The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-12-01
SERIOUS CHARGE
Made Against Senator John
son OF Fairfield County,
WHICH HE EXPLAINS
TO the Satisfaction of the Judge. The
Senator was Charged With Talk.
Ing TO and irving to influence
Juror In the State
House Case.

hh shS otdVS
House Case.
The noted suit for 5000, 900 against
Mt Iivafne, Unkefer & Co.. and Frank
Milburn, contractors and architect,
respectfully, for the com oletion of the
state capitol for alleged irregularities
and faulty construction of work, was
begun II the circuit court at Colum.
bia on Thursday, with an imposing
array Of counsel on both sides ane
the entire state looking on with deep
conclusion. The fight is honey comb
ed with politics, but while some sen
sational developments have been
promised. Mr.. Milburn ard the con
tractors appear to be perfectly con
ident Of the results, and say they are
anxious for the trial to be carried on
and finished as they have nothing to
fear. The suit was brought by Sena
tor A,drich and r pr sentative Yam
cy Williams, sppoiut.d by the legls
lature to Look into the matter, which
has been the subject OF so many acrl-
monious and spirited debates In the
legislature.
In connection with the case the
Columbia State says Col w. j. John
son, senator from Fairfield county
and member Of the former State
house commission, may be called upon
In open count to purge himself of con.
tempt Of court. Col ohnson Spoke
his mind" very freely Thursday at
the dinner hour to members of the
jury, and 1t made such ap impression
upon at least one Of them that he
reported the rcumstarc g. Judge
Cages attention was cllled TO the
matter by Col. j. Q Marshall.
Col. Marshall announced that he
did not want to impede the progress
OF the trial but he Thought this mat
tor should be told to the court. Judge
Gage IN an unr, III sd manner, after
hearing that Mr.. Johnson had been
permitted by the defendants' attor-
noyS to go to his htms at Ridgeway,
ordered his return to Columbia. Tho
Ifollowlng fS transcript of the irlci:
dent from stenOgraphio note; Col.
Marshall (oefore going on the witness
stando do not care to interfere
with the progress Of this CASE, but
think it my duty to mention what a
Juror told me as j. was intering the
cCutt room.
The court indicated that Col. Mar.
shall should proceed with the state
nent. Col. Marshall: One Of the
jurors informed me that a party has
approached him outside after the ad
J ,urnment Of cCutt. His words we're
ab >ut this: That 1t was all outrage
to bring this suit against Milburn
and that the work had been we'll done.
think 1t my duty to call the courts
attention to this.
The court: Who is is this Juror.
Star up.
Mr.. Ruff o M mNer OF the panel,
stood UP aid was sworn on his voir
dire at the direction Of the court.
Q. Now, Mr.. r., II, state what oc.
cured.
A. We we're going along as court
aC urned, going to dinner, and were
approached d by man In the street,
Mr.. Johnson from Ridgeway. He
spoke to us and said that 1T was an
outrage for suit Of this kind to 20
o1. That the work was well done
lie spoke IL in the presence OF Mr..
Kelly, Mr.. Blair and mys IT, He al
SO said he was going home.
Court: Is Mr.. ohnson In court.
Mr.. RlI He Is not here now. l
do not see him
The court: Call him at the door.
Mr. Barron, do not think Mr..
johnson Is here. II, Is one OF the
original State house commissioners,
and was o member OF the house OF
representatives. We had him sub.
poenaed here as witness. He is now
State senator from Fairfield comfy.
He approi C led us before court ad.
! urncd and stated that on account
OF sickness In his family he Desired to
20 home this evening at clock and
we told hm we would telegraph him
In case we needed him.
The court: Telegraph him to come
bere. Ii you do not L will have q
rule served on him.
Mr.. Barron: All right, sir.
Toe court: Ask him to be here
E.iday.
| WHAT JOHNSON SAYS.
| In ti a cCurk Of ooponoon ,,Iooo os