The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-28
appearing before the committee.


The rules as adopted are as fol-
lows
Il. That the burden of proving ir-
regularities or fraud sufficient to an
nul the election or reverse the face of
the returns rests upon those charging
the same.
"2. That since the entire public is
as deeply interested 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 made and those making
charges whether the public generally
or the contestants should produce
their proof in opening.
''3. That the contestee has then the
right 10 offer proof in rebuttal and
the contestants in reply.
a. That where no proof is pro-
duced as to county. either by the con-
testants or by the public as heretofore
requested, and the records as fur
nshed the committee show nothing
wrong, such county shall be passed as
correct, proof of crookedness not hav-
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 in
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 time, beginning at Spartan
burg. this course to be varied as JUS
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"
AT the second session of the day
much discussion was had by the at
torneys for the governor as to the
procedure of the committee and the
method OF inquiry adopted. Appear
ing for Judge Jones at the hearing
are r. w. Shand and w. II. Town
send. The governor Is in the city,
but did not attend the hearings. He
is represented by F. II. Dominick, E.
s. Blease. j. NJ. Cannon and S. j.
Nichols.
a roll call Of the counties in the
district apportioned to Mr.. Parks was
made and reports from the counties
entered in the record when available.
Spartanburg was first considered
|. y. Phifer, for the subcommittee of
the county Democratic executive COM
mittee. presented the report. Mr..
Phifer presented specifications Of al
legged frauds. The subcommittee has
not completed the work OF making
the probe Of the county. but present
ed numerous alleged irregularities
Instances are given of persons voting
twice. negroes voting who are not
eligible to cast a ballot and of per-
sons voting who did not have their
names on the club rolls The partial
report admitted today gi;es a large
1Dmber OF names arranged as to pre-
cincts as voting where their names
did not appear on the club rolls. A
further investigation must be made
by the county subcommittee to ascer-
tain whether or not certain votes cast
more than once under the same name
are repeaters or persons of the same
name
AbheHille county was called. \ CON
test there was recognized by the
county committee and two boxes
cold Springs and Antreville-w were
thrown ont because the managers ana
N'te"s were not sworn.
~ Aiken the subcommittee has not
r'rortcd but Specifications as To al
.oped freud are made.
The report If the subcommittee OF
tn" county committee in Anderson
was put in evidence. After reading
only "A portion. further rcadinr v-,s