The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-01
DOYD.DROCK CASE CLOSED.
COURT WILL REVIEW EVIDENCE
AND REPORT LATER.
Closing Session OF Inquiry Into Mill
tia Controversy was Devoid OF Sem
sationai Feature--Col. Brooks Tes-
timony Along Same Lines as Al
ready Given-Only Argument Made
BY Counsel For Accused Officer.

Columbia, May 26.-The fate OF
Col. w. T. Brock. assistant adjutant
general OF South Carolina, now vir-
tually rests with the Court of Inquiry
appointed by Governor Ansel. Ad-
journing late today. after hearing
the court will again meet to formulate
its report TO Governor Ansel. Upon
this report will be based the future
action OF Governor Ansel under the
Military Code of South Carolina.
Should the courts opinion justify a
court-martial. II will be within Gov
the military law. to appoint the same.
Should the court exonerate Col. Brock
OF the charges. naturally this would
end the matter.
Gen. Willie Jones. president OF the
court, states that he does not think
the expenses will be over $500. This
IL based on the calculation that the
witnesses be paid 81 per day each and
travelling expenses. and the members
Of the court the regular pay for Uni
ted States officers while on duty. This
would give the three colonels about
s11 per day and the brlgadier general
In the court s13 per day. There were
about forty witnesses summoned who
appeared here.
Each member OF the court, includ-
ing the recorder. Col. Cogswell, will
write out a separate opinion. and then
the court will return to Columbia and
formulate a report to Governor An
sci. Gen. Jones thinks that this is
the best emthod of arriving at a just
conclusion. The final report may en-
body Ideas from the four opinions
submitted by members of the court.
Attorney Tompkins asked the court
20 declare absolutely unwarranted the
charges of Gen. Boyd that Col. Brock
had been unfaithful to him POLITICAL
~. and 20 declare also that Col. Brock
had been faithful. 1t will be recalled
that on the opening day of the hear
ing Gen. Boyd withdrew the political
charges. but refused to apologize for
them. Mr.. Tompkins said that there
was not only no evidence to support
these charges. but that Col. Brooks
witnesses had absolutely disproved
them.
In eloquent language counsel stress
ed the injury that would come to Col.
Brooks reputation and character
should the court not completely de-
clare the charges under Exhibit A"
unsupported.
Characterizing Gen. Boyd as a imam
whose service TO the State had been
great. but one who has run his race"
counsel contrasted the position OF Col.
Brock as zone who Is on the threshold
OF his career with life before him."
EITHER exonerate him or condemn
him." said Mr.. Tompklns. There can
be no middle course" Counsel re-
quested the court to save Gen. Boyd
IN ltS report.
Counsel charged that Gen. Boyd
had turned TO the second charge (the
expense matter)' because Col. Brock
would have demolished him on Ex-
hibit a alone, as has been done. HE
has flown TO this second charge as a
refuge" said counsel.
Counsel explained in detail that the
total OF Col Brooks expense was not
extravagant in any year; that to trav-
ei thirty-three counties for thirty
eight inspections. at a cost Of from
$225 to 1926, was reasonable; that
taking off s75 for railroad fare the
average would not have been over SO
per day in the first year for living ex-
penses