The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-17


can members of the Ballinger inves-
tigating committee met today and
issued statement condemning the
action Of the four Democratic mem
bers and the one Republican insur-
gent member who delivered a report
last Wednesday demanding the re-
tirement from office of Secretary Bal
linger.
Those present today were Senator
Nelson. Switzerland Root, Con-
gressman Mccall. Olmisted and
Denny. They declared the action of
what they term the minority" at
tempts to have been according to
worst methods Of ward politics"
The evidence in the Ballinger case
was discussed. but, In the absence Of
a quorum, they state no action was
possible.
AS the minority" declined to at
tend today's conference and took
their adjournment at Minneapolis un-
til the next meeting Of congress- 1t Is
probable that Senator Nelson will not
cal another meeting of congress. it is
OF Senator Flint, who is in Europe
and as the seventh member would
mack a quorum.
Signers OF Report.
The report Is signed by Senators
Nelson, Sutherland and Root and
Representatives Mccall, Olmsted and
Denny and reviews at some length
the findings of the Democratic minor
ity of the committee-the minority
members are sharply criticized, the
report declaring that "the spectacle
was presented of five gentlemen out
of a tribunal Of IL, created by con-
gress. assuming to act as the tribunal
itself"
Continuing in this connection, the
report says:
These five gentlemen continued
their proceedings to the end, accord
ing to the worst methods of ward
politics, and. after pretending a re-
port OF SO pages which they brought
to the meeting already prepared, and
which was never the subject of con-
sideration of discussion or even read
In committee. they gave it to the
newspapers, although the law re-
quired 1t TO be rendered to congress;
and they completed their perversion
OF the purpose of the meeting by adj
journing the meeting so as to fore
stall. II possible. any action or con-
sideration or discussion Of evidence
by the committee in the meantime;
and by solemn vote they graciously
extended to the majority the leave
to file a minority report.
"It does not need 10 be said that
such action in both form and sub
stance is wholly lawless, and 1t leaves
Ii entirely unnecessary to ask what
sort of justice any public servant
could look for whose character was
on trial in such a proceeding in the
extreme of political campaign. II
there Is any relation between lawless
methods and the character of the re-
suits which they accomplish, this So
called verdict condemns its authors,
rather than the official, under investi-
cation.
The Minority Aaction.
This action of the minority in no
way relieves us from our responsible
ity under the law. 1t is incumbent
upon us to sift the great mass of evil
dence and to attempt to reach and
render just verdict"
Every effort was made to induce
the minority members to agree TO a
meeting on some early day as might
suit their convenience. but without
| avail.
The report Of the committee can
not be made until December s, when
| congress meets and the meeting
called for September 8. was for the
purpose Of considering and discuss
Ing what the report to be made three
months thereafter should be.
There was therefore no haste or
pressure for time. The action of the
Democratic minority in the taking
temporary advantage Of the delay of
some members in reaching the meet
ing was an effort 70 substitute a pre-