The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-11
Mr.. FRASER LYON MAD.
s.xS TH4T TILIMAN is TRYING
To BEIITTLE COMMITTEE.
sTney win Investigate Him-The Dis
pensary IS 50 Corrupt That Even the
Inyestigators Are Suspected, He
Writes.

Investigators are SHspeceeu' e
writes.
From The State.
senator Tllman in MANIFESTO
which he gave to the public recently
attacked a great many people and Of
fcia,s. not even sparing the members
Of the committee appointed to inves-
tigate the affairs OF the State dispen-
sary. That reference has been taken
by Mr. ]. fraser Lyon as an effort to
discredit the investigating committee
ana in letter to the attorney for
nouor house Mr.. Lyon has expressed
himself rather forcibly in regard TO
senator Illman's statement.
The letter of Mr.. Lyon has been Sc
enred for publication after some eff
fort on the part Of The State. but the
aftorney to whom it is addressed asks
that his name be kept out of it. Fol-
loving IS the communication
Abbeville, S. c., April 8, 1905.
NY Dear Sir: Your two letters of re-
cent date were received by me upon
my return home yesterday after an
absence OF about two weeks. You will,
therefore, understand why you have
not had an earlier reply. While it is
( true ttat I do not think there is any
good reason for Withholding payment
of the claim of the Cook & Bernheim-
er company OF. New York still, as
have said heretofore, will not give
my consent to the payment of this o7
any other dispensary claim now held
up until the matter Of such payment
is discussed at a public session Of our
committee
feel sure that you viii appreciate
nv position in this matter, especially
since the publication of Senator Till
mans address to the People OF South
Carolina in which he says: s'Is there
not plenty Of opportunity for more
graft and secret transactions in regard
TO the settlement Of these accounts?
VIII NOT the legislative committee be
suspected Of corruption if it does not
get in the middle Of the road and stay
fhere-tnat is, stand by the law, obey
Il itself and require others to do so?
WHY so much delay?"
You see this additional reason for
my position. It is unfortunate for your
clients to have had dealings with an
institution which no one can even in
vestigate without having it suggested
or insinuated that he may be a graft
e or at least has good opportunity.
to steal. While I regard this reference
TO onr committee as only a shrewd at
tempt to shake public confidence in US
and intended to obstruct and interfere
With ou- work, which is evidently be-
coming distastefrl to many OF those
who are irrevoca bly, welded to the fdls-
pensary, still when see this prone
ness to criticise Us wish to be espec-
iaIly careful not to put myself in
position that could with even color
Of justice be criticised.
In your letter Of March 26 you
practically asked the question, and
sincerely, why so much delay?' !
know no fact that I have learned in
the d!speasarv investigation that l
shall Intentionally hold from the pub
lie. Some times I do not think for the
success OF the Investigation to reveal
come to me. Or to disclose our plans
for the future, so in this case I will
answer your question only so far as
think the present status Of the inves-
tigation justifes.
We are trying to get the facts in
gard to several suspicious matters
which we think should be investigated.
Among them is the statement, as re-
call it, Of Senator Tillman that he
returned certain rebates to distillery.
We wish to find the credits on the
books Of the distillery showing the
amount Of rebates which Senator Till
man said he returned as a gift for the
gratitude he felt to the liquor concern
crediting the State OF South Carolina.
Besides this there had come to my
ears a r,,mor-the source Of which I
do not now recall, but rumor which
think should be looked into-that
Senator Tillran when governor was
presented with piano by liquqor