The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-25
PLANS FOR PROBE.
w. r. STEVENSON WRITES OF
SPARTANBURG INQUIRY.
Suggests Rules Subject TO the Approy.
al OF the Committee at Spartan
burg Meeting.

burg Meeting.
Columbia, Sept. 2O.-W. f. Steven
son, chairman of the subcommittee
from the state Democratic executive
committee TO investigate the charges
OF fraud in the recent primary, has
forwarded The State the proposed
plan for the conduct of the inquiry
which will be instituted at Spartan.
burg Tuesday, September "a.
Mr.. Stevenson suggests certain
rules for the approval Of the commit
tee at the meeting. He points out
that the burden of proof is on those
; bringing the charges; the public may
DE heard in making charges; that in
''"1 ''-.tiva ) no proof of Irregular
-Ao7 Ich county should be
'e-+. ,at My those counties will
lu'D.,s q where tangible speci-
"e aio hand; that it should
be the endeavor Of the committee to
take up the contested counties one
by one, beginning at Spartanburg
and continue until completed.
Mr.. Stevenson's communication in
full is as follows:
To Messrs Shand e. Shand and +. G.
Tompkins. Attorneys for Ira B.
Jones. contestant. and F. II. Domi-
nick and Eugene Blease, attorneys
for Cole l.. Blease. contestee, and to
John T. Duncan, contestant
You Will please take notice that the
committee to investigate the late pri-
mary for governor will begin the
taking OF testimony at Spartanburg.
S. c., on September "a, Meeting at
the county court house at l D. m.
Subject to the approval Of the COM
mittee' when it meets, it seems to the
undersigned that the following rules
should be followed:
l. That the burden OF proving ir-
regulartties of fraud sufficient to aa,-
nul the election or reverse the face Of
the returns rests upon those chary-
ing the sam..
2. That since the entire public il
as deeply intert ed and have BEEN
invited to furnish evidence of crook
edness If known, the public will have.
the right to be heard in support Of
charges madh and those making.
charges whether the public generallN
or the contestants should produce
their proof in opening.
3. That tne- contestee has then the.
right to offer proof in rebuttal and
the contestants in reply.
4. That where no proof is pro-
duced as to county. either by the con-
testants or by the public as heretofore
requested, anB the records as fur
nished the committee show nothing
wrong, such county shall be passed as;
correct proof OF crook edness not ilnv-
ing been Forthcoming to overthrow
the presumption OF correctness WHICH
always PREVAILS
:. That applying such rules, only
those counties will be investigated
where tangible specifications are. i'm
hand, either produced by contestants,
the public or appearing from the rec
ords collected by the subcommittee
appointed heretofore. and it will be
the endeavOr Of the committee to take
up the counties and complete them,
one at a time. beginning at Spartan
burg, this course to be varied as rus
tice may require, of course.
6. The character OF evidence and
the method Of production will have to
be determined by the committee
from time to time as the questions
arise.
These are tentatively laid down,
subject, Of course. to the approval Of
the committee, and you will please be
ready to proceed at the time and
place stated. as we hope to be in posi-
tion hy that time to go straight
through the matter promptly.
w, F. Stevenson.
Chairman.