The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-01
A GEN TIE ROAST
ADMINISTERED TO DR. W. T. C
BATES By MIR. A. X. SaiOAK,
Who Severely Criticises DR.. Bates
for Making Suggestions to Judge
II. G. Watts.
Editor Calhoun Advance:

the Judge into committing the indis-
cretion of pronouncing upon a ques-
ton of law in advance of any legal
hearing" Fortunately I kept Il copy
of my letter to Judge Watts, and
produce it:
Judge Watts, Cheraw, S. c.,
Dear Sir: Inclosed you will find
an article I wrote on the county
affairs. l felt sure that someone
interested in having thirty thou
sand dollar bond issue placed upon
the people had approached you, but
had no idea who it was until today.
DR.. w. r. C. Bates has just inform
ed me that he for one had done so,
and that my article had resulted in
placing him in a very awkward po-
sition, because of the fact that when
approached, you at first took the po-
sition that it would hardly be the
proper thing for you to do, as there
was difference Of opinion in the
community on the question involv-
ed.
The doctor naturally feels badly
about the matter, because he realizes
that you have been placed in an
awkward position because he pressed
the point upon you. believe the
Doctor made serious mistake in
allowing himself to be used in ap-
preaching you, but such is my regard
for him, that I might have been 81
lent upon that particular point, had
| known that he was implicated. He
is gentleman, and no one regrets
his awkward position more than the
writer, but it is the penalty of mis-
taken zeal.
With best wishes for your welfare
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
A. K. SMoAK.
The reader will see there is no
leading question in my letter. as
DR.. Bates charges, and the Judge
entirely of his own volition replied,
and l will gladly show his letter:
'It was several days after opening
court that I learned there was any
division among the people. | then
learned the town promised $4,000,
but no cash was put up, and it struck
me that bonds could not be voted
by the town for that purpose, and
the citizens would have to cough
up that amount if the town carried
out it's promise, but it is no affair
of mine, and ! am Of the opinion
that the people should settle their
affairs to suit themselves.
That "this honored" Judge meant
what he said, and cares very little
about how our differences are settled,
is shown by his dignified CD state
ment to Mr.. Wannamaker-"Person-
ally you know ! do not give 'tlnk-
er's cuss if the good people of your
county build court house no bigger
than a chicken COOP
1t seems that my friends have
fallen off the "mourners' bench and
have engaged in "tinkers cussing'
match. But we will excuse them,
for it certainly must be irritating to
have still-hunt method exposed, ana
to hear the people quietly laughing
while they are vigorously dancing
under the lme-light of public critl-
cism.
If soliciting judge to throw his
official influence in the scales upon
the one side Of purely local issue
is in good taste and in accord with
the law of the eternal fitness OF
things, why did the Doctor fail to
let it be known at the time, and
why is he so fearfully and wonderful
" angry when it becomes public?
My honored friend has lost sight
Of the fact that when strong man
like himself condescendS to write
column Of abuse bordering closely
upon Billngsgate to prove that my
position in this controversy is brain
less" the public may decide that ne
is not very strong himself.
cannot. like the Doctor. speak
boastingly of my wealth and proclaim
from the housetop that few men pay
more taxes on property in the county
outside of st. Matthews than | do.
but | am willing to carry out my NOR
al obligation, and the Doctor may
rest assured that il the commission
ers will call upon the note givcrs Tor
their subscriptions, 7 will join him
in following Judge Watts sugges-
ton and will pay my note.
I have no selfish purpose to fur
Their" am no "demagogue." have no
axe to grind" and have no record
as A successful bond manipulation TO
be sustained. simply. when com
PEELED to do so by Mr.. J. S. Wanna
makers unwarranted article. told the
people some plain truths that they
had probably half suspected before.
and will not be deferred from doing
so in future. should occasion arise.
His letter gives abundant opportu-
nifty to cut deep. if there was de-
sire, but I forhcar Deep down in
his heart the Doctor realizes his mis-
take, and will not make him un-
comfortable. entertain for DR..
Bates the highest regard, it could
NOT be otherwise and he knows it.