The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-09-10
TO HEAR THE CHARGES
AGAINST MIR. MASSEY
Veteran Alleged to Have Assaulted a
Observation-Disclosures Board
Meets.
The State, 7th.

In response to summons to appear
before the board of commissioners of
the Confederate Home at o'clock
Yesterday afternoon in order that his
conduct on the night of September 5,
when it is charged he attacked
Thomas Whittle, his roommate, with
chair and without cause or justifi-
cation" might be inquired into, Sam
uel F. Massey, Confederate Veteran,
went to- the home with John ]. Nc
Mahan, an attorney of Columbia, but
the meeting was suddenly adjourned
until O'clock this morning before
the charges were gone into by the
board. The board was in session for
some time before Mr.. Massey was
asked to come in.
When the commissioners called for
Mr.. Massey he was accompanied by
Mr.. McMahan, his attorney. DR.. F.
w P. Butler, secretary of the board,
toldSMr. Massey to retire until he was
called as witness, and that but one
witness would be in the room at a
time. Mr.. McMahan held that Mr..
Massey, being the accused, had the
right to be present.
Maj. H. W. Richardson, chairman
of the board, stated to Mr.. McMahau
that the board had decided not to al
low an attorney to appear. Mr. Nc
Mahan replied that he conceded the
right of the board to determine
whether or not to allow an attorney,
and that he had proposed to ask that
he he allowed to appear as Mr. Mas
sey's attorney. Mai. Richardson re-
piled that the board had already de-
cided that question in the negative,
Mr.. McMahan then asked if he might
he silent observer of the proceed
ings as a friend of Mr.. Massey. Maj.
Richardson replied that he thought
the meeting ought to be private. Mr..
McMahap asked if it was to be secret
Maj. Richardson said that the pro-
ceedings would be published after
action. Dr. Butler moved that the
meeting be private, with only one wit
ness present at time. This was car
ried Col. D. A. Dickert then interposed
an objection. Col. Dickert did not pro-
pose to have any court or lawyers
points or arguments, but he was will
ing for the whole world to see what
the board did and let the meeting be
open. Maj. Richardson asked Col.
Dickert to please take the chair. Maj.
Richardson spoke at length, propos-
ing adjournment until 9 o'clock this
morning. He said the home had been
aired and maligned and the board
would have to go slow and know they
were right. Col. Dickert, while in
the chair, told of how he was an old
soldier and how as the home was not
popular he feared it might be closed.
The provision for only two from
county, and the fact that it costs about
5000 for each, while others must stay
at home on a small sum, caused the
criticism. There is a sentiment he said
to leave to each county the care of its
Confederate veterans. He wanted to
do nothing that would add to the
spirit of dissatisfaction with the home.
Mai. Richardson's motion for adjourn
ment was unanimously adopted. Maj.
Richardson said the board had sus-
pended an inmate and had been en-
joined by the court and the inmate
restored to the institution and he saw
the possibility of further difficulty. He
thought they had better investigate
and know their rights before acting.