The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-01-27
WANTS LEGISLATURE
TO Use The PROBE
INTINATES IRREGULARITIES II
HANDLING AFFAIRS.
Asks Some Questions of a Sensational
Nature and Wants Them All
Answered.


investigation of the dispensary wind
ing-up commission. Numbers of spe-
cifc transactions supposed by the gov
ernor to have been made by the COM
mission are mentioned, with the in
sistent recommendation that each be
carefully looked into.
The message in full follows:
To the general assembly: Just after
my nomination as governor, noticed
in the papers (and as have noticed
no correction, I take it to be true)
that the commission for winding up
the affairs of the State dispensary had
a meeting at which I was freely dis
eussed, and expressed fears as to
themselves, when I became governor.
1f they had done NO wrong, I see no
reason why they should fear any harm
from me. If they are guilty of wrong
doing, it is up to you to investigate
ihem.
would like for you to investigate
them fully and find out for the people
Of South Carolina what did become of
the large amount of alcohol that was
en- hand at the time this committee
took charge; to whom it was sold, at
what price, and what was the regular
price at that time, so as to see if the
State was not a heavy loser in that
transaction. Also, what salary, or how
much fees each member of that COM
mission has received, since ne has
served on the board, and how much
per diem they have received for their
services on the Sabbath day, partlcu-
larly the chairman, and if he rendered
any services on that day; if car fares,
railroad fares and other expenses have
been charged against the STATE which
were not incurred by the member re-
ceiving payment therefor.
Also how much actual cash has been
turned over to the State treasurer;
now much has been paid out and how
much is left as profit to the taxpayers.
What criminal cases have been COM
promised and what we're the condi-
tions of the compromise? Has the at
torney general received any money,
and if so by whom was it paid and for
what? Why the commission kept the
Clarke lot of Whiskey after Governor
Ansel had dismissed the former mem
bers of the board of control for buy
ing this same whiskey? Did Clarke re-
bate the present commission? If so,
where is the rebate money? How
much more than $4,000 did Farnum
pay and where is it? What We're the
conditions of the Goodman compro-
mise? What were the conditions of
the Fleischmann compromise? If
money was paid in these transactions,
where is it? What was the agreement
had with Ex-Governor John Gary Ev-
ans and ex-State Chairman H. H. Ev-
ans, for information given by them at
conference held in Atlanta, between
these gentlemen, Attorney General Ly-
On and Attorney Fielder? Why were
other members of the various boards
Of control not indicted? What became
of the report of the detectives to the
committee of certain members of the
house and senate and why was this
report not made public? What were
Felder's fees, and why was he not
prosecuted, when it was known that
he was attorney for liquor house
and was favored with purchases from
dispensary boards and rebates We're
paid for these purchases? What Grim
inal prosecutions have been brought,
who has been convicted and what has
it cost the State?
A thorough investigation of this en-
tire matter, gentlemen, will give a
great deal Of satisfaction to your con-
stituents. There are those who be-
lieve that the State has lost more
through the winding-up commission
than it has ever lost through the State
dispensary system. Whether this be
true or not, it is not for me to say.
I hold my belief as to corruption, but
the people of South Carolina are en-
titled to the fullest and freest inves-
tigation on your part, before the re-
port Of these men is received and they
are discharged as public officials.
South Carolina is paying bonds to-
day for the debts made by scalawags
and carpetbaggers, for things which
her citizenship never received the
benefit therefor. Under her Demo-
cratic government, she bought vhis-
key at a price and sold it, made a
profit on it and now repudiates the