The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-08-18
DIAL MAKES REPLY.
Senator Says Former District Attor-
torney in Error.

b. Dial issued the following state
ment:
81 have just read a trade of j.
William Thurmond against me. In
many of Mr.. Thurmond's statements
he is absolutely in error. l do not
suppose the public is very much in
terested in this subject, but l will
reiterate it's history briefly, as he has
mentioned it.
In 1912 and 1918 several of us
were candidates for the senate. Mr..
Thurmond was manager of Senator
Tillman's campaign both times and
organized the state against me. When
the western district of South Caro-
lima was blished, he was ap-
pointed district attorney by Senator
Tillman, which was perfectly natural.
After Sen. 'Tillman's death in 1918
I was told that Mr.. Thurmond was
speaking good words in my behalf.
II am sorry Mr.. Thurmond speaks
of my dining with him, for it forces
me to mention the subject. While at
the campaign meeting In Aiken, Mr..
Thurmond phoned me to come to
Edgefeld and spend the night with
him. For this I thanked him, but
politely declined. After speaking at
Edgefeld, Mr.. Thurmond invited Sem
ator Pollock and me to dine with him,
which we accepted. The public can
understand my position in this mat
ter.
stDuring Christmas, 1919, Mr..
Thurmond asked me to have him re-
appointed. told him that had not
discussed the matter at all in
Washington, but would let him hear
very soon. After consultation and
investigating the matter here. I in
formed him that under all the cir
cumstances I could not recommend
his reappointment, and that I had
recommended another, whereafter he
and his friends bombarded me with
petitions, the purpose being evident.
"Mr. Thurmond is also in error
about what transpired in Washing
ton. I suggested the name of my
friend, T. P: Cothran, for appoint
ment as district attorney, he being
one of the strongest lawyers in the
south, a lifelong friend of mine and
a strong supporter in all my cam
paigns. The attorney general in
formed me he would consider the
matter and we would discuss it fur
ther. I left word at the White House
that wanted to see the president at
the proper time. A few days later
Mr.. Thurmond's nomination came to
the senate, communicated with the
White House and they were very
much surprised and asked me to hold
Mr.. Thurmond's confirmation up in
: the senate, and also suggested that
see the attorney general. I declined
the latter suggestion. Later the at
torney general phoned to me to come
up, as he desired to confer with me,
and said that he was ready to ap-
point Mr. Cothran.
'tMr. Thurmond is also in error
about my not being able to defeat
his confirmation in the senate if had
desired. Any senator can defeat the
confirmation of anyone in his state in
few seconds.
'Mr. Thurmond is also in error in
saying Mr.. Cothran was candidate
for United States judge at the time
referred to-1920-for there was no
vacancy in that position, Judge Wat
kins having been confirmed on July
%, 1919.
''After visit to Washington, and
when everything had been arranged
for Mr.. Cothran to be appointed, he
notified me on July 20, 1920, that he
didn't care to accept the place, ex-
pressing great gratitude at my efforts
in his behalf, but stated that he felt
it was his duty to the people Of South
Carolina to run for the general as
sembly from Greenville county. 1t
was agreeable to me then for the
attorney general to send down the
name of Mr.. Thurmond, for reap
pointment. His name was sent down
day or two after congress convened
on December 6. I asked the judi
ciary committee to confirm him, but
his name was held up, along with
many others.
MY policy has been since the Re-
publicans have taken charge to ask
no favors of the administration. The
wisdom of this can readily be under
stood. Anyway, it was said here that
the ATTORNEY general was disposed to