The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-02-14
Constable Fanl's Letter 10 Senator B. R.
TiIIman.


The four -car-oId letter Of CoDsta-
bic >. X. Fant to Senator Is. X. TIL
man, now III tho hands of the legisla-
tive investigating committee is one of
the must interesting documents vet
Produced IN the investigation, as it
shows that an official holding office
under tho dlsprnsary law was even in
lJOl willing I'D sustain charges OF cor
ruptiDn in the system.
The letter III full is as follows:
SpaItanburg, $. G.,
Dec. 80, 1901.
Senator Il. X. Tillman, Trenton. $. G.
Dear Sir: ! know that you will be
surprised to receive such letter from
me, but feel it my duty to let you
know the situation, knowing the inter-
est hat you have taken in the dispen-
Sa'y law and its enforcement. The
management OF the dispcneary law has
become corrupt. Men are speculating
chiefs place for $3.50 and O private's
place from S25 to $50. This city seem
ed to havo been headquarters. Mr..
Bill Mcfiowan, United States Commits
s!oner and former partner Of U. X.
Gunter IN the practice Of law in this
city, is soliciting agent. He sends the
spRt!catlona to sonie one in Columbia
ana they get the governor to appoint
tie parties. Mr. MCGOWAN told q
ter was getting the appointments at
Columbia. l exposed the whole thing
to 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
tbe county boards of control position.
Onc OF the county board Of control of
this county, Dir. Mark Rudisal, told me
that he paid U. X. Gunter S1s5 70: his
position on the board. The county
board 1s corrupt, especially as to beer
privileges. l have abundant proof Of
this fact. s. G.. LaFar, the Constable
that yon discharged at Florence for
Immoral conduct, has become COM
mon thief. He is the chief constable
Stationed at Greenville. He seizes
liquor IN the name OF the State and
enlps 1t to State officials rs presents.
He shipped five gallons to Cof. w, w.
Harrie, who is in charge Of the con-
stabutary force of the State and also
clerk OF tho State board Of control,
Mr. Harris has received other presents
from MIN that were eeized In the name
OF the State; / have proofs of num-
Ders or pistols that this man seized in
the name OF the State and converted
told me- that Mr. w. w. Harris had
received money for getting persons on
the cOnetabularv force; that he him
self had paid him through Mr.. Dan
Miles tor making him chief consta-
j. E. Moorehead told me that Mr..
Hnarris ordeFedg him not to seize
Told him that Ben David. q noted
blind tiger in Columbia, would have a
and for him not to Interfere with him.
J Mr: Harris has complete control in
Golqmbia for q number of years aud
curing th6t time the blind tigers have
1ee1 just as bad as they have been in
CharieBfon. You remember how com
pletsiy broke them up in Columbia
only sell from their pockets. I have
| been to Columbia twice on official
business during the administration of
| me present governor and they made
me pay my railroad exponses to and
from, l am satisfied that this was
done by afr. Harris to keep me away
from columbia 40 that wenld ne.
catch On to the rascality that was be-
ing practiced there. / lave oniy men
toned q few Of the charges that j
could bring, against the officers that
have mentioned If an investigation
was held. I would respectfully ask
you 20 uae your influence to oust Col.
W. w. Harris ffTOm tho p0aitiun ::hui
ne now occupies es he is damaging the
atspensary law BY his management Of
the same. If the present governor
oilers for ro-electlon and uses the Same
tactica that he did before he will cer-
tainly be elected. Mr.. Harris hiref]
private detectives to 60 to ali the cam
palgn meetiDgs in THE county at ag
per diem to electioneer for him and
Paid them out OF the dispensary fund.
! AZ these detectives were used in all thc
counties: you can guess what an effect
| H--Yould have. i do not think. tint
! sucn expense should be charged Rup
| against the dispensary law or made tu
appear as expenses In the enforcement
|ot the law. L can name these iletec-
tives il necessary, Senator.
| l nave written you this in .strict
confidence. l am moro than Willing
TO 60 before any Investigating com.
mlttee and bring out the facts that ]
nave stated IN this letter by giving
oates and ,sitnesaes to prove the same,
and know q dozen other cOnstables
who nre anxious to GO before com
mittee and testify. ne toIIwhat they
kpoW. have not kept ali}this to nv
seli but have told two, of the legisia-
tnsesiea CT sGHiS 3f.tbis sssca,;:v.: +
write this 30 that you can I'D yise as I
&c not wish to do anything to hurt the
ENlspensary law With "Eindaah 80