The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-01-23
An INVESTIGATION NEEDED.
CHRISTENSEN RESOLUTION GOES
TO THIRD READING.

State Senate Thinks the Alleged
.Oyers1ocking of the Dispensary
Should be Inquired Into-Motion
TO XIII Resolution Overwhelmingly
Defeated.
Columbia, Jan. 15.-The senate
met this morning at II o'clock, and,
with the exception Of a presentation
Of Z loving cup to Lieutenant Gov
ernor John T. Sloan, the senate con-
suned the day in the discussion Of the
concurrent resolution introduced last
night by Senator Christensen, which
provides for the formation Of COM
u,ittee to investigate the oyerstock
now on hand at the State dispensary.
A motion TO strike out the enacting
words was lost by a vote of 20 to 3,
and the Christensen resolution WAS
passed.
The resolution was first cons.aered
before the senate went to the house
to take part in the inaugural ceremo-
MES, and was taken up again immedi-
ateIy upon the senate reconvening. a
motion was made by Senator Blease
to adjourn, which was lost.
The senate then took up the ccnsid-
Grafton Of the resolution and at times
the discussion grew acrid. Senator
Blease opposed the resolution in Wig
erous terms, stating that it was moth
ing more than a slap at the present
Investigating committee, and that it
was bid for cheap notoriety on the
part OF some. During the first hour
of the discussion Senator Blease re-
ferred to the Tatum letter as his
platform for reelection, and Senator
Appel took exception to the charac-.
terfzation Of the senator from Newber-
ry. There was & tilt between t. se men
during which Senator Blease stated
tf.at he characterized things as he
saw ft, and that he would continue
! to do so in the euture.
Senator Applet thought that there
ought to be some propriety observed,
and that the senate was not polit--
ical convention.
Senator Blease and others were Of
the opinion that there was no use Cor
the committee. He stated that the
resolution was nothing more than a
snbterfuge to have a test vote on the
dispensary question, and that he was
opposed to such methods. # the
Aver resolution had come into the
senate Mr.. Blease said he would have
opposed it.
Senator Toole favored the resolu-
ton, saying that further investigation
was to be desired. Senator Weston
also favored the resolution. taking an
opportunity to express himself in fa-
svor of the dispensary.
Mr.. Christensen stated in defence Of
his resolution that he did lot think
that the old committee had at present
any status and that other members Of
the committee were Of the same opin-
ion.
Senator Raysor favored the inves-
tigation, saying that it was due the
public. He took occasion to praise
the work Of the investigating commit
tee, and stated that in his opinion
the resolution did not in any way re-
aect upon its members. From the
letter Of the commissioner there is a
large overstock on hand, which is
prohibited by the law, and bankruptcy
.,tares the institution in the face.
The resolution was discussed by
Senators Black, Of Bamberg. Appest,
of Clarendon, Laney of Chesterfield,
Rogers of Marlboro, Crouch of Sa-
luda, Wells, of Florence, and Sinkler,
of Charleston, all of the senators be-
ing in favor Of the resolution. Sena-
tors MCGOWAN and Blease spoke sew
eral times in opposition to the resolu-
ton, Senator MCGOWAN making the
motion to strike out the resolving
words, which was lost.
There was colloquy between Sen
ator Blease and Senator Crouch. dur
ing which Senator Crouch asked a
ator ic.:j. iat2 .atu pFf,tDf rict,ze
number of pertinet questions of the
senator from Newberry. Mr.. Crouch
wanted to know if Senator B'ease
thought that if the statements made
in the letter OF Commissioner Tatum
were true the men responsible for the
overstock would not be Liable for
criminal prosecution. Senator Blease
stated that they would be. An amend
nent was then introduced by Senator
Crouch, which called for criminal