The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-21
Mr.. L|G0N REPLIES.
CONTROVERSY ABOUT HEALTH
OFFICERS NEGLECT OF DUTY.
Mr. .. X. AgOn Makes Reply to DIR.
II. S. Booths Letter, Which Was
Published Saturday-Affidavit by
Chief of Police Bradford.

Dr. T.. 5. Booth and published in the
Item last Saturday, concerning the
action Of the City Council in regard
to the Health Officers neglect of duty
and the work done by Chief Bradford
and officer McKagen in the absence
of the regular Health officer, Mr.. ].
X. Lgon submits the following letter
and affidavit to Mayor Boyle:
Sumter. S. c., July 10, 1909.
Hon. w. B. Boyle, Mayor,
Sumter, S. c.
Dear Sir:-It Is not my purpose to
indulge in a newspaper controver-
sary nor, In my opinion, would it be
becoming In me to do SO, on the mat
ter to which am about to refer, but
irasmuch as my good and highly
esteemed friend, DR.. E. S. Booth
President of the Board Of Health,
has addressed to Mr.. Hurst as Clerk
Of the city. a letter, the same Ito be
submitted to Council at its next meet
lug" copy Of which, however was
published In the Daily Item Just
eleven days before the next regular
meeting of Council, or. in other
words. just eleven days before Coun-
Gil will have official notice Of the ex-
istence of such letter or can reply to
same, and inasmuch as reference was
made. In that letter, to the Chairman
OF the Police and Sanitary Commit
tee. and the writer happens to be that
Individual, I deem 1t but right that,
as you are my superior officer in the
line up Of the city officials. inform
you Of the facts as 1 believe them to-
he; hence this letter:
First wish to say that I was
anintentionally misquoted in the
minutes Of last Council, in which It
appears that my resolution requested
the Board Of Health to secure a new
Health officer. What I did say was,
and I here reiterate 1t. that the city
Is In urgent need Of the continuous
ind active service of Health once.
and requested Council to suggest TO
the Board Of Health that they make
provision along this line, in order that
the city would not be without the SER
vices OF such an officer, when the
present incumbent became incapaci.
tafed, and which. in my humble judy
'nent Is occurring too often "for the
good OF the service" 1 do not ask
Council to request the Health OFF,
GERS resignation, for. in my opinion
It would have been useless. as hs
seems to be unique in this respect
and. seemingly enjoys "cinch;" all
could hope for was to secure an
emergency man to take care of his
duties when he was unable to do 90.
AS to that part Of DR.. Booths let
ter. which refers to the detailing of
two police officers to take care of the
Health Officers duties while he was
absent without comment I herewith
enclose an affidavit handed me- by
thes Chief Of Police. and which, in or
der not to break the. continuity of
this letter, herein quote in full:
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ''
COUNTY OF SUMTER.
Personally appeared before me, J.
X. Bradford Of the City of Sumter,
County and State aforesaid, who be-
ing duly sworn. deposes and says as
follows: That he is now and has
been for the past sixteen years Chief
of Police Of the City of Sumter: that
ne has never been detailed by the
Chairman Of the Police and Sanitary
committee, or by any one else to
look after the duties of the Health
Officer during that gentlemans alb
sence, nor has any of the Officers un-
der him been so detailed by him or
has he ever been instructed to SO de-
tail any one Of them. That during
the Health Officers absence, he in
quired into such nuisances as were
reported. and attended to such as did
not conflict with his duties or that of
the police force, but in no sense could
such service be considered as attend
ing to the duties Of Health Officer.
In doing this. and by his own author
ity. he was at times assisted by one of
his officers. as directed by him SOLE
ly,
sworn to and subscribed before me
this 18th day OF July A. d. 1909.
(Signed) j. X. Bradford. IL. S.
(Signed) T.. v. Walsh. (L S.
Notary Public for South Carolina.
In closing 1t might not be amiss to
add that what little work was done