The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-06

do with it; and there isn't man in
the State of any honor who will say
that 1 ever mentioned the matter of
an independent ticket to him, except
to discourage it.
AS to my "desertion" of Beard,
think it only necessary for me to say
that warned Beard frequently about
articles that he was writing, and told
him that if he was not careful he was
going to get into serious trouble. It
is unnecessary for me to say what
his reply was, for he is now serving
sentence for the charge which was
preferred against him.
AS TO the matter of having my name
and Mr.. McLaurin's name placed ION
the electoral ticket, 1 have never heard
of that before, and as matter Of
fact, Duncan Adams was not the Re-
publican State chairman, as every
body with any sense knows, but Joe
Tolbert of Ninety-Six held then and
holds now that position.
AS to Mr.. McLaurins' personal opin-
ion of me. that is quite laughable, af-
ter his very devoted service and ex-
penditure of time and money trying to
put me In the governors office for
third term. If was such a very bad
man as he says he knew I was, why
should he attempt to first me once
again upon the people of the State?,
OF course eevrybody knows and has
been knowing for many months past
that 1 was not supporting and would
not support John L. McLaurin for
governor That is what makes him
mad and what makes him. in his des-
peration, attempt to drag me into his
class of political deserters.
Referring to what he says about his
warehouse commissionership, surely
the man must be out of his mind or
have taken something which caused
him to have hallucinations. Some of
my friends talked to me in reference
to running for warehouse commis-
sioner after the position was estab-
lished, and / said that under no con-
ditions or circumstances could I ac-
cept it. And Claud N Sapp, then a
member Of the legislature from Lam
caster county. almost spontaneously,
you might say. just as the last mo-
ment arose in his seat and nominat-
ed Mr.. McLaurin for this position. T
really do not think McLaurin was
looking for the position. 1t came to
him without any solicitation on his
part, so far as l am informed, and I
think he was about as much surprised
when Mr.. Sapp nominated him as any
body else was. and addressed a COM
munication to the legislature, in which
/ said:
Il congratulate you upon the pas
sage of the acreage bill and the ware--
mouse bill. and upon your electing as
manager Of the warehouse system, the
logical man for the place-he who un-
derstands it best and who. if it can
be made a success. surely is the one
to have the credit
Therefore, the public can readily see
that there was absolutely no deal with
to make Aull his secretary;
but on the contrary, after his election,
he came into my office with Mr.. Aull
and said he didn't see how he could
run the business unless L would let
him have Aull to help him. 1 remem-
bered the conversation distinctly. And
said to Mr. Aull. John, 1 don't like
to give you up: my business is in such
shape now winding up the affairs of
he office; bHt L don't want to deprive
YOU of good position, because [ will
nave nothing to offer YOU after / leave
he governors office. and while do
20 with much reluctance, I am willing
or YOU to accept the position" And
turned Immediately to w. f. Black
'urn, who was in the room. and said,
Frank, l will appoint you private
ecretary. and I guess we can get
long" Mr.. Blackburn replied that we
ould, because John would be handy
we needed him or any special mat
ers"
regret to have taken this much