The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-16
Tillman and Evans.

Evans pleasantly suggested that folks
had been lying on the senior senator
as they had on him. Senator Tillman
laughingly said that folks will talk,
whereupon the chairman Of the state
board said that anyone who said he
stole any money or was thief was
all sorts Of something unprintable.
Senator Tillman said that was right
and to "cuss OUT the fellows who
said anything about him. It all SEEM
ed good natured and pleasant, but
rather spicy language was used.
| The Evidence.
! By Mr.. Lyon: Q. Have you any in
formation in regard to any graft re-
bate, OF 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
I am to answer the questions pro-
pounded according to the strict rules
of evidence or am to be allowed the
latitude to make myself clearly un-
derstood.
Chairman Hay-State it in your
own way.
Mr. Lyon-That is perfectly salts
factory to us Can you give us an
instance 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 I know and what I don't know
and what I believe upon very strong
evidence, I will have to answer that
question IN my own way.
Chairman Hay-Go ahead, sir
Senator Tillman-As to knowing
specifically of any instance Of any own
knowledge that any such thing has
occurred | answer no. And as for
the reasons that Influenced me in in
terviews and in speeches in saying
what I have said. I will give the
foundation for my opinion. The first
thing to which I direct your atten-
toni had these papers (Senator
Tillman exhibits printed sheet), l
had these papers sent here from the
, state dispensary, having telegraphed
to have them in my reach.
MI. Lyon: Inasmuch as the senator
has answered the question so far as
his own knowledge is concerned in the
negative, l have one other question
which | conceive desirable to put to
the senator and l will be through with
him. While you were in charge Of
the dispensary did you receive any
money in rebates, graft or in any I'M
proper way from the. Mil Creek dis
pensarv company.
4. I did not.
Q. Did you receive it from any
source?
\. No. In order to present the
situation, the state OF my public ut
teranees through the press and other
wise, in connection with the dlshon-
esty or mismanagement IN the state
Gispensary management, | want to
read right here the official advertise
ment or circular for bids to supply
the state with liquor. | want to say
as preliminary that I had no dream
of being summoned here. I had writ
ten to the chairman of the commit
tee last September, when I was at
home doing nothing, offering to come
before the committee any time lie
might see fit to summon me to siye
any information and suggestion IN NY
possession. After I reached Washing
ton and was busily engaged, for /
was. with duties, and I have been
quite active, if l do say it myself:
since this session of congress conven-
ed, and I did not look for a summons.
and when | saw in the papers yester-