The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-30

no serious intention of carrying out
she threat to xiii Officer Weeks, Depu-
" Sheriff Weeks, Officer Boykin or
Afr. Brown, for had he such a purpose
in mind the last thing he would have
done would have been to put his in
tended victims on guard. The letter
was undoubtedly the work Of some
evil disposed person, but we do not
believe the writer represents anyone
but himself, and the letter itself is the
best evidence that the writer is more
OF a fool than anything else. Officer
Weeks and the others named in the
setterAare abundantly able to take care
of themselves and we see no reason
for any excitement over the matter.
The Pythian Grand Lodge adjourn
ed Wednesday afternoon and the sew
eral hundred delegates who were the
guests Of the city for two days have
all departed to, their homes. The
meeting was the largest in the history
of the order and we believe it was
success in every respect. The people
of Sumter were glad to entertain the
knights and the best we could wish is
that they carried away with them as
pleasant recollections of Sumter as
Sumter viii always have of them.
The tragic death of Mr.. ]. E. Tindal
of Clarendon county in Columbia last
week as the result Of a fall from a
street car was a, great shock TO- his
relatives and friends in the city, where
ne was a frequent visitor, and was well
and favorably known.
The candidates now know where
and when they are to address the
voters whose suffrage they seek. The
itinerary arranged by the special com
nittee appointed by the State execu-
tive committee is probably the best
and most convenient that could be
agreed upon.
Personal dishonesty-briDe-taking,
rebate-swiping, grating of all de-
scriptions-has been from the outset
the fy in the dispensary ointment
The dispensary system has great po-
tentialities for good, and has, even its
enemies admit, accomplished good in
this State, and but for the grating
proeliyities Of those responsible for its
management the system would not
now be in disrepute with a large ele-
ment Of people. Thus it is both
right and proper that the investigating
committee should investigate the per-
senal affairs OF those who are in con-
troll :of the dispensary if there is
ground for belief that these person
aP' affairs: So called, relate TO or are
connected with the dispensary graft.
If this proper investigation is to be
smut OFF by killing the present investl-
gators, as Director Black threatened,
there will be others to take it up and
push it to a finish. If it is not peril
nent to the investigation ordered by
the legislature to find. out how dispen-
sary officials acquired wealth in
short period while receiving small sal
aries = IS hard to see what is perti-
nent This is the chief end Of the en-
fire investigation, and this hue and
cry abort the effort Of the committee
fo b1acken the personal characters
of dispensa1y officials by bringing the
facts to light will deceive no one, ex-
cept those who are willing to be blind
It is to be hoped that Messrs. Lyon
and Christensen will continue their
personal Investigations until al the
facts are laid bare.
viii Director Black shoot Governor
Hevwara and blow him UP on the spot
az he removes him from office? Re
raoyal eader the circumstances would
be a very personal matter and Direc-
tor Black is on record as objecting to
anything personal.
The best news published lately is
that Senator Tillman will not attend
au the campaign meetings this sum-
mer. If he Will think again and de-
eide to forego all the meetings he will
be doing both himself and the public
q good turn.
The town Of Manning is beginning
TO awake to the necessity of more ana
better railroad facilities and to that end
is negotiating with the Aldernans to
extend their road from Alco!u to Man