The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-14
SUMTER c.. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY H. 1906
A DISPENSARY SENSATION.
Iit.MARK ABLE LETTER RESI- r
RECTED AFTER FIVE YEARS.

1t is Letter From }. r. FAINT, Dis
pesary Constable Then, and Now
Chief of Division, to Senator B.
r. Tillman, Charging Various Crimes
in Connection With the Dispensary.
Columbia, February 11.-More than
five years ago, Chief State Constable j.
R. Fant made a serious complaint to
Senator 3. R. Tillman with regard to
certain phases of the dispensary busi-
ness. The complaint at that time was
almost entirely with regard to the
constabulary. Mr.. Fant was then, and
is now, a division chief on the con-
stabulary force, and has been regard
ed as an efficient officer. So far as is
known, there was nothing done with
the formal 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 personally
interested.
+ The, letter has been read before the
investigation committee by Mr.. Lyon,
having been submitted by Mr.. James
II. Tillman, with the accompanying
letter:
February 2, 1906.-The Hon. J. T.
Hay, Chairman Committee Investiga-
ton, Columbia, S. C.-Mr. Chairman:
Some time ago Mr.. ]. r. Fant, chief
constable, testified before the investi-
eating committee, of which you are
chairman, about a letter he had writ
ten Senator Tillman concerning dis
pensary 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 consider
alton. While the letter was written
in confidence to Senator Tillman it can
no longer be so regarded, in view Of
the fact that Mr.. Fant has called at
tention to it in his testimony.
For reason that certain newspapers
have, by insinuation, sought to create
the impression that it was suppressed
with the motive and purpose, as has
49,, ,rfl 01 ~
certain parties from their wrong do
ing in justice to me as we'll as Senator
Tiliman, the letter is transmitted for
the consideration Of the committee.
What truth is contained III the let
,er I do not know, but I am advised
hat Governor McSweeney was il. pos
6 :ss!on OF the facts il contains Sircc
he. as chief Executive of the STATE.
and responsible for the honest admin
istration of the dispensary law. did not
see fit to probe the matter. it would
have been presumption on ny 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 same
publicity of the one Of Mr.. FAINT. Re
spectfully, James R. Tillman.
P. S.-You Will oblige me by return
ing the original after your committee
has used same
The letter TO Senator Tillnan reads:
Spartanburg. S. c., Dec. 30, 1901.
Senator B. R. Tillman, Trenton, s.
c. Dear Sir: 1 know that you will be
surprised to receive such a letter from
me. but feel it my duty to let ycu
know the situation. knowing tbs. IN
crest that you have taken in the dis
pensary law and It's enforcement The
management Of the d:spensary Ian
has become corrupt. Men are specu
lating on constabulary positions. They
sell chiefs place for $50 and a pr
va-e's place from S25 10 $50. Tk;s
city seemed to have beer headGuar-
ISFS. Mi blil MCOONGI. OUlleO STATES
commissioner and former partner i!
the practice OF law in this city. is So
liciting agent He sends the applica-
tions to someone in Columbia, and
I they get the governor to appoint the
parties Mr.. MCGOWAN told number
of parties that Nf. L. X. Gunter was
getting the appointments at Cciunl-
bia. I exposed the whole thing 10, the
governor. and they now have adopted
another plan by taking part of the
constable's salary at the end Of each
month. They also speculate on the
county boards of control position One
of the county board Of control of this
county Mr Mark Rudisal, told me in
the presence of another gentleman
that he paid L. X Gunter S125 for his
position on the board. The county
board is corrupt. especially as to beer
privileges I have abundant proof Of
this fact s G. LaFar, constable that