The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-02-14

terday had another decided furry over
the matter Of the contract for the
plans for the extension OF the State
House. for which a bill of $13.50O has
been submittd I'm connection with
plaster models. Yesterday two reso-
i,-.ions. looking TO strengthening the
record. were presented. and this
morning Mr.. Rembert suggested an
other plan OF investigation. and the
House. finally. after a "merry-go-
round adopted the suggestion Of Mr..
Stevenson relative to the inquiry as
10 how. when. and where the contract
that hes ben 80 much discussed was
really arranged.
Tho resolution. as adopted. and as
indicative Of the view Of the ma
ycrtty OF the House. reads az follows:
4. Resolved. by the House Of
Representatives. That committee Of
three mepbers Of the House be forth
with appointed by the Speaker and
when appointed. shall constitute
commission whose duty IL shall be to
Investigate and report to this House
vtth all convenient speed the facts ~
70 the conduct and action Of the COM
mittee on state House and grounds
AMI It's subcommittee. and all 9TH
er persons and officers connected
Herewith or alleged to have been
connected Herewith or to have had
anything to do with the ssme. as to
the plans undertaken and contracts
entsred into to carry out the terms of
a concurrent resolution. the object Of
which was to carry out the sugges-
tions Of the Governor In his M esss ge
No. In relation to the State House.
2. That said commission shall
have the power and authority to
swear witnesses. send for, compel the
attendance OF witnesses and produc-
tion Of papers; employ a stenograph-
er whose duty II shall be to take
and transcribe all testimony. preserve
order. and shall report the testimony
with their conclusions thereon back
to this House with all convenient
speed at this session. That the ser
geant-at-arms of this House is direct
cd to serve all process issued by said
commission. signed by Its chairman.
and obey the orders OF said COM
mission.
The following resolution was in
troduced by Mr.. Rembert:
Whereas certain Newspaper In this
State are attempting to fix the re-
sponsibility with reference to the
state House contract upon the Gov
ernor. Now. therefore. that justice
may DO done to all parties. be II
Resolved. That the committee on
ways and means be instructed to
Thoroughly investigate the entire mat
ter. summon and swear such Witness
- m may be necessary and report to
this body. nxing the responsibility
whore II belongs. together with all tes-
timoay taken In such hearing, and
caat said repert be made at the pres
cot Session
Mr.. Rembert vigorously defended
his resolution and he Insisted that he
had the utmost confidence In Messrs.
Todd and Benson. Bryan and mem
bers OF the committee making the
contract. Mr.. Cary urged that 1t was
not Legislative function TO try news
papers or bother with what this or
that newspaper suggested. He be-
heved the ways and means commit
too had already reported against the
claim.
Mr.. Stevenson offered a substitute
for the entire matter. This he held
was not a political matter az DR..
Sawyer had charged. was being made
OF the matter.
Dr. Sawyer suggested that he only
referred to the newspapers trying 10
make the whole matter a political
AFFAIR
Mr.. Stevenson said he wanted
prompt action, quick report and
Justice To everyone. Mr.. Stevenson
said Governor Blease denied nothing
and never said he was not present
when thu contract was signed.
Mr.. Bryan said he was misquoted.
He said more than was quoted In the
state.
Mr.. Stevenson said he had no pur>
pose to inject politics into the whole
inquiry. II members talked about
politics he would like them to read
the Governors reply for facts as to
tho alleged mill merger and his re-