The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-05
REFUSE TO RETIRE
AIKEN DISPENSARY OFFICIALS
BUCKING GOV. MANNING.
Town of Aiken is Considerably Arous.
ed Over Action-Old Scrap Opened
Anew.

Refusing to be checked out and to
turn over the affairs of the Aiken
dispensary to the newly elected and
commissioned dispenser, officials of
the institution in that county who
have Leen in control for several years
past late Friday afternoon openly de-
fed Gov. Manning, disregarding the
action of the governor in issuing the
commissions of the dispenser and Of
ficials elected at a meeting Of the dis
pensary board held Tuesday of last
week.
The refusal of the old officials to
recognize the orders of the chief exc
cutive OF the State and their express
ed intention of holding on to their
jobs, although their successors have
been duly elected and commissioned,
has created serious situation and is
causing much. excitement.
Public sentiment is aroused and
feeling is running high, as the ger
eral public, having tired of the agi-
tation that has been going on for
months over control of the dispen-
sary, fight that started during the
campaign Of last summer when the
dispensary forces were active in sup
port of a defeated candidate for
United States senator, had welcomed
the settlement of the matter Of the
control of the dispensary, as it was
thought, when Tuesday two new
members Of the dispensary board and
third, holding over through the
failure of the county delegation to
nominate a member to fill the place
Of Mr.. Rawls of Wagner, who had
the delegation and resigned, organiz-
ed and, according to law, elected Of
fcials for the several dispensaries
throughout the county, cutting sal
aries and making plans for innova-
tions aimed at lifting the dispensary
out of county politics.
There is much resentment on the
part of the public because, defying
the governor, ignoring his orders and
refusing to recognize commissions is.
sued by the chief executive to new Of
fcials, certain old officials have in
their attempt to retain control of the
dispensary, opened the agitation
anew.
What will be the action Of the gov,
ernor when he is informed of the de.
velopment in Aiken is not known.
When the new chairman of the dis.
pensary board, P. ?. Dyches. served
notice on the dispenser of No. l dis
pensary at Aiken, T. J. Southall. that
his successor, R. J. Wade, had beer
commissioned by Gov. Manning, Mr.
Wade being present and armed with
his commission, Mr.. Southall refused
to comply with the demand that h
turn over his keys to Mr.. Wade after
he had been checked out He de-
clared that he would not step out be-
fore May l, if then.
Three members of the county del
egation held a meeting at the office
OF Senator Williams. The other mem
Der of the delegation, G. L. Toole
was not notified of the meeting al
that time, it is stated. A recon-
| mendation was made for appointment
by the governor of another member
/ of the county board. Mr.. Rawls
resignation was handed in more thar
| three weeks ago and since that time
the terms of office of the old dispen
sary board have expired and the new
board is in charge.
Following the refusal of the ole
officials of the Aiken dispensary tt
recognize the commissions of theil
duly appointed successors signed by
Gov. Manning, and the open defiance
of the governor late Friday after
noon the three dispensaries in Aiker
were clised Saturday morning by the
chief of police, Jesse George, act
ing on orders from Mayor W. J
Moseley, a few minutes after they
opened.
| Mayor Moseley stated that he
wanted to keep the dispensaries il
his jurisdiction closed tight until the
governors orders can be obeyed
Other dispensaries throughout the
county have remained open, but the
| action of Gov. Manning is being
awaited with unusual interest, for il
is believed that he will act deci5ively
in the matter during the next week