The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-16

they had made good. They presented
only one witness, but what a mess he
made of the Spartanburg board. The
committee may or may not intend so,
but the thought will be that it is such
a disease that is polluting the whole
body polite.
1t is true that but the one side is
being heard, and it is always well to
wait until the case is closed before
rendering the verdict, but if dispen-
sers' jobs are bought and sold here,
why not elsewhere? The work Of the
Christensen-Lyon subcommittee is
being sp1endidly handled. They did
team work here today, and Mr.. Lyon
handled the presentation of the Nor
ris testimony, and withstood in a
manly way the little technical points
presented by Mr.. Chas. P. Sims, who
represents C. o. Smith, the alleged
offending chairman Of the county
board of control.
When the meeting was called to
order Mr.. Fraser Lyon arose and
begged to read the two following let
ters:
Mr.. Henry's Letter.
Mr. 7. Fraser Lyon, AbbeviIle, S.
C.-sir: am very sorry that I did
not see you when you were in Spar
.tanburg. was around the hotel two
or three times and hoped to see you,
but did not. Mr.. Walker telephoned
me one day from Cedar Spring to
get you to telephone him when you
came to the Office and this led me to
expect you would come, so missed
seeing you. On the .ast day you
md Mr.. Christensen were here I Was
tcl1 that man VIII had been de-
t.s.ed for dispenser la; made an alb
surd statement to your committee
r.;aiive to my newspaper The story
h~ told only possessed a sufficient
eiement of truth t. eauss. an igao;
ant mind to give it a venal character,
which it does not possess at all. To-
day 1 looked up Mr.. Note and asked
him to take a statement from me rel
alive to the matter, which he did,
and he told me that he would for
ward it to you. I know in justice to
me, you will give consideration IN
connection with the outrageous story
referred. to, and hope/you will
have your committee do so. You
will find that statement full, free and
frank and clearly justifying my ac-
ton in the matter. However, if there
are any inquiries that you wish made,
and you will forward them to Mr..
Motto. I shall be glad to answer them.
I am sorry that I did not have an
opportunity before your COMMITTEES
as I am sure it would have been diff
ferent from the story told you.
With best wishes, I am yours truly,
Charles II. Henry.
To this he replied:
MR.. LYONS REPLY.
April %, 1905.
To Mr. Charles H. Henry, Spartan
burg, S. C.-Dear Sir: Your letter Of
the 27th instant received and I reply
at once. I will say that af1davits
taken while in Spartanburg will be
presented to the whole commission az
its next meeting for such action as
may be decided upon at that time.
Mr. Christensen and I are simply
gathering up such Information as we
can obtain and are trying to put no
construction upon it whatsoever. This
information is not for publication at
present and will not be given to the
papers until the, committee is fully
aware of it. AS for myself, will say
that shall insist that ali persons in
terested in the dispensary investiga-
ton or affected by it, be given a full
hearing and an opportunity to ex-
plain or rebut any charges that may
be made. I am sure that l voice the
attitude Of the whole commission
when say this. We shall not white
wash nor persecute, but shall en-
deavor to be fair and impartial in all
matters relating to the investigation.
I will show your letter to the other
members of the commission and will
ask that you be allowed a hearing
when the matter is reached. Yours
truly,
j. Fraser Lyon.
After consultation, on motion Of
Mr. Thomas Fraser, the reply of Mr..
Lyon was approved, and Mr.. CASTOR
suggested that Messrs. Christensen