Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-18

Of the whisky houses, or any Of the per-
sons charged with graft. am perfect
ly satisfied the senator spoke the whole
truth, and while no names were fur
nished me, at the time / received the
information upon which 1 wrote the
article that has since acted like a car.
pet tack in the chair Of the senator's,
am morally certain my informant did
not think Of Senator Earle Of Oconee
as lawyer, and If he had ever entered
his thoughts at ALL it was as newspa-
per man, but lawyer never. Neverthe-
less this Oconee senator made 1t known
that he Is a lawyer and felt aggrieved
because it was clearly intitmated by my
article there were lawyer members who
would probably use their influence te
thwart tho necessary legislation to pros
ecute cases, and if they did they would
be exposed. Senator Earle heard the
speeches and what was omitted In
them: one member in effect, said he
would not take one Of these cases until
after the legislature adjourned, this Is
in keeping with what was once said
about q legislator when last year the
railroad pass investigating resolution
was pending, taking his pass back to a
railroad attorney to be in q position tc
declare he did not have a pass, and
then when the Legislature adjourned. OF
the investigating resolution failed, he
went back and secured the return Of his
pass. If there is no wrong in a MEM
ber accepting a retainer after adjourn
ment, there is none while the legisla-
ture is in session. Another member
Acknowledged that some Of the, at least
| two whisky houses, were his clients
but he claimed 1T was his right to rep
resent them, and was very eloquent In
declaring his conscience in this matter
1 do not doubt the sincerity Of the gen.
tleman, but his view Is not in accord
with other and more experienced law
yers. 1t is serving two interested mas
ters, drawing pay from both. Grant
though this lawyer is right in accept
ing retainers to defend against charges
brought by the state. surely that priv
ilege could not morally extend to per-
mitting that lawyer to endeavor to keep
down legislation which, perhaps; might
be adverse to the interests Of the cli-
ents that have paid him retainer? II
lawyer member can do this, why
should 1t be a reprehensible act on the
part Of n layman to accept money fol
work to prevent certain legislation
either before committees. or by his
vote? Has a lawyer privileges in the
| Legislature n layman has not? l have
no desire to impugn any mans motives
| but the Oconee senator undertook to
| lay down a rule Of conduct for my guild
ance, ard declared "the information
contained in that article was false and
insulting" this he did without making
an investigation. and without waiting
for developments, but must think, II
he is a fair man, he will have to modify
his opinion, as there was enough in the
speeches to show the source of my In
formation. was not altogether ground
less. Have any lawyer members en-
deavored to prevent. in committee OF
elsewhere, an appropriation to aid the
attorney general to prosecute case? II
so. it seems to me the gentleman from
Oconee will have to still more modify
| his opinion, and acknowledge the source
of my information was better grounded
than he thought. l was not moved
either to anger or worry by the if-but-
impugn my motives Infamous insult
| ing to- the senate -denunciation. / had
q conscience void Of offense towards
any innocent man, and I cared not
| fig" for the criticism, or characterize =
tions Of the guilty. l am content to
stand by the record as made. The peo-
pie throughout the state have decided
the case, the verdict, as indicated by
letters which have received Is gratify-
| ing to me. l quote one from a man
whose work for the moral uplift in this
state stands with the highest. He says
81 have Just read the fight against you
as reported in the State. You are max
| ing friends every day and your manly
way Of treating these Spring chickens
will continue to work for your highest
good. May you indeed be known as an
Islaelite indeed in whom is no guilt.
NV hat is off to men Of your courage"
The only adverse comment / have seen
comes from the Columbia Record, a
protesting Prohibitionist with liquor
advertisements in its columns The
Records record as supporter Of those
charged with graft is too we'll known
for a gentleman to get into contro-
versy with its unscrupulous manage
ment. l am proud of the endorsement
| T have received from worthy sources,
and especially proud am / Of the hearty
approval have received from my beo-
pie at home.
With such expressions of commen-
dation and from such a source l have
right to feel encouraged in the work
I think right. am not only RESPONSE
| BILE to my constituents for my conduct
but there is a higher source which de-
mands responsibility to Him. and as
long as He will keep me in my senses,
the ifs and butts Of thin-skinned men
will not swerve me from my course.
One Of the offended senator's sug-
gested 1 be expelled-preposterous. l
defy them. l can snap my fingers in
their faces and tell them to do their
worst. They have my full permission
to start impeachment at once, and l
will promise them not to be eXonerated
with technicalites either. I am morally
certain a vote of over three -fifths of Al
would sustain me, and leave my prose-
cutors to the derision Of the people. But
under the circumstances, If were eX-
relied. an election to fill my place would
| have to be held. Knowing the people
of Clarendon as l do, l am sure not a
man would offer in opposition to my
return. Let them try to eXpel dare
them: it would be seen whether, the
senate is a making body to enact
wholesome laws for the welfare and