The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-04
SOME INSIDE HISTORY.
NEWS OF INTEREST THAT CO.
LUMBIA NEWSPAPERS DO
NOT PRINT.
A Document That Confused the Board
or Canvasscrs--A Novelty I'm Beau
fort-GOv. Ansel Gives the War De-
partment a COnundrum.

been discovered why the State Board
of Canvassers In session here last
week was In some confusion about the
Beaufort dispensary election. The
members of the board were unable to
figure out whether they had a pro-
test or not What was before them
was an affidavit of involved language.
Finally this was set aside and the
election declared as In favor of re-
tanning the Beaufort dispensaries.
This affidavit came from a school,
teacher. Mr.. Clarence 8. johnson. who
has a refreshing sense Of humor II
he has an involved style Of expressing
himself. After giving over two type
written pages to sarcastic references
to Mr., r, c, Colcock Of the dispen-
sAry. Mr.. Johnson. who says he has
had - years experience as an eco
tion commissioner. thus philosophises
on the political situation In general
and the prohibition wave In particu-
lar:
"a mordicum of common sense
should have taught him (Mr. Col
cock) that a commissioner has no
power to compel managers to serve.
True the law requires them to serve,
but makes no provision to that ef-
feet. 90 that they are a. helpless as
the clergy trying TO coax the weary
sinner into the pearly gates without
the active cooperation Of his Sa-
tanic majesty at the rear on the fir
ing line.
There seems to have been deter
mination not to serve In this town,
grievance on account of want of
splrltuous comfort, etc.
"Also- the contemplate tip allowed
commissioners and managers of 81 a
day and limited to three days by those
In authority voting themselves IS q
day for alleged services. The afore-
said tip would be spurned by the av-
erage hotel walter for services of the
same length. Managers are safe
enough. but In case Of q contest
have served ten days and then con-
triouted - to a fund for the benefit
of one oS owr commissioners who was
not . capitalist and whose means did
not warrant his paying q fine for his
gratsitous services to his country. and
this is respectfully referred to the
general assembly as a bono for II to
pick.
ALSO the abuse Of the primary sys-
TEN. which becoming manifest some
years ago led to an act TO protect
the said primary In the same manner
an the general elections, and which
has been done by lowering the stand
ard of one to the level Of the other
reducing both to as roaring a farce as
trials by jury. Another bone for the
general assembly to pick.
"And finally for myself I have beer
strictly neutral. feel that we have
been getting good too fast. The Sa,
viour drank wine. So did Lot. tn,
only righteous man to be found IL
the cities OF Sodom and Gomorrah
and many others Of that day. Will,
Paul prescrfbes It. But 1t seems W,
are entirely too good to associate witt
that crowd. but just go on KILN.
each other and committing any Grim,
that comes handy and forget tha
poor little South Carolina has NOR,
murders to her credit per acre tina,
any State In the Union. am get
ting good myself. so much SO tina
sometimes when am called upon Il
administer an oath feel that tn
usual form Is sacriiigious and con
ciude with. so help you General Gran
or old Ben Tillman or any old fizzl
happen to think of. whose memor,
would keep green.
''veriiy the days are evil.
''slnce Ben Tillman was discovered
the tendency OF all legislation ha
been to stir up strife. The next grea
calamity that befeli the State was tn,
death Of the Republican party. Tn,
dispensary. which was TO reduce GU
taxes one-half. has developed tn
highest type of rascality and tn
highest tax levy since the days o
good stealing exceeds any Republi
can levy. to say nothing Of the Low
type of morals created thereby. With
In a short time after the establish
ment Of this great moral institution
II could point with pride to nineteei
newly made graves In two countie
alone In the upper part of the Stat,
as the early crop all credited to IL