The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-11-29
SERIOUS CHARGE
Made Against Senator john
sen OF Fairfield County,
WHICH HE EXPLAINS
To the Satisfaction of the Judge. Th'
Senator was Charged With Talk.
ing 10 and irving to influence
Juror in the State
House Case.
House Case.

The noted suit FOR 5000. 900 against
NJ Iivaine, Unkefer s. Co., and Frank
Milburn, contractors and architect,
respectfully, FOR the completion OF the
state capitol for alleged Irregularities
and faulty construction OF work, was
begun il the c.rc lit court at Colum-
ola en- Thursday, with an imposing
array Of counsel on both sides ano
the entire state looking on with deep
interest and eagerly looking for the
conclusion. The fight is honey comb
ed with politics, but while some sen
.atioDal developments have b. On
promised. Nj. Milburn and 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 kavs nothing tc
fear. Tie suit was brought by Sena
to1 Aldrich and r. pr sentative Yan
cy Williams, appointed by tie leg!s
laturs to look into the matter, which
has been the subject OF so many acri-
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 a member OF the former State
house commission, may be called upon
in opea court to purge himself of con-
tempt Of court. Col. Johnson spoke
bis mind" very freely Thursday at
the dinner hour to members Of the
Jury, and it made such an impression
upon at least one Of them that be
reported the c:rcunstarc Jldgt
Cages attention was ciiled 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
ter should DO told to the court. Judge
Gage in an unr, flsd manner, after
hearing that Mr. johnson had been
permitted by the defendants attor-
news to go to his hCme at RidgeWay,
ordered his return to Columbia. The
following is transcript OF the Incl
dent from stenographic notes; Col.
Marshall (7efore going on the witness
stanl:) 7 do not care to interfere
with the rrogress Of this casa, but l
think il M DUTY to mention what a
Juror told me as I was 1ntering the
court 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 csu:t. R.s words were
ab2ut this: Tnat it was an outrage
to bring this suit against Milburn
and that the work had been well done.
I think it my duty to call the courts
attention to this.
The court: Who is is this juror.
Stard up.
MI. Ruff, a N, 70 )er Of the panel,
stood up ard was sWorn on his Volr
dire at the direction OF the court.
@. Now, Nj. B #, state what oc
CURED.
a. We were going along as urt
acj urned, going to dinner, and were
approached by man in the street,
Mr. Johnson from Rldgeway. he
spoke to US and said that it was an
outrage for suit of this kind to &C
on. That the work was well done
he spoke it in the presence OF MI.
Kelly, Mr.. Blair and myself. He al
so said be was going home.
Court: Is Mr. Johnson In curt.
Mr.. Riff: He is not here now. l
d. not see him
The court: Gail him at the dor.
MI. Barron, I do not think Nh.
Johnson Is here. H. Is one OF the
original State house commissioners,
and was member OF the house OF
representatives. We had him sub
poenaed here as witness. He is now
State senator from Fairfield comfy
he appros c led US before court ad.
urned and stated that on acc unit
OF sickness IN bis family be desired to
20 home this evening at 4 O'Clock and
we told him We would telegraph him
In clSe we needed him.
The court: Telegraph him to come
bere. II you do not l will have a
rule served on him.
Mr.. Barron: AL right, sir.
TIE court: Ask him to be here
F-iday.