The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-14
SENATOR T|LLMAN SHOCKED.
CALLS FOR REFORM IN SOUTH
CAROLINA POLITICS.
Points Out Wrongs Specifically Re-
ferring to First District i'm Exhorta-
ton That States Name be Kept
Clean.

Some people in Charleston and
COlleton counties will not understand
just how or why Mr.. Murray has be-
come postmaster at Walterboro, while
Mr.. Storen has lost out in his fight for
the position of collector of the port at
Charleston. The situation was Just
this George Legare while living in
dorsed both Of these men for the re-
spective Offices and / promised him I
would do what I could for both of
them.
while the second primary was still
pending in the congressional district
both names were sent to the president
for appointment, but no action was
taken. Senator Smith and l indorsed
both men and had the appointments
been made when the names first went
to the president, both would have
been in Office now. For some reason
which I have never been able to un-
derstand Mr. Murray's name came to
the senate for postmaster at Walter
boro while Storen's name hung fire.
When Mr. Whaley came to Wash
ington and urged his right to make
the appointments in his congressional
district. as We all had agreed that the
congressman should DO, the situation
was as I have above indicated.
I'VE had indorsed Mr.. Murray and
to our surprise the name came to the
senate the day after Mr.. Whaley ap-
peared here and after the second pri-
mary had been held. Although he
was not a congressman he was to all
intents and purposes elected and we
so recognized him.
Realizing that it would be unfair
| to Mr.. Whaley to press Storen's ap-
pointment under the circumstances
We held 1t up and waited for news
from Charleston.
II wrote to George Legare's bosom
friends there and asked their opin-
ion and advice. The replies were that
if George Legarc were living they be-
lieved he would be against Storen
rather than for him.
Mr.. Whaley had indicated a pref =
erence for Mr.. Harvey first and for
Mr.. Peters second. Finally it was
agreed that Mr.. Peters should be rec
commended for appointment and his
name was sent to the president and is
now before the senate.
"Murrays appointment had been
made and was out of reach before Mr..
Whaley arrived in Washington. The
senators would have stultifed them
selves had they tried to recall it, With
Storen the case was different and we
did recall his name and substitute
Peters. Mr.. Storen's activity against
Mr.. Whaley is the cause Of his failure
to get the office.
II think it worth while and indeed
my duty to warn the people Of the
First Congressional district if half we
hear in Washington is true, somebody
ought to be put in the pen pretty soon.
An examination of The penal code
shows that sections $50, 361. 1862. 1868
and S65 have all been violated by
more people than are aware Of il.
perhaps. Promises to give offices. ac-
tual payment of money for votes and
other serious crimes are mentioned.
Many men, not in one county but in
several, are liable to go to the pen. or
pay heavy fines. The papers Of the
State would do we'll and render the
public a service if they would print
these sections Of the code as q warn
ing to office seekers and their friends
Il sincerely trust that the next ses-
sion of the legislature will throw such
safeguards around the primary as to
make the corruption which is charged
impossible to occur again. We have
laws enough to punish fraud and brib-
cry if they are only enforced, but laws
are mere waste paper if there are no
officials ready to carry them out. Pub
lie opinion must compel the officers
to do thir duty or else the State will
be corrupted throughout its borders.
1T will be remembered that these
statutes were enacted after con-
gressional race in the Second district,
where much money was used 1t is
very clear to my mind that the Demo
cratic party must take active and ag-
gressive steps to stop such transac-
tions. We can hope for good gov
ernmcnt otherwise to maintain the
State'S fair name.
1T is enough to make any South
Carolinian ashamed of his state TO
hear of so much rOttenneSS and COR
rIlDtipn in tho First