The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-13
DIsPENsARY SENSATION.
Letter Made Public From Constable
FAINT to Tillman Written Five
Years Ago.

GAN11 NV .'N>NA'
State Constable j. r. FAINT made a
serious complaint to Senator b. h,
';illman with regard to certain phases
Of the dispensarv business. The
complaint at that time was almost
entirely with regard to the constabu-
larv. FAINT was then, and is now, a
division chief on the constabularE
force and has been regarded as all
efficient officer. So far as is known,
there was nothing done with the for
NAL complaint that Chief Fant filed
with Senator Tillman more than five
years ago. and it has not yet been
made to appear that it was reported
to those who were chiefly and per-
sonally interested.
The letter has been read before the
investigating committee by Mr.. Lyon,
having been submitted by Mr.. James
II. Tillman. with the accompanying
letter:
February ,, l906.-The Hon. ). I.
Hay, Chairman Committee lnvesti-
CATION, Columbia, S. C.-Mr. Chair
man: Some time ago Mr.. J. R. FAINT,
chief constable, testified before the
investigating committee, Of which you
are chairman about letter he had
written Senator Tillman concerning
dispensary affairs in South Carolina,
and, by my uncle, turned over to me.
I was absent from the state at the
time on professional business. In as
sorting various letters I today ran
across the one in question and submit
it to the committee for their consld-
Grafton: While the letter was writ
ten in confidence to Senator Tillman,
it can no longer be so regarded, IN
view of the fact that Mr.. FAINT has
called attention to it in his testimony.
For reasons that certain newspa-
pcrs have. by insinuatiou, sought to
create the impression that it was sup
pressed with the motive and purpose,
as has been unjustly alleged, OF
screening certain parties from their
wrong doing, in justice to me as well
as Senator Tillman, the letter IS trans
naitted for the consideration OF the
committee.
What truth is contaile? in the let
ter do not know, but I am advised
that Governor McSweeney. was IN
possession of the facts 1t contains.
Since he, as, chief executive Of the
state, and responsible for the honest
administration of the dispensary law,
did not see fit to probe the matter, 1t
would have been presumption on my
part as lieutenant governor to ever
have made a suggestion.
In order to:keep the record straight
I ask that this letter be given the
y same publicity Of the one Of Mr.
FAINT. Respectfully,
James H. Tillman.
p. S.-You will oblige me by re-
turning the original after your com
ajttee has used same.
The letter to Senator Tiiiman reads
Spartanburg... s.. c., Dec. 20. l9U.
Senator B.raR. Tillman; Trenton
s. c.. Dear Sir: / know that You will
be surprised to receive such letter
from me, but | feel it my duty to lei
Won know the situation. knowing the
interest that you have taken IN the
aispensary law and its enforcement
The management Oh tlle "i'P
law has become corrupt. Men ar
speculating on constabnlary posi-
tions. They sell chiefs place TO
$50 and a private's place from S2'
to $50. This city seemed to hav
been headquarters. Mr.. Bill mellow
an United States commissioner AM
former partner in the practice of laV
in this city. is soliciting agent. n
sends the applications to someone Il
Columbia. and they get the governo
to appoint the parties. Mr.. McGowa'
told number of parties that Mr.. I
x. Gunter was getting the appoint
ments at Columbia. I exposed tn