The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-03-11
4 DIspEMslRy MYSTERY.
STORY OF FRICTION AMONG
TIE MEMBERS.

Some Comment On Why Mr.. Arthur,
the Union Member, Never Attended
Commission Meetings-Saii to be a
Matter of Expenses.
The Columbia correspondent of the
Spartanburg Journal sends to that
newspaper the following interesting
story:
The fact that r. F.. Arthur, presi-
dent Of O cotton mill and a bank at
his home in Union. and q member Of
tho justly famous dispensary winding
up commission. now so much in the
public e,'e, not alone Of this State,
but throughout the country on ac-
count Of the threatened clash be-
tween tho State and federal authori-
ties. has not attended the sessions OF
the commission since last November.
is creating talk from one end " the
state to the other. Myterious refer
cnces to the affair on the part nf scmo
newspapers recently has only whct-
tlod the curiosity Of the public, Yahd
the deep ana impenctrable silence 20
carefully preserved by those in posi-
ton 70 make public the oficial rec
ORD on tho subject has naturally pro.
vided an Incentive for speculation.
A great variey Of rumors are rife.
ana explanations Of oil sorts are
ventursd. But 1t would not only be
idle. but unjust to publish all these
rumors regardless Of whether the &C
tion Of the commission and that Of
Gov. Ansei IN refusing to publish the
facts ID to be looked upon "a vcspon.
Sible for these rumors.
1t has becn known to several per-
sons In Columbia for some time that
thore has boon u disagreement be.
tween Mr.. Arthur and other members
OF the commission. but the natpre OF
this disagreement has notl been made
| public Representatives OF the COM
mission have pleaded that to make
the facts known might injure the
cause Of the commission ia its cese
before Judge Pritchard. buttsince
Judge Pritchard has decided to take
jurisdiction that Yeason can no longer
be urged. ,4
It IL not the purpose II this article
to dischas the verify or lack u verify
In any Of the rumors now being ,.er-
-istently circulated over the State. but
II can be said On the best authority
that Ar. Artidr's fellow commission
cv took exception at meeting Of the
commission last fall to certain charges
he made for per diem, and railroad
fare. . trip from Richmcnd on one
occasion being inclued In his EXPENSE
account. The total Of tho so-caii.d
oyerchargss on his part. II Is under.
stood. would mt amount to lalore
thAh 500. but other msmbets Oh ,sl.e
fcnmmissIon objected to his charging
up per diem which ne could not ac-
count for definitely. and he Is said to
hCvc admitted that he was In Rich.
mond on his personal business.
His fellow commissioners demanded
a thorough examination ~ Mr.. Ar
tSur under oath hcsove ! competent
stenosrapher. 1t u aid he threat
ened to render q minority report. and
that he intimatsd that hu might have
siruilar things to reveal against s.me
ether members III the commiaoion.
hut this did not deter the others, who
contenied that the commis.iun hal
been appointed a. much on acc,unt
Of faith in the character anil intsg
rity Of the Individual members a. on
account OF their business ability. and
that for the protection of all the
matter mast tes cleared up and the
record set straight officially.
A transcript Of the testimony thus
taken was sent to Gov. Ansel with q
brief report accompanying II from
the commission. The commission 10
said to have made no recommends.
tions. simply giving the governor tho
facts as set forth in the testimony. for
such action a. he migit see At to
take.
Whom your correspondent asked
Chairman Murray. OF the commission.
last week to be allowed to look at the
official record In regard to the Arthur
matter. the head Of the commission
referred the inquirer to the governor.
Gov. Ansei has the FULL report.
Why doesn't he give It out?"
DR.. Murray was informed that lle
governor refused to make the report
public.