The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-15
PEABODY PROBE RESUMED.
WITNESSES GIVE FEW NEW
FACTS ABOUT DISTRIBUTION
OF MONEY.
j. T.. swearingcn and August Kohn
Give Testimony--statement by Dr.
ID. n. Johnson.

u
Ing the president OF the University
OF South Carolina. was held yes
terday afternoon. The witnesses
examined brought out few new facts
although the testimony was interest
Ing and gave some additional evil
dence as TO the distribution OF the
Peabody fund. j. E. Swearingen
state superintendent OF education, told
or the visit OF the committee from
the board OF trustees OF the University
OF South Carolina to New York as
did August Kohn, also a member of
the board. Their testimony was to
the effect that the representatives Of
the university did not desire to take
away from Winthrop anything to
which that institution was entitled.
A letter was read from DR.. Mitchell
president Of the university, stating
that IL would be impossible for him
to attend on account OF illness. This
letter was accompanied by a physi-
clans certificate. Dr. Mitchell wrote
I'm part:
Il deeply regret that owing to sick
ness shall be unable to be present at
the hearing OF the investigating COM
mitee this afternoon. 1t Is perhaps
unnecessary for me to add a word
to what has already been said am
perfectly willing to rest the case upon
the statements OF Gov. Ansel. South
Carolinas representative on the Pea
body board. and of DIR. wickliffe Rose.
the general agent OF the Peabody
board--both OF them impartial and
fully informed as to the facts.
Tho decision in this matter I gladly
leave to the judgment Of your COM
mittee and to the love OF fair play
which Is an instinct with the people Of
South Carolina"
DIR. Johnson then read a statement
signed by the governor. Attorney Gen-
eral Peoples and f. III. Aull, relating
TO the conversation In the Office OF
the executive.
DR.. Johnson submitted the follow
ing to the committee:
'Mr. Chairman. 1 feel that in jus
tice to this committee and myself I
should say that spoke under strain
the other day when I said two men,
bers OF this committee were hostile
to me.
'T wish to say now that feel that
j was mistaken and / wish to make
tnis public correction as due all con-
ce-ned.
"T think I should repeat here that
I thought the university was fighting
Winthrop when the university signed
the petition for Peabody money.
which IL granted would have left
Winthrop without a dollar. knowing
Winthrop's expectations and good
prospects. Also that 1t was acting in
an unfriendly way I'm sending a COM
mit:ee to New York to appear before
the Peabody board in opposition TO
the resolution on the minutes Of that
board In favor OF Winthrop.
However. that matter has been
amicabiy adjusted. although / feel
that the divided ranks in our educa-
uonal froces shown before the Pea
body board jeopardized the chances Of
both institutions.
But i have no wish, and have had
no wish. to harm the university or any
one connected with II. We have had
some differences. and may have
others. but that should not cause a
hght on the part OF either to injure
the other.
"Mr. Chairman. let me explain that
when I said confirmed the letter
OF 1911 I did not mean TO say that
repeated all OF the items OF that
letter. OF that made use OF the Ian
guage OF that Letter.
Now. Mr.. Chairman. wish to give
my reasons for believing that Win
throp lost heavily by reason OF the ac-
INVITES OF the trlenuS ana representa-
tlves OF the State universities in the
matter OF the distribution of he Pea
body fund in view of Dr.. Roses testi-
mOny q: the last meeting OF this com
mittce. We will all asiee from the
testimony given here and papers sub
mitttf 1 am sure that winthrop stood
high In the estimation OF the Pea
body board. and that / had reason to
hope that II would be handsomely re-
membered when the final distribution
OF the fund was made.
II did not know OF the report OF
1906 signed by two members Of the
board untn 1911. 1 have telegram
from GOV. Ansel. in which ne says:
Your wire received Tho first I knew