The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-09-13
CALLS ON PEOPLE TO
HELP INVESTIGATION
W. F. STEVENSON, CHAIRMAN,
MAPS OUT THE WORK.
Wants Poll Lists Published and Scan'
ned by Citizens to Detect the
Irregularities.


Charlotte, N. c., Sept. 9.-W. F.
Stevenson, chairman of the special
committee of seven appointed by the
State Democratic executive commit
tee of South Carolina recently, to con-
duct an investigation into the primary
election for governor held August q,
spent today in conference here with
W. B. Wilson, Jr., of Rock Hill, and
r. B. Butler, of Gafney, regarding
plans for the proposed Investigation.
Just prior to leaving the city tonight
for Atlantic City, he dictated letter
to the Democrats of South Carolina, IN
which he mapped out the line of the
inquiry and called upon all good cit
izens to aid the committee in its
work. The assistance of the press OF
the State is requested in order that
ample publicity may be given the CLUB
rolls of the various counties with the
view to ferretting out as many Of the
Irregularities as possible. The fact is
emphasized that the primary system
of the State must be preserved and
that the inquiry must be prosecuted
to the end, regardless of whom it may
hurt, whether Jones or Blease. Each
county chairman is asked to prepare
club rolls and these, after being ar
ranged alphabetically, are to be pub
lished in the home papers and copies
are to be forwarded to the division
chairman having immediate super
vision of the investigation. All good
citizens are asked to scan these lists
to see that there are no duplicates and
that those voting were properly en-
titled to do SO.
The State Divided.
The State is divided into two dis
tricts, with the Southern railway
from Charlotte, via Columbia to Char
lesion the dividing line. A special
subcommittee, composed of W. B.
Wilson, chairman, J. D. Bivens and
R. NJ. Jefferies, is appointed to Sc
cure the club rolls and poll lists and
investigate ali evidences of crooked
ness east of the dividing line and in
cluding the counties through which
the line passes, and ]. B. Park, chair
man, T. B. Butler and ]. NJ. Grier are
appointed members of similar COM
mittee to take charge of the rest Of
the State. The meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, September II, is called
off.
Mr.. Stevenson's letter in full fol-
lows:
seTo the Democrats of South Carolina.
gentlemen: l have been designat-
ed as chairman of the committee to
investigate the primary election held
August 81, last, for governor, and
owing to absence from the State re-
covering my health, I was delayed in
assuming direction of the work. 1
now call on all good citizens to aid in
the work, as it is manifest that in the
time available and the great extent of
the work, seven men can do little if
not aided. We ask your aid:
First. IN reporting instances of
wrongdoing, making the report in the
form of affidavit, if possible giving
names of witnesses and where found;
send this information to the chairman
of the committee having charge of
your division of the State as shown
below.
Wants Poll List.
Second. Aid in getting copies of
the poll list arranged alphabetically
and copies of the club roll of the re-
spective counties arranged alphabet
cally and the poll list, together with
the returns required to be filed with
the clerk of court, such as are either
in his hands or in the hands of the
/ county chairman. At the end of the
D poll list of each precinct the vote re-
ported by the managers for governor
should be stated