The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1908-01-24
BIG SENSATION
Created in Columbia by the Old
Dispensary Commission.
WHAT CAUSED 1T ALL.

''>'
Names Of Prominent Charleston
and Columbia Gentlemen Figure
in tho Case.-They All Deny They
e They Arc Guilty.
The commission appointed to wind
up the old State Dispensary, sitting
as q court OF inquiry, held a special
meeting OF last Wednesday for the
purpose Of making an investigation
Of a certain letter p%urporting to be
signed by w. ID. Roy, Il prominent
liquor manufactures Of Louisville,
Ky, and addressed to various cred
itors of the state d%ispensary. The
letter, which is published in full
herewith, fell into the hands Of Hon.
w. p. Stevenson, attorney for the
commission. and he advised the com
mission that ii was a matter which
demanded immediate consideration
at their hands. Tho matter created
q sensation as the names Of several
prominent gentlemen were connect
ed with 1t. The letter is as follows:
Letter Roy Wrote.
columbia, S. c., Dec. 81, 1907.
Gentlemen: At n meeting Of the
creditors OF the South Carolina State
ember 3, a committee was appointed
for the purpose Of securing a set
Element, or at least to arrive at a
tentative basis OF settlement with the
commission in charge. For several
weeks prior to this meeting | had
been here and about effected ar
engagements which, if a cooperation
of creditors could be obtained, seem
ed to me reasonably promising of
favorable results. | SO notified soy
eral Of the creditors, who presented
my proposition at the meeting. and
from tho kilograms sent me sup
posed it had been adopted and that
the committee had bccn appointed
a number at the meeting were Of
the same impression and to these |
wish to say that not a shadow of
authority was given to me to act in
any capacity whatever. The com
mittcc was represented here by Mr..
Geo. b. Lester, a member Of 1t, and
general counsel for MeSsrS. Flcisch-
man & Co., who made Charleston
his headquarters when he first reach
the State. l met him there, and
whilst somewhat disappointed at
finding no power to act delegated to
me or my associates, determined not
to let this abridge my efforts to get
our money. l went over my plans
with him and poun hin, ihn nn,,nc -
gentlemen associated with me, also a
letter endorsing these gentlemen
from Gov. ID. G. Hayward and E. w.
Robertson, in whose bank about half
OF tho dispensary money is deposit
ed. Mr.. Lester seemed much i'm
pressed. both with the plans INC the
eminent responsibility, financially
and otherwise, of the members of my
organization. several of the latter be
ing officials or Co-directors in banks
with some member Of the dispcn-
sary committee.
"Mr. w. T.. Melton, who, with
some difficulty. was induced to join
us, is the lawyer who was rendered
and declined the position on the com
mission now held By Mr.. Stevenson.
with these and other connections or
relationships, o prudent to men
tion here, Mr.. Lester appeared much
pleased. and gave me a letter autho-
rizinG me to go ahead with my plans.
Two days later he came to Col
umDia, and at a meeting for the pur-
pose i introduced him to three Of
my associates; in the discussion
which enSucd a Adherence OF tcchni-
cal nature between him and Mr.. Mel
ton, which eliminated as MIR. Les
ter will admit, in quite a display of
temper on his part. Mr.. Melton
therefore declined to have anything
further to do with the case. and with
him ! lost forces without which |
could accomplish noting.
'Before / could patch up the I'M
fortunate disagreement Mr.. Lester
was persuaded by rosy assurance
from another element to adopt
plans altogether independent from
mine. ] stuck to him, however, hop
ing his strong personality might car
ry him through, but knowing hat he
was pursuing Il curse into which
others had been allured only to meet
with failure. He proved no cxccp-
ton.
NOW, I do not wish this TO be
construed as a reflection upon Mr..
Lester or the vigor of his efforts.
During the week have been thrown
with him my regard for him has
grown daily. He is n manly fellow
Of high attainment, and | think a
lawyer OF exceptional ability. indeed,
Il man who under conditions approx