The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-27
the BIsPENslRY PROBE.
WITNESSES APPEARING BEFORE
LEGISLATIVE BOARD DIS
CREDIT INsINUATIONS.
Members of Committee for Third
Time Request Chief Executive TO
Give Testimony-Scveral Witnesses
Called Yesterday-To Meet Next ON
Aprdl -.

Columbia. March 22.-More than a
score Of witnesses have appeared be-
fore tho legislative committee named
To investigate the affairs Of the State
dispensary and not one charge or in
situation made by Gov. Blease as to
wrong doing OF the part OF Attorney
General Lyon and the members OF the
Ansel commission has been substan-
uatsd. The questions contained In
message number 4. sent TO the gen.
eral assembly In 1911. and which con-
tanned the charges and insinuations
have been asked every witness ap-
pearing and In practically every case
n Hat denial Is given. Practically every
witness called has paid high tribute
20 the ability and honesty of the
members OF the Ansel commission and
Attorney General Lyon.
The committee yesterday took off,
cial notice % the statement by the
governor that the body was trying
Go apply the "whitewash" when q
statement was issued. The committee
stated that every effort was being
made 90 Iring out the true conditions
ana mat suggestions from any citi-
zen OF the State as to the inves,iga-
ton would be gladly received. The
committee called the attention Of the
governor TO the fact that he had been
given opportunity to appear and tell
what he knew OF the affairs Of the
dispensary. but that he had refused
70 do 10.
Members OF the committee said
yesterday that any information SIS TO
the investigation would be welcc med
from any citizen In the State and that
II was the desire Of each member to
mako . careful and searching investi-
CATION Of all matters referred to In
the message OF the governor.
The committee adjourned yesterday
afternoon to meet again on April 8
when several witnesses will appear
and give testimony. The names Of
the witnesses have not been an
nounced. VI Is very probable that
the members OF the Blease winding
sp commission will be called tc tes-
tify at the next meeting.
The committee resumed its ses-
sion at the state house yesterday =
number of witnesses were called 10
give testimony All members OF the
committee were present except sena-
tor Clifton OF Sumter. who was de-
safned on account OF a case In court.
The various charges by the governor
we're gone into fully with the wit
nesses appearing and not one charge
was substantated.
Among tho witnesses appearing
yesterday were q. p. Edmunds. form
or editor Of the Fairfield News Of
Ridgeway: n. l.. Abney. well known
attorney Of Columbia and associate
with Attorney General Lyon In the
prosecution of several cases; w. J..
johnson. senator from Fairfield
county: w. .. Tatum. former COM
missioner OF the State dispensary.
and Henry ssmuels. a former whis-
tey agent OF Chester.
The governor In his special mes
sage virtually charged that James
8. Farnum OF Charleston had paid
more than $1,000 when he pleaded
guilty on the charge OF giving re-
Lates and was fined that amount In
the Richland court. The inference
was drawn by the governor that an
additional amount was paid TO At
torney General Lyon.
This insinuation was not substan-
tiated by the witnesses appearing yes
terday.
q. Il. Edmunds was the first wit
ness called at the morning session
OF the committee. lie denied that
he had made the statements editorial.
H In the Fairfield News OF Ridgeway
Co the effect that James s. Farnum
had paid $4,000 additional for his
Immunity. Mr.. Edmunds is teller
Of a bank at Ridgeway and formerl,
editor OF the Ridgeway News. III,
said that ". u. Rantin. a former
editor OF the paper was unfriendly Il
the work Of the dispensary investi
eating committee.
II. l.. Abney. a well known attor
ney OF Columbia. was the second wit
ness OF the day. lie was questionet
by the committee as To his relation