The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-27

was the caFalcelde or autos ready 70
celebrate the premeditated victory;
on the outside. too barred from en-
trance. the Hyde cha1lengers, chal-
1enged and witnesses were, kept there
until near daylight in fatigue and dis
comfort while those Of my opponent
were comfortably housed within. So
far. were my friends kept from the
scene d, the hearing that when Hyde
witnesses were called the call was re-
layed and then only reached them
through a megaphone:
With this setting there, followed
procedure .lnheard of in.its enormity
and arbitrary, high handed denial Of
right. The proceedings were in
camera. the worst form of star cham
her. Doors were closed. It had been
announced repeatedly that counsel
would not be allowed to represent
the contestants. Reporters for the
press were excluded. Demands for q
stenographer were denied. The peti-
ton for a recount was postponed
without argument. and never acted on
or further considered. The rules re-
quiring the hearing to be before the
executive committee, a resolution was
tabled. against delegatinG this to a
subcommittee. a small part Of: the re-
Sponsible body. 1t was delegated to
the committee on canvass. This COM
mittee consisted of four Grace men,
two Hyde men and the chairman of
the executive committee, exofficio.
making therefore majority of five
against two; two of the n.e being my
opponents law partner. Of three
lawyers Of the Hyde faction on the
executive committee no one was en-
trusted in this all-importaiit function
Again a. stenographer ws.s denied.
The examining and cross examining
of witnesses was denied to all ex-
cept the chairman of the executive
committee. my opponents law part
ner. The right was denied to the
challenged party to have his accuser
meet him face to face. Against OBJ
lection witnesses were allowed to
come in together and hear each
others testimony. The proceeding cul-
minated in blanket resolution Of
fered by one Of my opponents law
partners disposing pro and con OF
over seventy names-the list of these
read from a typewriter paper. the
names scarcely heard in the hurry
and tumble of sound. Whatever it
was the resolution was adopted by q
vote of five to two-and thus the
momentous question Of your city ad-
was submitted to the executive COM
mittee, 1t was passed without evi-
dence or argument, by strictly par
tisan vote of twelve to twelve, the
chairman. Mr.. Grace's law partner.
casting the deciding vote and thus
breaking the tie!
A motion asking for copy of the
list as railroaded through was made
and refused.
A resolution that the ballots be pre-
served under seal and guard for flu
ture use was offered and denied.
The meeting adjourned.
1t is right an proper that these
facts be called to the attention Of the
Dem ocratic voters of Charleston. l
assure them that their rights will be
submitted to the vindication Of the
courts with full. detailed and convinc-
ing evidence. ! have only been able
to touch hurriedly on certain phases
here
1t is plain from what have set
forth above that 1 have simply been
counted out Of the majority which I
unGuestionably received at the polls
On last Tuesday in an election at
which my opponent was in full control
of the election machinery. l do not
propose to submit to this and I re-
gard it as a duty which I owe to the
people of Charleston to press this
matter in the courts promptly and
vigorously This I shall do. I am
confident Of the justice Of our cause
and l know that the public will ap-
prove the course am taking. Very
respectfully. T r. Hyde.
Charleston. s. c.. Aug. %.