members INDUCED in language un-
parliamentary but quite expressive of
their overwrought feelings. It 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 men,
bers Of the commission which had
In charge the work of completing the
capitol held an informal meeting
Thursday. 1t was decided to memorial
lize 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 a clash upon the floor of the house,
for Mr.. II. 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 MIR. johnson
had sharp passage at arms with Mr..
j.. M. Rawlinson OF. Richland who has
been one Of the nnohtrnsive members
of the house, but who was very much
angered by u statement from Mr..
johnson that the latter had made a
demand to be heard by the Joint COM
mittee. T'.is Mr.. Rawlinson denied.
and the charge was reafflrmed by Mr..
Johnson, who cited incidents to show
the reasons Tor mis- remarks. bIr.
Rawlinson declared that there had
been no demand, and that the re-
marks to which Mr. johnson attached
Importance were but parts Of casual
conversation.
The floor and galleries Of the house
were 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. 1t 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 he build
Ing commission also has some warm
matter in reserve.
The memorial WAS presented in the
house by Mr.. Aull; and in tile 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 work. 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 THE RESOLUTION.
| Following is the memorial present
ed by former Gov. McSweeney, Mr..
G. Duncan Bellinger, Mr.. j. Harvey
Wilson, Capt. r. II. Jennings, Mr.
r. J. CAN'T and MIR. 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 the report would not
exist If we were allowed the opportu-
nifty to be heard.
Therefore, believing that the gener-
al assembly can have no intention Of
condemning us 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 their answer and
explanation to any allegation or IN
sinuation, do most respectfully memoir
ialize your honorable body to make
provision for giving us hearing In
order that further and all evidence
may be produced that may give light
upon the question before the COM
mittee and that our evidence and re-.
| ply to the report of the committee
should become public record of your
honorable body Of the same perman-
ency and dignity as the report ITSELF"
MIR. AULL's RESOLUTION.
Following Is the text of the con.
current resolution providing for a
joint committee as to the work OH
the State house."
Whereas, itappers from the report
of the joint committee appointed un-
dar cOppIrrart rncn)I,tiOp tn oopsidor