The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-07-18
LYONS REPLY
TO TIE DENeNCIAIlON OF SENA.
TOR 3. r. TiLLMAN.

TO TRE DENeNCIAIlON OF SENA-
TOR 3. r. TlLLMAN.
He Admits that the Committee Found
Nothing Against the
Senator.
To the Editor OF The State:
No5 having been present at the
mestipg at the State house. Monday
night it was impossible Tor me TO
know Just what remarks had been
made BY Senator Tillnan IN regard to
myself, but assuming the reports in
the morning papers to be correct l
will say that it is quite fattering to
know that the senator has approved o1
every position I as one Of the minor
ity members Of the committee have
taken. am glad to feel that 81
though de1ouncing me, Senator Till
Gan practically approved OF sll my
york and Efforts on the Investigating
committee-if not directly, then In
directly.
he wanted to know why we did not
examine witnesses brought here from
NeWbsrry in February. The answer
ne should know. Had my vote been
euth ,ient, the committee would have
insisted on the evidence from these
witnesses being made a part OF our re-,
cords.
he wanted to know why the com.
mittse did not ask MI. L. ". Parker
Who Lsnahan's political agent was
last year. Senator Tlllman should
have known by the published vote OF
the committee that T was not respon-
sible Tor this failure. I did ask those
questions. The majority OF the COM
mittee voted that MI. Parker should
not answer.
Senator Tillnan sustsins me in my
position In those contentious as well
as in the matter Of the suspended pay
nens OF the 500. 1000 worth OF claims.
BE asked why was not the manager
Of the Rchlsnd distiilery put on the
stand to corrcborate the evidence OF
G. G. Davis that &. II. Evans had
told Of Wilson and himself climbing
on table to watch through a tran
som to see rebates paid to Others.
The reason is that Briggs Wilson, at
that time manager OF the distillery,
has moved to Georgia and we have
not been able to get information from
hin. That, Senator Tillnan is one
Of the reasons why he was never put
on the stand.
About the piano incident. The
committee employed q detective to
report on what he could find relative
to all dispensary affairs. This detec'
tive formally and in writing reported
to the subcommittee that he had
oeen told by MI. Hayes, who was at
that time connected officially with the
Mill Creek D!stilling company had
given to Gov. Tillnao a piano. It
saS the duty OF the committee, as !
saw it, to inquire into such q report.
MI. Hayes was seen and failed to
confirm the report submitted to the
committee. After irqliry by the
committee had failed to secure any
credissble evidence, the piano incident
wss dropped AID forgotten, especially
SIS Mr. M. a. Mslone had previously
fully explained the purchase OF the
piano in 1891.
It was never charged OF stated by
me that Gov. Tiliman had received a
piano from a whiskey house, but there
vas rumor to that ef:ct, and that
there was rurnor 10 that effac5 the
official records Of the subcommittee
will show. That was all that was
ever said about the piano. Even
Senator Tlllman insisted upon iull in
vestigauion OF his every act connected
with tie dispenssry apd yet fail to
zee the harm OF this irQ1icy, out Sen
ator Tillman should rejoice at the
failure to ino corroborstion OF the ru
nor that piano lad been sent him
oy the Mil Greek Distilling company.
It would be humilisting to me to
know thst at q public meeting had
been ri3htfully accused OF stating g
falsehood; but knowing that l have
always stated the truth and that the
irate Senator cannot substantiate his
charge in this respect-he not even at
emptipg to do so-the shaft which
he had intended to be deadly to me
will fall harmlessly at my side.
I cannot bslieve tnst the Justice
loving people ct South Carolina would
aid Senator Tnlnan il the acccmp-
iishment Of bis purpose to defeat me.
To the people OF South Carolina I will
ssy that it is my purpose to continue
in the course I have heretofore pur-
sued and will not be moved by person.
81 attacks, nor will I handy abusive
epithsts with any one. regret that
Senator Tillman feels personally ag
grieyeo on account Of bis being inves
tigased but that has not bsen an un-
common happening to US in our work.
However, Senator Tillman Is the only
one known to me seeking revenge on
account Of it.
Senator Tillnar might have in
uuired what the committees had found
In tracking down this one OF many ru-
ners and I gladly would have told
him the result Of our inquiry. But be
may hava preferred to fondle the i'm
agiDary grievance to have q hook on
which to hang abuse instead oi argu-
nent. o. Is he reslly mad because 1t
vas my duty to present 30 the people
of the State convincing evidence OF
the inherent corruption Of the dispen.
;sry system which be is working SO
aard to save. I wonder, had I agreed
10 whitewash the dispensary system,
would such TRADE have been direct
sgainsJ me. :. FEAsER LYON,
Given Damages.
The Columbia Record says for in
uries caused by a pulley set screw,
shich caught in his sleeve and caused
;he manning of his hand, Melvin