The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-03-22
D1sPENsARY INVESTIGATION.
Joint Committee Met Yesterday But
Most Of the Session Was Private.
A Call for Information.

Columbia, March 16.-The joint
committee to investigate the affairs of
the State dispensary met yesterday,
but nothing was done, or at least
there was nothing for publication.
The commission is preparing ways
and means Of getting evidence, and
spent all of yesterdays meeting in
executive session, with the exception
of few minutes
1t was decided to issue call to all
patriotic people in South Carolina
who know Of any wrongdoing to come
forward with the information. The
commission urges this upon the atten-
tion of the people, and formal ad-
dress will be issued later.
One of the members of the commits
sion last night told story to illus
trate the anxiety o. the members of
was sitting at dinner in hotel, when
somewhat loquacious neighbor at
table began to abuse the management
of the dispensary, and concluded with
the hope that the Investigating COM
mission would do no whitewashing.
The member of the commission intro
duced himself and declared his de-
light at finding some one who could
and would give information against
the dispensary management. At this
his vis-a-vis wilted. He was more
shan anxious to declare that he knew
nothing against the dispensary, al
though but moment before his
! tongue had not been so guarded. The
members Of the joint committee now
call upon all people in the State who
know anything to come forward and
! help them out.
Mr.. II. q. Evans, chairman of the
dispensary board, was present yester-
day, in compliance with a notice
from the joint commit ttee. He declar-
ed that tine dispensary officials are un-
able to produce within go days SEN
sible statement of the condition of
affairs at the dispensary in compli-
ance with notice from the joint COM
mittee. Commissioner Tatum made
similar statement.
Following are the resolutions offered
by Mr. CASTOR on the 9th of F'ebru-
ary, but not made public until yester-
ss3rd. That the commissioner shall
forthwith furnish to this committee a
full statement in detail of the amount
of liquors Oh band; and said state
ment showing brands, prices paid,
from whom purchased, retail prices,
where stored, etc., and amount of
liquor purchased but not shipped out.
''5th. That the State board Of
control shall furnish the committee
forthwith 8. full and detailed state
mnet of all outstanding contracts Of
liquors bought but not shipped out,
from whom purchased, prices paid,
etc., also statement showing all pur-
chases made during the past II
months, time when each purchase
was made and awarded and what
quantity, brand, grade and price,
where shipped or when to be shipped
the State commissioner. and in each
case TO show the name of the whole
sale dealer from whom the purchase
was made.
10th. That these statements by
the county dispensers, the State board
of control and the State commissioner
shall be under oath, duly sworn to
and su bscribed to by the officials in
the presence of notary public or
other officer qualified to administer
oaths. -
It was proved to the committee that
it would be a physical impossib bility
to comply within 60 days. Two addi-
ticnal bookkeepeTs have been employed
to do the work.
The committee adjourned to meet
at the call OF the chairman, Senator
J. T. Hay. The other members, all
of whom we're present, are Senators
Niels Christensen and G. L. Blease,
and Representatives A. L. CASTOR, T.
B. Fraser, J. Frasef Lyon and D. A.
Spivey.
IF it is bilious attack take Chamber
lain's Stomach and Liver Tablets and q