The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-21
THE wATCHMAN AND SOUTHRON, FEBRUARY 81. 1906

\
strenuously that such was the case
and charged that those who beileveo
| II but measured himself by their own
yard stick.
Hubbeu had given him the oppof-
ttunitv to start the dispensary by SELL
ing to the State on credit So when II
came to the rebates on the first ship
ment e. matter of cents a gallon on
the cologne spirits used to rectify), ne
told Hubbell that the latter could use
that money himself as the State OF
South Carolina was grateful to him for
assisting to start the dispensary by
permitting it to buy on credit.
| Mr.. Bellinger ard Mr.. Welsh asked
the witness some very direct questions
along this line and had the witness
been in the Supreme court room where
he could not have made any lengthy
speeches every time a question was
asked, they might have tangled him
up, but he INDUCED in argument with
the attorneys it is well known
that Senator Tillman can argue.
! He admitted that the charges he has
made are that there are no competi-
tive bids and he had admitted none
when he bought from Hubbell; and as
to the charge of excessive amount OF
stock on hand, Mr.. Welsh asked him
some eye-opening questions in regard
to the dispensary working off ''hard
stock in the last two years, stuff
handed down to this administration.
The whole affair was very much en-
ioyed as a regular. campaign meeting
in the summer time.
TIlman and Evans.
AS Senator Tillman was walking out
of the hall he met Chairman H. H.
Evans. They shook hands and Mr..
Evans pleasantly suggested that folks
had been lying on him. Senator Till
man laughingiy said that folks will
talk. whereupon the chairman Of the
State board said That anyone who said
i he stole any money or was thief was
all sorts of something unprintable.
Senator Tillman said that was right
and to .scuss OUT the fellows who said
anything about him. It all seemed
good natured and pleasant, but rather
spicy language was used.
The Evidence.
By Mr.. Lyon: @. Have you any in
formation in regard to any graft, re-
bate, or improper dealing on the part
of any dispensary official or any rec
ord about the dispensary?
Senator Tillman-Before I answer
any question, I would like to know If
r am to. answer the questions pro
pounding according to the strict rules
Of Evidence or am I to be allowed the
latitude to make mysz clearly under
stood.
Chairman Hay-state it in your
own way
Mr.. Lyon-That is perfectly salts
factory to us. Can you give us an in
stance where any dispensary Official
received any rebate or graft or any
money in any improper way?
Senator Tillman-In order to be
able to have myself set Alright and
have the committee understand just
what know and what don't know
and what I believe upon very strong
evidence, will have to answer that
question in my own way.
Chairman Hay-Go ahead, sir.
Senator lillman-As to knowing
specifically of any instance Of my own
knowledge that any such thing has
occurred answer no. And as for the
reasons which have Influenced me in
interviews and in speeches in saying
what I Rave said I will give the foun-
dation for my opinion. The first thing
to which T direct your attention.
sed these papers (Senator Tillman ex-
hipits a printed sheet), had these
papers sent here from the State dis
pensary, having telegraphed to have
them in my reach.
Mr.. Lyon: Inasmuch as the senator
has answered the question so far as
mis- own knowledge is concerned in the
negative. T have one other question
which I conceive desirable to put to
the senator and I will be through
with him. While you were in charge
of the dispensary did you receive any
money, rebates, graft or in any i'm
proper way from the Mill Creek Dis
tilling Company
A did not
@. Did you receive it from any
source?
A. NO.