Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-08-16
HAS BEGUN TO COME OUT-0AMAGING
EVIDENCE AGAINST OFFICIALS.
COMMISSION BEGINS ITS WORK.
How the Thing Is Run-Contributsd TO Fund
to Buy a Newspaper.
1.-THE State. !

uiopcuoci, eceCiucu W eho law ehoe
he had contributed to a fund to pur-
chase the influence of the Spartan
burg Journal in behalf of the dispen-
sary. He testified further that he
had lost his job as beer dispenser be-
cause he complained of the miserable
quality of beer sold by the Atlanta
Brewing Company and because he
had refused to pay to G. o. Smith,
chairman of county board, the amount
that Smith demanded.
Witness swore further that in max
ing final settlement with Atlanta
Brewing Company that concern was
represented by Cole l.. Blease, who
had said, "You boys could have kept
from telling 80 much"
Referring to the affidavits which
witnesses had given Messrs. Christen-
sen and Lyon, Morris also testified
that II. II. Evans had asked him to
"chip in" $500 to the election of leg
islators in Spartanburg county, prom
ising to refund it. Witness had never
been reimbursed although he had
spent money on advice of Jess Ma
haffey, former member of Legislature,
who had told Morris that Evans was
good for the amount, as during the
session of the legislature Mahaffey
had had $40 bills stuffed into his
pockets by Evans during the cam
paign incident to Evans reelection
Witness declined to testify further,
as Mahaffey was not present and he
wanted to say it to Mahaffey's face.
He also swore that G. O. Smith,
the former chairman Of the county
board, had told him that he must sell
Atlanta beer or none at all when Nor
ris complained that the beer was stale
and the customers were quitting him.
He testified that he had seen Smith
drunk on several occasions and that
once he saw Smith try to cut man
with meat knife. Morris was the
only witness examined, as the hear
ing did not commence until after 5
o'clock.
Senator Hay and Mr.. Fraser hav-
ing been delayed, Mr.. Lyon stated
that he and Mr.. Christensen, being
members of the sub committee, would
not sit as members of the commission
but as prosecuting attorneys.
He began by reading letter from
G. Fl. Henry and his reply to that
letter. Henry had asked for permis-
sion to reply to statements in an affi-
davit of which he had heard. Mr..
Lyon had replied that Henry would
be given free and full hearing. This
was approved by the committee and
Henry may appear if he choices to
do 80.
Senator Blease, who was the author
OF the resolution looking to the dis
pensary investigation, was referred
TO very pointedly by the witness, but
did not cross ex anime him.
There were several present who
are interested in the local fight to
vote out the dispensary and they
seem to think that the testimony to-
day will have its weight in that issue,
for the witness is said to be reliable
man. He testified that he is butcher
and has an interest in grocery store.
He was willing witness and did not
hesitate to declare himself. He had
been elected beer dispenser in April,
1904, and was not re- elected at the end
of the year. He had spent $50 to
get the job, including the attorneys
fee. 1t had cost him between 800
and $500 to fix up his place.
OBJECTION MADE.
Morris swore that the origi nal aft
davit was correct. When Mr. Lyon
reached that point in the reading
where the name of G. O. Smith was
mentioned, G. p. Sims, a lawyer of
this bar, arose and asked to be heard.
Morris had stated &c. O. Smith,
member of county board, asked me
how much expense | had been put to
(to secure election) and upon my tell
ng him he said that was very CHEAP.