The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-08-11
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
Reward Offered by Congressman
Aiken-Col. Purcell May Claim

Herald and News, August f.
1t is stated by very reliable gen.
tleman who was present at the con-
gress:onal campaign meeting at Pick
ems on Saturday tlat Congressman
Aiken, in the course c. his remarks,
said that he had never gone back cn
promise that he had made That is
very commendable trait in any poll
tfcian, and in some cases a very rare
trait, we are sorry to chronicle. We
knew a very successful politician once
who never made promise, even to a
friend, if he intended to do what that
friend wanted He did it without
making the premise that he would do
it. And We found it a very proper
thing. We say that because we were
very close to this politician and Of
our own knowledge it saved him many
complications.
.Ir. Aiken is said to nave, empha-
sized his statement by adding that he
would give $1,000 to any person fur
nishing the proof tnat he had ever
made promise and failed to fulfill it.
1t is known to many people in New
berry, that for many years Col. c. j.
Purcell seemed to think that
overnment began and ended in Wyatt
Aiken, and no one dared to criticise
him in the presence of Col. Purcell
without having the maledictions OF
this colonel on his head Col. Purcell
lad been appointed postmaster at
Newberry under a Republican admin
istration, though every one knew he
was No Republican. Whenever Con-
sressman AikeI lit ne gccd town OF
Newberry Col Purcell was the man he
always sought. There could be found
no fault with the management o. the
.Vewberry postoffice under the admin
istration of Col. Purcell. When the
Democrats came into power there
we're rumors that there would be
I.ange in the postmastership at New
erry. and there were several appH-
cants for the position Col. Purcell S
term did not expire until the following
spring. Those who knew of the close
relationship between Col. Purcell and
Congressman Aiken did not anticipate
any change until tie term expired.
And according to the written words
If Congressman Aiken there was to
be- none.
It should be stated that Col. Purcell
was in the good days Of Tillmanism
a strong supporter of that gentleman,
and so strong did Gov. Tillman consid-
er him that ne made him a colonel on
his staff, and that is the way he ac-
uuired the honorable title Of colonel.
And as for Aiken, why ne would have
been willing to lay down his life Tor
him, and he would fall out with his
best friend III Newberry for Aiken.
When these rumors got started in
NewlDerry that &c was to be removed
he write to his good friend Wyatt
Aiken to know the truth about them,
and if they were true begged him 10
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 OF the good money he spent
to help his friend Wyatt Aiken to re-
tain his seat in congress. The let
ters explain themselves:
Newberry, S. c., May 9Th, 1913.
Hon. Wyatt Aiken, washington, D. c.
Dear Wyatt: 1 have been hoping
to have chat with you before your
return to Washington, thinking you
would stop by here. I want to know
what you think of probable change in
postmaster at this place, and in case
of a change, will it be at expiration OF
nv term or is there likelihood OF
change before then? Runner has it