The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-04
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
TO PROBE ALLEGATION OF ILLE-
GAL VOTING.
Meets Wednesday to Start LabOrs-
Resolution Calling for Full Inquiry
Passed After Some. Discussion
Won't Declare Result TIL Facts are
known.

'"Se iucSuay VIII DC rlSlol.
probed by the executive committee O
the Democratic party. The commit
tee. after two sessions yesterday. ad
tourned until next Wednesday at noon
when the investigation will begin
Several specific charges have beer
filed with John Gary Evans. Stat,
chairman.
The following resolution by w. +
Stevenson OF Cheraw was adopted b,
the committee yesterday.
Whereas. an unprecedented vote
Is reported and widespread charges
OF fraud and irregularities have beer
brought as to the election on the
state ticket. and II Is the duty of the
this committee to see that whatever
nominations have been made have
been honestly made. and IL the charge
Is true II shall be corrected. and II
not true IL shall be refuted and the
primary election system indicated
and preserved;
Resolved. That the chairman shall
call on each county chairman, where
fraud or Irregularities are charged. TO
take charge of the club rolls and
compare them with the poll lists and
compare the polls lists with each
other. and take such evidence as shall
be available and pertinent and send
up club rolls and poll lists or certified
copies OF the same TO this commit
tee and report all Irregularities:
Resolved. further. That the chair
man of this committee do furnish
such assistance TO the respective
county chairmen as may be neces-
sary to facilitate the completion Of
this work and that the candidates for
governor be each allowed a repre-
sentative at such hearing IL desired.
Resolved. further, That this COM
mittee hereby declare II to be its pur-
pose to see that every effort be made
to see that the primary be honestly
conducted and detect and punish all
frauds committed. vindicate the pri-
mary system and rid II Of all imp ta-
fions OF crookedness and to CO on
all citizens to cooperate wit this
committee ia such work and save The
primary system from destruction.
This committee calls on citizens.
and especially al members of the
executive committee and all club off,
Gers. to swear out warrants for per-
sons violating the primary laws in
connection with the said election and
have the offenders bound over to
court"
The resolution. which was general
~ discussed by the members, Is the
sum and substance OF the work ac-
complished at the meeting OF the exc
cutive committee yesterday. Several
members objected TO the introduction
OF the resolution on the grounds that
there was no fraud reported In their
counties. The resolution was ably de-
Tended by Mr.. Stevenson. The posi-
ton cf Gov. Blease was fully explain
eel to the committee ny r. 8. Bleass,
brother of the governor. and his sui
stitute on the committee from New
berry county.
81 State Chairman John Gary Evans
last night sent the following telegram
to county chairmen in accordance
with the resolution adopted by the
executive committee: "If any fraud
or Irregularities are charged in your
county as to- any part OF the State
ticket. investigate same thoroughly
Take charge OF the club rolls. COM
pare them with poll lists, poll lists
with each other. taking such evidence
as Is available and pertinent. Then
forward all records bearing on mat
ter. including those above named
with evidence to Christie Benet, sec
retary. Columbia. II you need as
sist@nce call on me. Act promptly.
State committee has adjourned until
Wednesday next. Have reports here
as soon as possible. Letter confirm
ing above instructions follow.
John Gary Evans.
state Chairman"
Members OF the executive commit
tee made II very plain that the nom-
ination for governor and other state
Offices would not be declared until the
committee. after thorough investi-
gatiOn. was able To write the words
"clean and fair" across that nomina-
tion. Mr.. stevenson made 1t clear
that IL was not the intention of the
Jones members on the committee tc
show favoritism but il Illegal votes
were found for Jones they would be