The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-05-24
BOYD.BROCK HEARING ON.
Court of Inquiry Met in Columbia
Neutrality-suspicious. Will Be
Open.

Columbia, May 23.-The court Of
Inquiry to investigate the Boyd-Brock
controversy meets today at noon, IN
the library at the State house. The
sessions will be open according to
Gen. Willie Jones, the president Of the
court.
Governor Ansel appointed the court
after charges of wasting the States
money by W. T. Brock, assistant adJl-
tant, had been made by J. G. Boyd,
adjutant and inspector general. The
request for the appointment was made
by Col. Brock.
The members of the court are: Gen.
Willie Jones, president, of Columbia,
brigadier general; Col. William w.
Lewis, of the 1st regiment; Col. Ed
win H. Cox, of the I'd regiment, aid
Col. Julius E. Cogswell, of the Sd reg
iment, recorder Of the court.
The court is authorized by Governor
Ansel, the commandier-in-chief OF the
National Guard of South Carolina, to
take such testimony as may be pre-
sented, and that it shall be conducted
in all respects as courts of inquiry are
conducted. 1t is also required that
the court after a thorough investiga-
ton give their opinion as to the weight
Of the testimony presented.
The work of the court will present
an interesting scene. All members Of
the court, the accused and the accus-
er, and the military witnesses will be
in full uniform and the rules Of nil
itary court will be adhered to strictly.
The business of the court will open
with the reading Of the charges, !af-
ter which Gen. Boyd will put up his
witnesses to be examined after the
example of regular court. Such
questions as the attorneys may desire
will be asked the witnesses. Col.
Brock will then present his ease
through a number Of witnesses, end
the examination will be in charge OF
an attorney. 49,.
After argument by counsel for both
sides the doors of the court will be
closed and the members of the court
will then consider the testimony and
arrive at some decision.
Several weeks ago Gen. Boyd an
nounced that he would not offer for
reelection. Following this announce
ment Col. Brock, his assistant, an
nounced that>he would enter the race
for adjutant and inspector general.
Afterwards Gen. Boyd issued state
ment in which he charged Col. Brock
with being false to him in a political
way. He also announced that he
would enter the race in opposition to
Col Brock. Col. Brock Immediately
called upon Governor Ansel for a
court of inquiry to investigate the
charges made by Gen. Boyd.
Later Gen. Boyd issued another
statement in which he charged Col.
Brock with wasting the money Of the
State in making the inspections ct the
State militia. In this statement Cen
Boyd called upon Governor Ansel to
appoint court of inquiry tc in. esti-
gate the expense accounts Of Col.
Brock, and also other acts that he had
committed while in the service of the
State. Governor Ansel was never Of
fcially notified of these churges. but
at the request of Cor. Brock eppoint-
ed the court.
Gen. Boyd, who has been il! for the
past several days, has recovered and
will attend the court tomorrow
There was some discussion as to
how the expenses of the couri would
be met. Governor Ansel has stated
that. he will decide this matter When-
ever the question is presented to him.
The controversy has attracted a great
deal of attention throughout the State,
and the proceeding will be watched
with interest.