The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-21
SENATOR FAILED TO
PRODUCE The PROOF
IA IlBaaa Made a Speech Before the
Committee, Mounted Speakers Desk

zea HUMAN haae SpeeGa belets tas
esnnIstse, Mounted Speakers Desk
no PROCEEDED TO "RAAT"
me Sum Total OF Nothing Was the
81 Result OF senator Tflln1an's Testi-
naony ON Dispensary Corruption.
From The State.
After the conclusion Of the hearing
Srf the evidence of Senator B. r.
Haliman before the dispensary inves-
gating committee yesterday, the
members Of the dispensary board were
congratulated by their friends on
account of the lack of results from the
riisit Of this witness. For Senator
Tsaman made no direct charges
against any member Of the board.
While Senator Tillman mades charges
an general terms throughout the State
last summer in his speeches, there
were never any specific accusations.
me committee Of Investigation re-
eeived messages from Senator Tiilman
IA which he stated that he would like
to appear before them. It was
rhought that when he did appear for
EaalN Senator Tillman would" make
Eood. He gave the committee some
good advice yesterday. but even that
was almost gratutious, for the COM
nitte has been working on the lines
recommended.
IN The State OF last Saturday there
appeared an interview in which Sen
ator Tllman said: .srhe enemies of
the dispensary, who for years have
cantroued the State, have been put
ing men in charge Of it who have
znismanaged it, stolen from it, brought
at into bad repute'' The committee
has been trying to find somebody who
mad stolen from the State dispensary
and thought this would be a good
slime to invite Senator Tillman here.
Senator Tillman came and failed to
specify.
The committee was invited yester-
day to hold the examination Of Sen
ater TiHman in the hail Of the house
OF Representatives. Mr.. Lyon object
ed seriously, and the ground Of his
objection was proved a good one by
subsequent events. He thought that
The sessions Of the committee could
be CONDUCTED with more decorurn in
The committee room. However, the
majority Of the committee thought the
wish of the house of representatives
should be regarded.
Senator Tillman arrived in the house
of representative at p. M, and there
was some time lost in arranging
place for the committee and stenog-1
raphers to sit Finally Senator Till
man decided to take his post up on
top of the speakers desk where he
could see and be seen. He declared
incidentalIy that this was another Of
his record breaking feats and when he
had succeeded the audience applaud
ed his great achievement of mounting
the box, where he remained seated
throughout the session of the commit
tee. He was practically enthroned
and was almost out Of reach Of the
incisive thrusts Of lawyers.
sS When Senator Tiiiman had taken
his place, Mr.. Lyon practically washed
his hands OF the spectacular part Of
The performance by asking few di-
rect questions to which he received
snswers which really should have put
an end to the matter, for the senator's
answer to the very first question
showed that he could not substantiate
the charges he has been making
However, he went on in speech,
which some in the audience denomi-
mated as stump speech, to give his
epinicns There was nothing new in
1hese, practically repetition of his
campaign speech at Marion last sum-
mer just before the dispensary was
voted out Of that county.
In the course Of his remarks Sena-
stpr TIlman scolded the committee for
mot going down into the private affairs
OF men who had got rich by the dis
pensary, but he would not give any
names of parties to whom he was re-
ierring and thus aid the committee.
The value Of Senator Tillman's infor-
nation was very little; his advice may
have been worth something; the moral
effect Of such a melodramatic- per-
formance will not be OF much service
TO the committee in the further pros
So