The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-03-04
BAMBERG, S. G. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1911
BOARD BEFORE GOVERNOR.
Barnwell Members Deny Charges
Brought Concerning Dispensary.

Columbia, Feb. 25.-Hearing on
the order for the members of the
Barnwell dispensary board to show
cause why they should not be re-
moved from Office was begun today
before Governor Richard l. Manning.
The hearing, which was held in the
supreme court room, was attended
by half hundred citizens of Farm
we'll county. The members of the
board cited to appear by the COVER
nor are: B. F. Peoples, v. S. Owens
and S. A. Wise. The first session
was begun at II o'clock and ended
; at 2 o'clock. During the afternoon
several witnesses were examined.
Governor Manning made it clear that
his order was issued upon affidavits
submitted.
Il want to arrive at the facts.
don't want to have technicalities in
jected into the case," said Governor
Manning.
Many affidavits were read at the
hearing by both sides.
The attorneys for the dispensary
board read afidavits denying each
and every charge preferred in tie
governors order.
The attorneys for the prosecution
withdrew the charge of "habitual
drunkenness" which had been
brought against V. S. Owens, men,
Der of the board. More than score
of affidavits were read to disprove
the charge that Mr.. Owens was ad-
dicted to the use of whiskey. The
resolutions adopted by the Barnwell
Bar association and the town council
endorsing Mr.. Owens were introduced
as evidence.
The members Of the board in their
return denied that worthless goods
had been purchased for the dispen-
saries; that excessive price had been
paid for whiskey; stated that the SAL
ary of employees was entirely within
the discretion of the members: de-
MED that relatives had been knowing
ly appointed as dispensers.
1--WE were greatly surprised at the
complaints and we do not fear to ar-
proach an investigation" was the
statement contained in one of the
af1idavits.
IL. Tobin, clerk Of the board, de-
MED in an affidavit that worthless
goods had been purchased by the dis
pensary board.
Several of the county dispensers
sent affidavits denying that they had
been furnished with unstable
liquor" by the dispensary board.
The report of the special commit
tee of the grand jury, which praised
the work Of the dispensary board.
was read at the hearing. The grand
jury recommended that the contract
for hauling whiskey be awarded by
competitive bids, taking the position
that 5000 a month, as paid now, is
too high.
Attorneys for the board objected
to the introduction of oral testimony,
on the ground that no opportunity
was given to make answer.
"I can better arrive at the facts in
the case after hearing the testi-
mony," said Governor Manning in re-
ply to the attorneys. The governor
indicated that he might permit the
board to make answer to any state
ments that the witnesses might make.
W. I. Johns, member Of the special
committee of the grand j'lry appoint
ed to investigate the dispensary, was
the first witness al the hearing. He
took the stand Immediately after the
reading of the affidayits. He sub
stantiated statements already made
in his affidavits and gave information
as to "unsalable" whisHey furnished
the county dispensaries by the coun-
ty board.
"Our report on the dispensaries
was a farce. We simply adopted the
auditors report" said Mr.. Johns.
After a long session tonight the
Barnwell hearing was brought to
close until March 4, when arguments
by attorneys will be heard. No new
testimony will be introduced.