The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-02-26
very customary wa.


In this connection the statement by
the governor that the judiciary COM
mittee of the senate passed a resOiu-
ton. directed at Mr. Richardson anu
his friends, denying tJ them the priv
ileges of its committee room, can not
De sustained. The governor was doubt
less misinfoTmed as to this matter.
Tndenia bly, the committee did pass a
resolution excluding from its commit
tee loom the public generally, with
certain exceptions, but neither the
name Of Mr.. Richardson nor any
other individual was mentioned in
said resolution nor in connection
Herewith at the time it was passed.
As stated b. the chairman Of the ju-
dietary committee at the hearing, the
resolution was directed to the public
generally who habitually resorted to
the committee room at times when
their presence seriously interfered
with the committee in the perform
ance of its routine duties.
Third. That the chief game warden
exceeded the expense account allow
ed him by the law.
This charge is sustained, but salts
factory explanation of the fact was
offered by Mr. Richardson. 1t was
/ pointed out by him that after the pas
sage of what is known as the county
license law the activities of the de-
partment were very greatly enlarged
and the expenses of administration
proportionately increased. The ex-
pense account allowed was $1,000 and
Mr.. Richardson spent less than $500 IN
excess of that amount. The reason
ableness of this excess expenditure IS
shown by the fact that the present
chief game warden has asked for and
received at the hands of the legisla-
ture an expense allowance Of S1,S0O.
1t may be stated further that Mr.
Richardson exceeded the legal allow
ance only under an advisory opinion
from the attorney generals office, and
the amount of the excess was drawn
On the game prostection fund, which
under the law is subject to the order
of the chief game warden for pur-
poses of game law enforcement.
Fourth. That the chief game warden
and his subordinates collected fines
in the field without due process OF
law.
Your minority committee finds that
the governor had ample information
on which to base this statement and
it is in effect admitted by Mr.. Rich
ardson. 1t was shown, however, that
practically all of these fines were col
lected from non-residents who had
violated the game laws Of this State
and preferred to give and forfeit a
cash bond rather than go into the
courts; and it was further shown that
Mr.. Richardson relied upon an opin-
ion from the attorney generals office
for his authority in accepting these
cash bonds, and then exercised such
authority in only rare and exceptional
cases. In the cases cited before the
committee, it is found that the monies
so collected were properly turned
lover to the State treasurer. The COM
jmittee does not approve this method
of collecting fines, Notwithstanding
| the fact that it is practiced largely
| by other administrative departments
of the State, and notably by the police
departments Of cities and towns.
Fifth. ,Extravagance and waste:
The governor makes no direct charge
| of extravaganza and waste on the part
fof the former chief game warden, ye;
an opinion to that effect might easily
be inferred from the language Of his
veto message. with our limited
knowledge Of the details of admins
tering this Office, we are hardly in
position to pass intelligently and
definitelp upon the matter. 1t is
realized, however, that the depart.
ment is very young: was built up and
enlarged during the incumbency OF
Mr.. Richardson as it's head, and
doubtless, required large expendi-
lures, the propriety and reasonable.
ness of which would not he apparent
to those not intimately familiar wits
the requirements of thorough admin
Iistration From the statements made
by Mr. Richardson as to salaries
paid, amounts paid for automobile and
boat hire; and by comparison of his
expenditures with those of his sue
cessor, this committee is unwilling
to find that his office was character
lied by extravaganza or wastefulness
rrbcro SC Iftlo Doubt bo1royor that