The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-08-04
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
Reward Offered by Congressman
Aiken-COl. Purcell May Claim
IT.

1t is stated by a very reliable gen
tleman who was present at the con-
gressional campaign. meeting at Pick
ems on Saturday. that Congressman
Aiken. in the course of his remarks,
said that he had never gone back on
a promise that ne had made. That is
a very ccmmendable trait in any poll
tician, and in some cases a very rare
trait, we are sorry to chronicle. We
knew very successful politician once
who never made a promise, even to a
friend, if he intended to do what that
friend wanted. He did it without
making the promise that ne would DO
it And we found it very proper
thing. We say that because we were
very close to this politician and OF
our own knowledge it saved him many
comr ications.
Mr.. Aiken is said to have empaa-
sized his statement by adding that he
would give $1,000 to any person fur
nisaing the proof that he had ever
made a promise and failed to fulfil it..
1t is known to many people in New
berry, that for many years Col. c. }.
Purcell seemed to think that
government began and ended in Wyatt
Aiken, and no one dared to criticize
him in the presence of Col. Purcell
without having the maledictions OF
this colonel on his head. Col. Purcell
had been appointed postmaster at
Newberry under a Republican admin
fst1ation, though every one knew lie
was no Republican. Whenever Con-
gressman Aiken hit he good town OF
Newberry Col. Purcell was the man he
always sought, There could be found
no fault with the management OF the
Newberry postoff1ce under the admin
istration of Col Purcell. When the
Democrats came into power there
were rumors that there would be a
change in the postmastership at New
berry. and there were several appli-
cants for the position. Col. Purcell,s
term did not expire until the following
spring. Those who knew of tae cfcse
relationship between Col. Purcell and
Congressman Aiken did not anticipate
any change until the term expired.
And according to the written words
of Congressman Aiken there was to
be none.
1t should be stated that Col, Purcell
was in the good days cf Tillmanism
a strong supporter Of that gentleman,
and so strong did Gov. Tillman consid-
er him that he made him colonel on
his staff, and that is the way he ac-
quired tie honorable title of colonel.
And as 70. Aiken, why he would have
been willing to lay down mis- life for
him, and he would fall out with his
best friend in Newberry for Aiken.
When these rumors got started in
Newberry that he was to be removed
he wrote to his good friend Wyatt
Aiken to know the truth about them,
and if they were true begged him to
give him the privilege of resigning
rather than to be removed.
The following correspondence ex-
plains itself and also explains whether
or not Mr.. Aiken has ever made a
promise that he did not keep. We
think Col. Purcell should claim the
reward so that he might be recouped
for some cf the good money he spent
to help his friend Wyatt Aiken to re-
tain his seat in congress. TIE let
ters explain themselves:
Newberry, S. c., May 9Th, 1913.
Hon. Wyatt Aiken, Washington, D. c.
Dear Wyatt; i have been hoping
to have a chat with you before your
return to Washington, thinking you
would stop by here l want to know
what you think Of a probable change in
postmaster at this place and in case
Of a change, Will it be at expiration of
my term or is there Z likelihood Of d
c5ange before taen? Rumor has it
that it WI be shortly Our personal
Interests in each Tiers welfare as
shown by our past relationship and
: present so far as / know. Will warrant
You in being perfectly frank with ne
and put me in a position SO that l can
get out if necessary and not be turned
out. You being on the spot can best
tell me the true status, Were I have
TO rely on newspaper articles and ru-