The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-08-14
THE MEETING AT FORK.
Mr.. Johnstone, Now Member of the
House, Will Resign as Cotton Sta
tistician if Elected to the
Senate.

ut the campaign meeting at Fork
ON, Wednesday the attendance was
very good, and an excellent barbecue
dinner was served by Messrs. Ruff
and Counts. A great many ladies
were present and quite number of
the voters of this township.
All of the candidates made practi-
cally the same speeches.
MIR. Aull, candidate for the senate.
III the opening of his address asked
MIR. Jnhnstonc, also a candidate for
the senate, some questions in regard
t" The position which he held under
the federal government.
AS a preface to the question Mr..
Aull stated that Mr.. Johnstone had
said at the Mt. Pleasant meeting that
he held Il little position under the
United States government which he
had overlooked, and Mr.. Aull furth-
cr stated that he had on several oc-
caslons announced that he under
stood that this position paid from
$500 to $1,000 Il year, and that Mr.
JohnStonc had continued to ignore
any further reference to this position,
and, therefore. Mr.. Aull said he
would ask Mr.. Johnstonc if the posi-
tl"n WAS one of remuneration and
what the remuneration amounted to.
Mr.. Jnhnstonc. in reply. stated that
TIE position waS one OF rcmuncra-
ti"n and that the remuneration de-
pcndrd somewhat on the ScrI ice rem
d"rcd. but as to the amount paid. he
had taken IN oath that it should not
he revealed
Mr.. Aull then asked Mr.. John
stone if he. Mr.. .JohnStonc. WAS com
mlS>"nrl as agent by the United
States government, and if he took the
oath Of office.
MIR. J"hnStone. in reply. stated
that il the people desired to know,
he would say that he was. commits
stoned as cotton agent and that he
took the oath Of Office; but he added
that if he was elected State senator
from Ncwbcrry county that he would
resign this position which he now
held under the United States GOV
ernment.
Mr.. Aull then called attention to
the fact that Mr.. Johnstonc had held
this position since 1902, and that he
was now holding it. and that he
held it when he was elected to the
house Of representatives The consti-
tuition stated that no member of the
general assembly could hold any po-
sition of profit or trust under this
State or the United States, and that
il any member Of the general assem-
bly, exercised amy Of these d/quali-
flying positions he should vacate his
seat. Mr.. Aull said he would leave
it to Mr.. .]nhnStonc To reconcile with
himself and his conscience how he
could take the oath required by the
members Of the genera! assembly "to
defend. protect and uphold the con-
Sti1utiun of this Statc.' while hold
ing this position. which he now SAYS
he will resi- gn if elected to the SEN
ate. admttin" thereby that ii dis
qualified him to hold seat in the
general assembly. which includes the
house. Of which he is now a member.
as well as the senate
Mr.. Aull stated further that he
would not have referred TO this mat
ter. because it was purely technical
violation Of the constitution. but all
the same 4 violation, but for the
fact that Mr.. .1ohnstonc had announce
ed that he held this position under
the United States government
Mr.. Aull then made his argument
as to the wisdom Of the provision of
the constitution, so far as it related
to members Of the general assembly
holding positions in this State.
regarding which legislation was con-
stantly being had.
Apart from this question the
speeches Of the two candidates were
substantially the same as those made
and reported at other places.