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jp*' t ^9s* CTBV BPHBim, ; ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLY. l m. grist s sons, Pnbu.hers.} & 4amiI8 hewsjajw: 4" (ht ^romolioit of the golitiea!, ?ocM Sgrieulfurnl and Communal Jntereste of tti< |leop!<. { ESTABLISHED 1855 YORKVILLE. sf C.7 TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1912. KTO. 59. GOV. BLEASE Complete Refutation * . Cha CITES OFFICIAL RECORDS) K Warm Document Read to Chester Last Saturday. ^ ery Charge of Felder a fic Reply.?Accuses M Charleston Graft Story Clean Up of Rabens Pc At Chester last Saturday, Governor Cole Ju Blease read his promised statement refuting the charges brought against him by Thos. B. Felder of Georgia, and W. J. Burns, the detective. Including copies of atflda-J ^ vits, the statement makes about sixty ^ pages of typewritten manuscript. Bach and every charge or rumor is taken up separately ana answereu uy ?.< ? governor. Gov. Blease says Felder lied when he says he went to Charleston between the two primaries in 1910 to get money from the "tigers" ft>r his (Blease's) campaign expenses. He says that the statement that he is getting graft from Charleston blind tigers originated with Mayor Grace, of that city owing to the governor's refusal to allow Grace to control the constabulary there. The governor denies that he received any money for his signature to the interurban railway act or that he knew of any plans to buy a pardon for Gus DeFord or any one else and says that not one word about it had been said to him by Nichols. As to the pardon for F. W. Bentley the governor denies that he received pay for its Issuance. He says a check ^ for (25 was sent him for the payment of Bentley's railroad fare to his hofhe in Iowa, but that no other money figured in the transaction. The governor mentions persons from whom petitions were received requesting pardons, one of whom was the Kev. Dr. W. A. C. Mueller, a Lutheran pastor of Charleston. He says the accusations made by Felder that |2,000 had been paid by Rabens for his freedom was a wilful falsehood and he submits affidavits from Rabens and Dr. Mueller purporting to deny this charge. ^ He presents an affidavit from H. H. " Evans to the effect that he has never had any transactions with Blease as to dispensary affairs or that he and Blease were never in Atlanta together nor has he ever had money paid to him by any party for Governor Blease. Governor Blease also presented af* fldavits from a dozen persons that he was not concerned in any liquor or other corrupt transactions. As to the famous "T. B. "letters, of which Felder has denied authorship, the governor said that he had submitted the letters to several gentlemen of Columbia who are familiar with the handwriting of Felder and ^ that these gentlemen are willing to go ^ on the stand ana swear that the letters were written by T. B. Felder. Persons in the state of Georgia who are also familiar with the handwriting of Felder had made the same assertions. I have also two letters written by Felder?one from England and > one from a point in the United States ?to a woman, and the writing of these letters compared with those of the "T. B." letters shows that the letters I hold were written by Felder." In conclusion, the governor says that he has endeavored to answer every charge made against him, but if any honest man in soutn uaronna ue^ sires any information regarding any~ thing, however, small, regarding any alleged dishonorable act, he is willing to answer the accusatlorf. The governor's statement is as follows: Fellow South Carolinians: On Friday, July 12, and on Satur0 day, July 13, a committee, appointed by the state legislature, commonly known as the dispensary investigating committee, held meetings in the city of Augusta, Ga. The acts of that committee and the matters brought out before it have been sent broadcast over your state, and to all other parts of the United States as well. Every daily newspaper in South Carolina, and practically all the weekly newspapers, have carried accounts of the meetings held on those two days. In % a number of newspapers my name has .been carried in large headlines?headlines not setting forth even the truth of the reports appearing in the papers themselves. I candidly state that I have been inclined to pay no attention , to the slanders, rumors and insinuations?none of the matters referred to should be dignified by being styled "charges"?that have appeared In the newspapers, as coming before this committee, but it has occurred to me that it is not me and my good name alone that are involved, but the good name and honor of the Palmetto state and her great people are al3o affected, w As your chief executive, it is my duty to defend my state and my people; therefore, I shall, at this time and in this manner, lay bare before you thei damnable conspiracy to cause the people of South Carolina to lose confi^ denee in my honor and to tarnish the proud name of the greatest commonwealth in the American union. On July 18, in the public prints, a prominent citizen of this state, who has been a personal friend of Ira B. Jones, an opponent of mine in the race for governor, and who has recently been giving Mr. Jones his political support, commenting on the rottenness of the Augusta proceedings, demanded that Mr. Jones denounce those proceedings. Presumably in reply to that demand, Mr. Jones, at the campaign meeting in Columbia on July 19, announced that he approved the conduct and actions at Augusta. Differing ft from the view taken by Mr. Jones, I am now bound to give my reasons for my disapproval, that the people may pass judgment between Mr. Jones and me. and our respective opinions. My statement must necessarily be of some length, but I ask you to become Informed of every word of it, remembering that it is not one-tenth as long as the reports which have appeared in the newspapers In the ittempt to reflect upon your honor and mine. It Is my purpose to give you facts in a plain manner?and I shall comment Jfc on those facts. My language, in some ^ instances, must be strong, but it is language that a gentleman can use and must use on such occasion, for the reason that no other words will properly describe my meaning and convey the truths I shall set forth. * Powers of the Committee. First, I wish to call to your attention the power given to this dispensary investigating committee by your legislature and the duties required of it. I refer you to the acts of the general assembly for the year 1912, page 1041, for the law under which this committee is supposed to be proceeding. The title of the act is as follows: "An act to provide for an investigation of the acts and doings of the state dispensary commission, and the acts and doings of the attorney general in >? connection therewith, and of the acts and doings of the committee of the general assembly appointed under a concurrent resolution of the general assembly, dated Junuary 31, 1905, and of the acts and doings of any other person or persons in any way f connected with the affairs of the state dispensary, and the investigation and winding up thereof." It authorizes and empowers said committee to summon before It any MAKES REPLY. of Felder's Augusta rges. [^PRESENTS AFFIDAVITS Two Thousand Peoplfe at ?Takes Up Each and Evnd Burns and Gives Speciayor Grace of Originating r Out of Pique.?Complete ? A 11, a? iraon Allegation. person or persons they may deem proper, and to require such person or persons to answer, upon oath, any and all questions that the committee may deem relevant and may propound to him or them; and upon the failure or refusal of such person or persons to obey such summons or notice, or to answer such question or questions, such person or persons shall be deemed to be in contempt of the authority of said committee, and may be imprisoned apon the order of said committee in the common Jail, to be there held until he or they shall comply with the order of the said committee; and, further, that said committee shall have power to administer necessary oaths, and any person who shall, after being sworn before said committee, swear falsely, shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided by law. A careful reading of the act will show you that the title properly expresses the powers given and the du[ ties required of the committee, and this committee has not, and can not have, any other powers save such powers as are delegated to it by the law-making body which gave it existence. Committee's Acts Unlawful. The committee, when it first took up its duties, although listening to much hearsay testimony and giving much regard to mere rumors, confined its work to matters connected with the state dispensary, as specified in the law under which the committee I was acting; but, later, and when the [ campaign for the election of state officials was opening up, the committee forgot the authority given to it and assumed to itself powers whidh it did (not have. It began an investigation of dispensary matters not connected with the old state dispensary. It went to Charleston and attempted to investigate matters connected with the local dispensaries of that county and the enforcement of the present dispensary law. Still later, when the campaign for governor had begun to wax warm, when the speech I had delivered at Bishopville had been read and was being read by the voters of the state, the commission decided that it had the power not only to investigate all dispensary matters?past, present and future?but it took upon itself, without authority of law, thp rieht. Drivileee and power to in vestigate one certain public official and all of this official's conduct, past, present and future?that official is the governor of South Carolina. The committee not only sought information in regard to my alleged transactions with the dispensary system; It has not only made inquiries as to my conduct as a state senator several years ago? but it has gone further and has attempted, and is attempting, to examine Into my acts as governor of your state, especially to matters of my approving and vetoing legislation and the matter of granting and refusing to grant pardons, paroles and commutations. Not only has this committee nothing to do with matters of executive clemency, but the general assembly of this state, from which this committee was appointed, has nothing to do with the matter of pardons, paroles and commutations. Under the constitution of this state, these things are left exclusively with the governor. Unquestionably, I could convince you, and I believe every lawyer of ability in South Carolina will agree with me, that the manner in which this committee has acted towards me is unlawful?and I could stop this statement with that legal showing? but the question of the Jurisdiction of the committee I shall waive, in order that the people of the state may judge as to the motives and purposes of such unlawful Investigation which has been undertaken. Felder's Motives. About fifteen months ago, information came to me that one T. B. Felder of Atlanta, Georgia, had attempted to bribe certain officials- of this state, and that he had endeavored to form a conspiracy to defraud the state and her people. Letters written by this man, were placed with me, showing conclusively his guilt. As your chief executive, it was my duty, if it were possible for me to do so, to have Felder placed on trial in your courts. Seeking to carry out the law of the state, I attempted to have Felder arrested. Being a man of some ability, possessed of considerable wealth, connected with certain influences and interests in the state of Georgia, supported by some men in South Carolina who hated me more than they loved their state, being unscrupulous in his methods, knowing that he was guilty of the charges, that I had brought against him and fearing to face an honest South Carolina jury. Felder evaded arrest and has continuously since remained a fugitive from the justice of this state. Thinking to justify the criminal course he has pursued and was pursuing. at the same time endeavoring to prepare himself to meet the issue If I ever succeeded in placing him in the dock, from his office in Atlanta, Felder began to issue vituperation against me- and the people of South Carolina who had chosen me to the high office I hold. His filthy slanders were displayed with great glee by the newspaper combination that has been, and is yet, seeking to deprive me of me place or leaaersnip i occupy wun the citizens of this state. Threats That Were Jokes. Felder knew, as the whole world knew, that the majority of the members of your general assembly were opposed to me and my administration, this opposition mainly due to the fact that.I attempted to stay the hand of that' legislature which was continuously taking from the pockets of the taxpayers of the state their money to bestow it in an extravagant and wasteful manner. This creature threatened loudly to have me Impeached and proclaimed that he would give to that inimical legislature a "book" revealing what he termed to be "the crimes of Gov. Blease." The legislature met and remained in session for forty days. "Felder's book" became a joke, and those newspaper editors and my other prejudiced political enemies, who were waiting with impatience for me to be driven from the office you entrusted to my care, wore sore expressions on their faces and had to confess that their one time hero was a liar and a bluffer, and that Gov. Blease was an honest and upright official. But, the slanderous eruptions from the impure mind, foul mouth and slanderous pen of Tom Folder continued?and he announced that he would appear before the legislative committee in the state of South Carolina and give the facts and letters to show that I had had corrupt dealings with the old state dispensary. This appearance he put off from time to time, his action being sanctioned by the committee and he has ud to this time so far ns I am informed, not even paid your state a visit. Plenty of Money and Scoundrels. In the meantime, having determined to make some kind of "showing," and having been urged on by my enemies, and knowing that he had nothing, and could get nothing, that would be to my discredit, either as a man or as an official, Felder hit upon the plan of "making a case" against me even if he had to resort to bribery and perjury. He called to his assistance William J. Burns and his associates, who are private detectives and are always on the lookout for the dishonorable task of blackening the good reputation of some honest man or woman and blackmailing even their own employers. This crew of Felder's was put to work in South Carolina; they had instructions to dig back Into my past; to trail my footsteps and the footsteps of my relatives and friends; to inquire of every man with whom I had had business as an individual or as an official, in their endeavors to find something wrong, or ungentlemanly that I had done, and their instructions went further, that if no wrong could be found, then to make it appear that wrong had been found. Huge sums of money were given these sleuths?Felder himself admitting under oath (if his oath be worth anything) that fie gave one of these men at one time the sum of $2,000; and the Atlanta Journal, as will appear from its morning edition of July 16, is authority lor the statement that the "Investigations" made by Felder and his detectives have already cost him between $15,000 and $20,000. The Gallant Body Guard. ' After my speech at Bishopville, when it was seen that the people of South Carolina would re-elect me to the office of governor, this Felder, the legislative committee which was bowing to his every whim, and a number of my political enemies, in their desperation, decided that It would be best to bring to the attention of the people the result of their contemptible and dirty methods and matters. They realized that something had to be done to counteract the strong wave which, from the mountains to the se&coast, was rolling me once more into the leadership of my people. But Felder and his detectives would not come to South Carolina. The excuse of this coward for his refusal to come across the Savannah river was that he feared I would have him killed. This man, who for so long has proclaimed his bravery, with an array of henchmen and thugs to protect him, admitted his fear to come Into the peaceable state of South Carolina, even in the open daylight, although he knew, as all of you knew, that I did not attend the meetings of the committee, and that I had not sent and would not send any one to represent me before it Felder termed all my friends and supporters as assassins and cutthroats; he made no appeal for protection; If he had done so I should gladly have given it to him and would, with pleasure, have appointed as an escort of honor and bodyguard those brave men H. B. Carlisle, G. W. Sullivan, J. H. Clifton, F. M. Cary and J. J. Elvans, and of this gallant company I would have made W. F. Stevenson (commonly known as "Seaboard Bill") the captain. I am sure that these six men could have protected their friend, "Colonel" Felder, and had they failed in their efforts and had he been assassinated, it would have happened that the proper number of his best friends were present to have become pallbearers. In the past few days, and since he went before the committee at Augusta, one of Felder's famous detectives, the man who the newspapers say followed a daring kidnapper into the 'bad lands" of Dakota, has admitted also that he fears assassination in your state. Some may regret that this daring detective has made this confession, but I, for one, am glad, because it may tend to discourage the custom of the youths of our state to read with joy, the daring acts and courage of "Nick Carter." Felder Crowd Afraid. So. the obliging committee of the South Carolina general assembly, anxious to get "something" that would put me "In a hple." concluded that "If the mountain would not come to Mahomet, Mahomet would go to the mountain, and they left your fair larid and went to Augusta in a foreign state, at your expense to the tune of )5 per day each, to sit with wide-open ears and searching eyes, to hear and see such revelations as they hoped would blacken the name of your governor, although it disgraced their own state. Now, I want to uncloak this committee of Felder's; I want you people to know that, in addition to Felder's fears of coming to your state, bef-ause of the bribery charges against him here, he had another cause for not coming; I wish you to know why this committee of South Carolinians, misrepresentatives of the honest citizenship of your state, were willing to trail the dignity of our commonwealth in the dust at the bidding of a bribe-taker and perjurer, and this is the reason?any testimony given by Felder or any of his henchmen before that committee in the state of Georgia, however false and without foundation, would not subject the man so swearing to prosecution for perjury. Perjury is a serious crime under the laws of our state; a conviction of it results in imprisonment at hard labor, without the alternative of a fine. Felder knew that he and his hirelings were going to swear to outrageous falsehoods, and the fact of their being falsehoods, could be established without question. He knew that a jury of South Carolinians would convict any man proved guilty of falsely swearing away or attempting to swear away the good reputation of an honest man. This vile creature and this committee, a majority of its members being lawyers, knew that Felder and his gang could testify to anything they desired to swear to at Augusta and go free of the punishment for perjury, because that committee, acting under the appointment of a South Carolina body and under South Carolina laws, was not recognized by the laws of the state of Georgia, and that committee could not compel any person to appear before it in Augusta, had no power in that state to punish for conj tempt, and no power under the laws of Georgia to administer an oath and no power to bring a prosecution in that state for false swearing. I wish to remind you that, according to the Columbia State, Felder was represented at the Augusta hearing by "seven able and prominent lawyers of the state of Georgia." It took not only [ the South Carolina lawyers who were present as memners 01 mm i-umuuucc, and W. F. Stevenson of Cheraw (leader of the Jones faction in the last session of the general assembly), but Felder, although a lawyer himself, had to have the assistance of seven other lawyers, before a friendly committee, to help him bring out his maliciousand dirty fabrications. Taking Up "Charges" Separately. But what did Felder, his detectives, his lawyers and his committee do and say in Augusta? These are the matters which for several days you had displayed before you and which I shall now answer to the complete vindication of my own good name?if you have any doubt as to any good name? and to the vindication of the honor of the state we love. I have not a copy of the testimony or pretended testimony taken before the committee: this testimony has not yet beeufAiled with the secretary of state, x must take the charges and insinuations made by Felder from the newspapers. I have concluded to quote them from the Columbia State, for I am sure none of you will feel that that paper has misquoted anything or done anything that would he to my benefit, and in quoting from the acts of this newspaper I wish you to bear in mind that those reports were written by one Joe Sparks, and that Sparks is the man whom I ordered out of the governor's office last year because of his wilful misrepresentations of me. It is a hard task to cover every thing mentioned In all the stuff printed from Felder and his associates, It being so voluminous, the purpose of the men seeking to injure you and me being to say much and write much, hoping that you would believe some one thing; but, I shall endeavor to refer to every report, rumor, accusation and slander from this vile person In which he attempts to cast reflections upon me and my state. I take them up, one my one, in the following manner, submitting my answer to each of them separately. Heyward County. A most ridiculous charge is that of the "Heyward county" matter, wherein Felder claims that I called the election for the proposed county of Heyward, and after the bill passed, Fred Dominick, my former law partner, "was employed and paid a substantial fee to influence executive action thereon That the compensation received for his (Domlnick's) services was substantial, and that he obtained the desired result at my hands and that his fee was divided with me." Gov. Ansel ordered the election for "Heyward county." The legislature had nothing to do with passing a bill for that county. Some of the citizens of Aiken county applied to me for an order calling off the election which Governor Ansel had ordered, and in the matter they were represented by Col. D. S. Henderson of Aiken; R. H. Welch, Esq., of Columbia; Geo. T. Jackson, Esq., of Augusta, and Fred H. Dominick, Esq., of Newberry, representing the interests of Heyward county. Alter u ueunuK uciuic lus, < decided with the people represented by Col. Henderson and annulled Gov. Ansel's order of election?my decision being directly opposite to the side represented by Mr. Dominlck. Either of the attorneys mentioned will gladly corroborate these statements if corroboration Is desired. The records in the governor's office are open to public inspection, and those records show conclusively that Folder's charge is not only maliciously false, but laughable. "The Legislative Syndicate." The statement has been made by Felder that he had information that in the year 1900, there was a legislative syndicate in South Carolina, organized for the purpose of controlling | legislation, and that I was, or that I claimed to be, the heed of that syndicate. I ask you to inquire of the members of the general assembly at that time,'if they have now, or at that | time had, any knowledge of the existence of that syndicate. I never heard of it until this fugitive made his statement. If I did control legislation in 1900, when I was but an humble member of that body, I had more power than I had in the years 1911 and 1912, for I am sure that not even Felder, nor the members of this committee, who are following him, will charge that I had any control over your last general assembly. Postal Telegraph Company. Felder charges that in 1900 he visited Columbia for the purpose of opposing the passage of a bill affecting the Postal Telegraph company. He makes this statement: "I went down to the Jerome hotel, where Senator Cole L. Blease was stopping." He further states that in discussing the proposed legislation with me that I demanded that he "Come across with the quid pro quo (meaning money)." Without stopping to comment on Felder's admission that he was the attorney and paid lobbyist of a large corporation, I will simply state that in 1900 I was not a member of the state senate, and did not become a member of that body until the sessions of 1905, and that during all the four years I was a state senator, I stopped at Wright's hotel. If proof of these statements be desired, I refer you to the journal of the state senate for the year 1900, and to Mr. Robert Courtnay Wright of Columbia, S. C., who, during the four years I was a member of the state senate, was manager of Wright's hotel. I emphatically deny that I ever had, at any time, while a member of the state senate, or the house of representatives, any transactions or any discussions with T. B. Felder about any matters of legislation. "Bickert's Four Thousand Dollars." As to the charge that the sum of $4,000 was paid by Monroe Blckert to H. H. Evans and myself, or to Evans a. i>o, air, ne uiuu i ..? name. He continued his conversation with Mr. Parker along the same lines, but he did not mention the name. He was trying to get Mr. Parker to suggest ( some one who would influence the ] business. He did not mention the j name. I At the bottom of this is the follow- ; Ing certificate: j "I certify that the above is a true \ copy of the testimony submitted to the t commission and introduced in the case , above mentioned. 1 (Signed) "F. F. Covington.' i This shows that Parker lied, because I Smyth here testified that he heard the | conversation between Lanahan and ( Parker and that Lanahan did not \ mention the name of the agent. Park- I er swears that he did. Who is the i liar, Smyth and Lanahan or Parker? ' In addition to this, I herewith sub- i mlt copies of original affidavits which i were submitted to the senate of South I Carolina In 1905, in refutation of this | Infamous falsehood; and, in addition i thereto, the following affidavit from ] the late William G. Childs, president I of the Bank of Columbia. i in my presence in the city of Atlanta, some years ago, is a wilful falsehood. Mr. H. H. Evans fought me for election to the senate and did all he could for my opponent, Mr. Kibler of Newberry, and until some time after my election to the senate, Mr. Evans and myself were merely on speaking terms. I have never, at any time, been in the city of Atlanta with Mr. H. H. Evans, and never at any time had any transactions with him or the firm of Blumenthall & Blckert, and no amount of money whatever has ever been paid me by H. H. Evans at any time or for any service. No money has ever been paid to him, to my knowledge, for me, and if so, he has certainly never delivered it to me, and certainly no money has ever been paid him by any person or persons in my presence for any purposes, either official, unofficial, personally or professionally, as the affidavit of Mr. Evans hereto attached will show. State of South Carolina, Richland county. Personally appeared before me, H. H. Evans, who being duly sworn, says, that he resides In the city of Newberry. That the statement of T. B. Felder or any other person that the sum of $4,000 was paid over to him by Monroe Blckert in the presence of Cole L. Blease. in the city of Atlanta about the year 1905, is totally false. Deponent further says that he has not at any time, for the said Cole L. Blease or for the benefit of the said Cole L. Blease had paid to him by any person whatsoever any sum of money whatever. And deponent also says that he was never In his life in the city of Atlanta in company with Cole L. Blease. That in 1904 the deponent was against Blease In the race of the latter for the state senate from Newberry county, supporting Hon, Arthur Kibler for that position. That from that time on for about two years the deponent and Blease were not friends towards each other. H. H. Evans. Sworn to before me. the 19th day of July. 1912. B. P. Kelley, (L. S.), Notary Public for So. Ca. As to Lanahan Whisky House. Felder asserted that I represented, several years ago. Lanahan & Company, liquor dealers of Baltimore, in this state, and secured purchases for that house from the state dispensary board. This charge is hoary with age and was first made by Lewis W. Parker, the head of the mill merger which T am now fighting. The whole matter was threshed out before the dispensary investigating committee at Spartanburg about seven years ago, later in the senate of this state, and also when I was a candidate for governor in 1906, 1908 and 1910. The reports of the investigating committee referred to, will show the testimony of Mr. E. A. Smythe, taken before that committee, in which he stated that he was present at the conversation between Lanahan and Parker, at which time Parker claims Lanahan made the statement that I represented his house, and Mr. Smythe says that no such statement was made by Lanahan. Soon after Parker's statement, I published affidavits of a number of gentlemen showing conclusively that he had misrepresented both Lanahan and myself. These affidavits I submit herewith, and a statement of Mr. Smythe, taken under oath before the investigating committee. State of South Carolina?County of Richland. Personally appeared before me William G. Childs, who first being duly sworn, says that he is and has been for years a resident of the city of Columbia, county and state aforesaid, that he is the president of the Columbia, Newberry & Laurens Railroad company and of the Bank ot Columbia, S. C. That he has known Samuel Lanahan for many years and knew him quite well at the time of his death, and that he has known Cole L. Blease for many years. That he knew a good deal about the business of Lanahan In this state and that when he first heard of the statement of Lewis W. Parker connecting Cole L. Blease with said business, he knew the fact that Blease was not in any manner connected with said firm and told Blease to prepare an affidavit in answer to Parker; that he soon thereafter was in the city of Baltimore and saw Samuel Lanahan and asked him about the matter, and that Samuel Lanahan told him that Parker's statement was untrue, as he had never had Blease employed and had never at any time or place said so to Parker or any one else. That he then said that he would make affidavit to that effect and dictated an affidavit and sent for a notary and had the same signed with the official seal paying fifty cents for the notary fee. That this deponent has seen the affidavit which is now in the possession of said , Blease and has also seen the copy thereof as published In the newspapers , of this state, and that he saw the same affidavit and heard Samuel Lanahan swear to It In the nrps?nr>? of the not- i ary public In the city of Baltimore, j state of. Maryland. That this deponent knows of his own j knowledge that Cole L Blease was not I the agent of the Lanahan house In i their transactions with the state or 1 county boards of control for the sale of I whisky or otherwise. W. G.'Chllds. ( Sworn to and subscribed before me < this 18th day of June, A. D. 1909. J. F. Livingston (L. S.) 1 (Seal) Notary Public for S. C. 1 State of Maryland?City of Baltimore. * Personally came before me Samuel j J. Lanahan, who being sworn says that f he never told Lewis W. Parker, or any y other person, that Cole L. Blease was | In his employ, or was employed to look t after his interest In the whisky busl- ^ ne?H In South Carolina, and as a mat- { ter of fact he did not have Cole L. Blease so employed. Augustus W. Bradford, t (Seal) Notary Public. State of South Carolina?County of I Richland. Personally came before me Jodie M. | Rawlinson, who, being duly sworn says j that he Is a member of the state board e of directors of the South Carolina dis- < pensary and that Cole L. Blease has j never directly or Indirectly solicited r business or asked that purchases be t made from Samuel J. Lanahan or any f other party engaged in selling whisky > or other articles to the state dlspen- ( sary. Jodie M. Rawlinson. t Sworn to before me this 4th day of ? August, 1906. t W. T. Lucius (L. S.) t Magistrate for 8. C. 1 t State of South Carolina?County of j Richland. 1 Personally came before me John Black, who, being duly sworn, says that he is a member of the state board of directors of the South Carolina dispensary, and that Cole L. Blease has never directly nor Indirectly solicited business or asked that purchases be made from Samuel J. Lanahan or any other party engaged in selling whisky or other articles to the state dispensary. John Black. Sworn to before me this August 4, A. D., 1906. W. Boyd Evans (L S.) Notary Public for S. C. State of South Carolina?County of Chester. 1 Personally came before me Jos. B. Wylie, who being duly sworn, says that he is a member of the state board of directors of the South Carolina dispensary and that Cole L. Blease has never directly or indirectly solicited business or asked that purchases be made from Samuel J. Lanahan or any other party engaged in selling whisky or other articles to the state dispensary. Jos. B. Wylle. Sworn to before me this August 7, 1906. C. B. Betts (L. S.) Notary Public of S. C. State of South Carolina?County of Newberry. Personally came before me H. H. Evans, who, being duly sworn, says that he was a member of the state board of directors of the South Carolina dispensary and that during his term of service Cole L. Blease neither directly nor indirectly solicited business or asked that purchases be made i from Samuel J. Lanahan or any other l party engaged In selling whisky or < other articles to the state dispensary. ( H. H. Evans. i Sworn to before me this August 3rd, i 1906. A. T. Brown, (L. S.), t Mayor of Newberry, S. C. i State of South Carolina?County of j Lexington. Personally came before me Jno. J Bell Towill, who, being duly sworn, says that he was a member of the state board of directors of the South ' Carolina dispensary and that during ( his term of service Cole L. Blease ( neither directly nor Indirectly solicit- 1 ed business or asked that purchases be j made from Samuel J. Lanahan or any 1 other party engaged in selling whisky 1 or other articles to the state dispen- ' sary. John Bell Towill. ( Sworn to before me this August 3rd, 1906. A. C. Jones (L. S.), ( Notary Public for S. C. State of South Carolina?County of ' Kershaw. Personally came before me L. W. \ Boykln, who, being duly sworn, says that he was a member of the state j board of directors of the South Carolina dispensary, and that during his term of service Cole L. Blease neither directly nor Indirectly solicited business or asked that purchases be made from Samuel J. Larifchan or any other party engaged In selling whisky or other articles to the state dispensary. L. W. Boykin. Sworn to before me this August 4th. 1906. J. R. Alexander (L. S.), Notary Public for S. C. I have in my. possession copy of the testimony taken before the dispensary investigating committee February 13. 1908. Mr. E. A. Smyth, being duly sworn, and being examined by Mr. Stevenson, testified, In speaking of Samuel Lanahan: I had known Mr. Lanahan for some years. Q. You were associated with him in what matters? A. None at all. Q. You didn't hear him say who was the agent who he retained at a salary of 32,000 a year? j A -t ? v. ~ Vila Felder and Goodman. Felder alleges that while I was a member of the state senate, certain liquor dealers paid me $250 for fighting legislation providing for certain dispensary matters. Among his witnesses to prove this allegation he names Morton A. Goodman and J. S. Farnum. You will see by the affidavit of Mr. Farnum which I append hereto that he denies any knowledge of Felder's statement. Goodman, like Felder, is a fugitive from the Justice of the state of South Carolina, and I therefore am not In a position to offer you any affidavit from him. It may be that Felder can get one when these two fugitives shall meet again. State of South Carolina?County of Charleston. Personally comes before me James S. Farnum, who, being duly sworn, says that he has read the following in the Columbia State newspaper of July 13, 1912. "In this connection I desire to state that when Cole L. Blease was senator from Newberry and a bill was introduced to appropriate $16,000 to be used by the attorney general of the state In conducting the prosecution against the grafters, that the liquor dealers em signed by Smith D. Pickett, in which :he statement is made "Wilson further stated that the plan formulated by Blease to compass a defeat of pending eglslatlon miscarried, for the reason that Nick Block of Macon, who was ane of the syndicate, stated that the amount proposed to be raised was out >f all reason and that the same results ;ould be accomplished upon the expenditure of the sum of $2,500." Deponent says that the remarks attributed to him are entirely without my foundation in fact. That he never ased such language nor language of that import, nor any language that ;ould be so construed, and further that le never had any conversation with SVilson on the subject and that he has never either directly or indirectly been advised or had any knowledge of the iffort or the attempted effort to raise 125,000 or any other amount for the purposes stated in said letter from Smith D. Pickett to T. B. Felder. Deponent Is entirely ignorant of all the allegations set out In said letter. N. M. Block. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th day of July, 1912. (Seal) W. Hi C. Johnson, N. P. My Campaign Fund in 1910. The suggestion that the blind tigers of Charleston subscribed to my campaign fund for governor two years ago Is not original with Felder. He is simply repeating what a few unjcrupulous enemies of mine hav^ stated heretofore. I presume that if these alleged blind tigers had subscribed to the national Democratic campaign fund or to the campaign fund of Ira B. Jones, that their action would be considered patriotic and the names of such subscribers would be published at the head of the list in the Columbia State. It is a fact, however, that I have not, at any time, received from a blind tiger in Charleston a single penny for campaign purposes. Two years ago my campaign was managed by my brother, Eugene S. Blease. and by my law partner, Fred H. Dominlck. I submit affidavits of these gentlemen to the effect that they never received for me. or for my campaign. the sum charged by Felder as having been subscribed by parties set out by him. pioyea me saia mease, men a senator, to oppose the passage of said measure; and, as a matter of fact, the said Blease did oppose by speech, vote and Influence the passage of said resolution, and that he received for his services the sum of $250 in cash, which was paid to him at Wright's hotel in the city of Columbia, state of South Carolina," and that I had knowledge )f said transaction. The statement thai deponent has knowledge of any such transaction Is 'alse. That deponent has heretofore made iffldavlt replying to charges made by his same Felder, and In this affidavit rie desires to, and does reiterate, the itatements made In the former affidavit, and further avers that he has lever, at any time, given or contrlbu:ed any amounts "towards buying votes In Charleston for Blease," or my other person or persons. (Signed) J. S, Farnum. Subscribed and sworn to before me :hls 20th day of July, 1912. (Signed) H. Wllkins, (L. S.) Notary Public for S. C. Stocking the Investigating Committee. Another absurd effort to do me lnustlce Is the charge, made without iny attempt at proof, that I obstructed the proceedings of the legislative :ommittee investigating the state dis>ensary. This charge Is not only a eflection on me, but it reflects upon :he other members of that committee, tome of whom are not friendly to me. Vs a matter of fact, I was the author >f the resolution which provided for hat Investigation. The record of my ?ervlces as a member of that commlt:ee, and the report made to the general Lssembly, will show that there is absoutely no truth In Felders statement elatlve thereto. This matter is repeItion, and I disposed of it in my first ace for governor six years ago.. "Statement of Charlton Wright" The statement Is made by Felder hat Charlton Wright stated in the :ity of Columbia that he handed me, n the ante-room of the senate cham>er, a check for $500 as compensation 'or my services In defeating a bill af'ecting the interests of the railroads. I have never, at any time, received iny sum from Charlton Wright or iny other ipan for services rendered my individual or corporation as a nember of the general assembly. The tame Issue of the paper in which this :harge of Felder appeared, the Coumbia State of July 13, 1912, carries a lenlal from Mr. Wright, in these words "Denies Bribery Charge. "R. Charlton Wright of Columbia, who is quoted in the documentary evilence submitted by T. B. Felder to the lispensary Investigating committee as laying that he gave $500 to Cole L. 31ease for blocking some railroad legslation In the senate, denied last night ;nai ne naa ever given rsiease un? ur iny other sum or that he had ever told my one that he had done so. Mr. Wright on account of an urgent ;all to New York, left the city- that lay; however, I presume the committee will not care to have any further itatement1 from Mr. Wright since he Is 10 prominently connected with the Coumbla Record, one of the newspaper :ombfnatlon opposing me, and as his lenial appeared so conspicuously In :hat Sheet which the committee Is so 'ond of reading. The $25,000 Slueh Fund. The insinuation contained In a purported copy of a letter of one Pickett :o Felder, which It is stated that Feller produced before the committee, :hat certain liquor dealers were to raise the sum of $25,000 to be turned over to ne as a member of the state senate, md that a syndicate, to be composed of nyself and Mr. Block and others, was to be formed to control the entire 11]uor business of the state dispensary, 8 an entire fabrication Those who lave read this letter should note the 'act that the alleged original has not t>een placed before the committee and that even In the alleged copy Fickett loes not make these statements of his [>wn knowledge, but states that they tvere made to him by another party, md no affidavit has been taken from that other party. I submit herewith the affidavit of Mr. Block, denying that there Is any truth In the statements credited by Pickett to Wilson. Jeorgla, Bibb County: Before me, an officer duly authorized to administer oaths, personally came N. M. Block, who being first duly sworn in oath, says that he has read In the State, a paper published In Columbia, 3. C., under date of July 13th, 1912, the eport of what purports to be a letter . ~ rn T~> Atlanta /"lo/trcHa. ftnd State of South Carolina?County of Richland. Personally comes before me Fred H. Domlnlck and makes oath that during the year 1910 he was connected with the management of Gov. Cole L. Blease's campaign; and as to the charges that any amounts were contributed by the alleged blind tigers of Charleston and used in the furtherance of Mr. Blease's candidacj. this deponent has no knowledge whatsoever; that he has never received one cent from any blind tigers as contributions to Mr. Blease's campaign, and that if such a fund was contributed, he has never received same and never used same nor has he any knowledge of it ?the first intimation he having had'of this charge being the charges as made by Thomas B. Felder. As to the charge of his having gone to Charleston between the first and second primaries, after Gov. Blease had already been there and got a suit case full of money, and when that ran out, that I went there and got another suit case full, the charge is absolqtely false. I have never received and nev er made any requests for any campaign contributions from any blind tigers in Charleston. Fred H. Dominick. Sworn to before me this 19th July, 1912. Q. C. Dlsmukes, (L. S.) Notary Public for South Carolina. State of South Carolina?County of Richland. Eugene S. Blease, being duly sworn, says that during the campaign of 1910 he assisted Fred H. Dominick in conducting the campaign of Cole L. Blease for governor of the state. Deponent did not, at any time, and has never in his life, for any purpose whatever received any sum of money from any blind tiger in the city of Charleston. Eugene S. Blease. Sworn to before me this 19th Jtaly, 1912. C. C. Dlsmukes, (L. S.) Notary Public for South Carolina. Trip to Charleston. The statement of Felder that I went to Charleston for the purpose of getting money during the time Intervening between the first and second primaries of the campaign two years ago, Is but another example of this man's quickness to make statements without even reflecting. During the whole of the two weeks between the two elections, with the exception of one day and one night spent in the city of Columbia, I remained at home In Newberry. I was not In Charleston between the first and second primaries. "Grace's Insinuations." . As to the statements that I have been and am getting graft from the blind tigers of Charleston as immunity for protection extended them. This originated with John P. Grace, the present mayor of Charleston, on account of my not allowing him to have the control and appointment of the constabulary force in Charleston, and to run the matter of enforcing the dispensary law and the sale of whisky In that city. The investigating committee has already heard him and his attempted proof and the people surely are convinced that there is no foundation in any one of "his charges." Each and every one of his false accusations have been denied?even my bitterest enemy, the Columbia State, admitted that there was no criminality traced to the governor s office. I answered Grace's Insinuations at the campaign meeting in the city of Charleston and stated in his presence that any man who made that accusation against me was a malicious character thief and cowardly liar. - - , Interurban Railway. In regard to my. signing the bill for the Piedmont-Northern company, commonly known as the interurban. This bill, as passed by the legislature, provided for the building of an electric line, around Spartanburg, Greenville. Greenwood and other points in this state. I thought it contained too much power to give to a corporation, and after carefully looking over it, stated that I did not think I would sign it I received requests from a number of people of that section, stating that the road would be of great benefit to them. Among others calling upon me in favor of the measure, I now recall Hon. D. H. Magill of Greenwood; D. E. Smoak. Esq., of Greenville, and Sam J. Nichols, Esq., of Spartanburg. I did not receive one cent of money for approving this measure, nor was I threatened by any one on account of this Mil, and if any lawyer received a fee for appearing before me in behalf of the bill, it was without my knowledge, and the payment of any such fee, if any was paid, exercised no influence whatever in causing me to take the action I did thereon. Some of the very members of the committee who are attempting to injure me, were very active in the passage of this bill. Ths Criminals?"Do Ford and Porter." In regard to the matter of application for pardon for one alleged to be Gus DeFord, which petition has played such a prominent part in the dictagraph proceedings had between Capt Sam J. Nichols and one Porter, alias Reed, alias somebody else?I don't know what his name is,?I will state, in the first place, this great, detective, with a great flourish of trumpets, stated that he had gone into the South Carolina penitentiary and had picked out not only the most notorious criminal In that prison, but the most notorious criminal in the United States of America, in order to plant a scheme to trap me and my friend, Capt. Nichols. Gus DeFord is not in the penitentiary; but. on the other hand, is a fugitive from Justice. It is hardly necessary for me to refer to this matter, in view of the testimony that was submitted by their own witnesses and their famous dictagraph, in which it was shown that there was no truth whatsoever in the alleged statement of Felder and his hireling detective that I was to receive any portion of the amounts that were to be paid to the attorney who had been employed to represent this alleged Gus DeFord. On the contrary, this very dictagraph it- ; self stated that the governor of South Carolina could not be bought and that it was useless to attempt to get the pardon from the governor of South Carolina by the use of money. In addition to this, you have the sworn testimony of Capt Nichols, a young man wen Known mrougnoui ooum unrwinn as a man of the highest honor and Integrity, who not only voluntarily came to Columbia to testify, but insisted that a meeting of the committee should be had at which he could testify and at which meeting he demanded the presence of Porter, alias Reed, alias what's his name, but the "alias" failed to appear. Capt. Nichols' testimony was published practically in full and conclusively established the fact that I had no knowledge that any application for the pardon of Gus DeFord would be presented and that I was not even aware that this convict was In the penitentiary. The matter of pardon of this convict was never mentioned to me, and Capt. Nichols so states under oath. This testimony was published in the Columbia State, in it's Issue of July 19. The Bentley Parole. It Is stated in the State that two letters purporting to bear on the pardon record of Gov. Rlease were read by Felder before the committee and that the case referred to in those two letters was being investigated by the Burns detective agency. The first letter, it is stated, is on the letter paper of Lyon & Lyon, attorneys at law, of Dubuque, Iowa. It does not appear to whom thi9 letter is addressed, but It is signed "Geo. T. Lyon,' and refers to a letter written to "Miss Bentley" and speaks of the fact that a draft "sent payable to the governor has never been cashed." The second letter, addressed to "Dear Frank," Is signed by "Nettie," and states that "when the governor asked to have the money sent to him, you would think he had made up his mind as to what he wanted to do. We have heard nothing from him." These letters pertain to the parole granted to Prank W. Bentley, a young white man sent to the penitentiary from Richland county for the crime of forgery. The petition for pardon was presented to me by Barrett Jones, Esq., of Batesburg, S. C. I refused to pardon Bentley, but on the showing made, on May 14, 1912, I paroled him on the condition that he leave the state. Bentley's crime was the forging of two checks by which he obtained $10 from Mr. Ben David of Columbia and $25 from Mr. J. Flannigan, formerly of Columbia. Both Mr. Flannigan and Mr. David, as well as Solicitor Timmerman the prosecuting attorney, requested executive clemency. Mr. John Nelll, a member of the company whose signa ture was forged, also requested me to release him. Bentley was formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, where his mother and sister. Nettle, now live. The sister had Attorney George T. Lyon Interested in iixt; mauw ui iwunng /vuuf oenwey 8 release, and Mr. Lyon stated In a letter to me that he was getting no compensation for his services, but was interested in the matter because of his friendship for the Bentley family; that the Bentleys were gopd' people and that Bentley had botoeran excellent reputation at his old home". Mr. Lyon sent me a draft for 926 for the purpose of furnishing transportation for Bentley from Columbia to Dubuque, and to carry out the conditions of the parole. I have in my office a receipt from Bentley for the amount of the draft, and Mr. W. P. If Blackburn, stenographer In my office, went to the depot, purchased a ticket from Columbia to Dubuque, at a cost of 124.66, and gave the ticket and the remaining 46 cents to Bentley, and showed him the train to take for his home, which he boarded. All the correspon lenje in regard to this matter is on file in the governor's office, open to the inspection of any one who wishes to see it I submit two letters received from Attorney Lyon and the affidavit of Mr. Blackburn. (Copy.) Lyon 4b Lyon. D. E. Lyon Geo. T. Lyon, City Attorney. Attorneys at Law. Suite 1, 2. 2, 4. 6. First National Bank Building. Dubuque, Iowa, August 14, 1911. Alex. Rowland, Columbia, S. C. Dear Sir: Tour favor of August 11 at hand and I note with pleasure the proposed action of the governor and sincerely hope he finds merit in the young man's petition this time. r am inclosing herewith a New York draft for 926 to cover railroad fare, this I believe will cover fare from Columbia to Dubuque, but should you require more so advise ma I will guar* an tee to use my best endeavors to keep Bentley from returning to your state, that of course, is the best I can do. I feel safe in saying, however, that he will be satisfied to stay around home hereafter. Miss Bentley is at present on her vacation she left feeling very sad over contents of your last letter to me. If it is possible I would greatly appreciate favorable action during her absence as it would do gronders for her. Her absence explains this writing as I do not care to dictate to another. Call upon me for anything further you may desire and please advise me early of the governor's action. Tours very truly, (Signed) Geo. T. Lyon. (Copy). Lyon & Lyon. D. E. Lyon. Geo. T. Lyon. City Attorney. Suite 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 First National Bank Building Dubuque, Iowa, May 9, 1912, Hon. Coleman L. Blease, Columbia S. C. Dear Sir: I wish to again call your attention to the petition for pardon of Frank W. Bentley, which ha* been pending before you for a long time and which you have not finally disposed of as far as I know, and also call your attention to the fact that I sent you in August last, at your request, draft for 926 to cover his expenses from Columbia to his home here, which you still have in your possession. This boy has now served about four years for the commission of, as, we believe, a slight offense which was committed under extenuating circumstances, and it seems to me has been more than punished for the act. The man whose name was forged has no ill feeling towards him and would like to see him released. I hope you can find Justification in granting him a pardon in the very near future. Hoping to hear from you at an early date with a favorable reply, I am, Yours very truly, (Signed) Geo. T. Lyon. GTL-B. State of South Carolina, county of Richland. Personally appeared W. F. Blackburn, who, being duly sworn, says that he is employed as stenographer in the governor's office, South Carolina, by Gov. Cole L. Blease, and has been so employed since the 26th day of January, 1911; that a petition for the pardon or parole of one Frank W. Bently was filed in the governor's office in March, 1911, by Barrett Jones; that pardon was refused by Gov. Blease on March 31, 1911; that subsequently, to wit, on May 26th, 1911, Mr. Geo. T. Lyon, attorney at law of the city of Dubuque, Iowa, communicated with Gov. Blease in regard to a pardon or parole of said Bentley; that on August 11th, 1911, Mr. Lyon was advised that the governor had taken up for consideration the petition of said Bentley and wished to be advised, In the event favorable action be taken in the case. If he (Lyon) would pay Bentley's way to his home in Iowa; that on August 14th, 1911, Mr. Lyon forwarded to the governor a New York draft for $26 to be used for the purpose of paying Bentley's railroad fare from Columbia. S. C., to Dubuque, Iowa? all of said letters and Information being upon file in the governor's office to my personal knowledge. This matter was held under consideration and InvoaHffoflnn until M&V 14. 1912, when the governor paroled said Frank W. Bentley, upon the condition that he leave the state of South Carolina within 24 hours. and never return The above mentioned draft being made payable to Oov. Blease was indorsed by him; turned over to me and Bentley met me at the Columbia union station, in the city of Columbia; I purchased a ticket from Columbia, S. C., to Dubuque. Iowa, for the sum of $24.55, giving in payment therefor the above mentioned check; the ticket agent gave me the ticket and 45 cents in change, I turned over the said ticket and the said 45 cents to Bentley, went down on the platform, point- . ed out to him the train he should take and he boarded it and left the city of Columbia. I also prepared and Bentley signed the following receipt: Columbia, S. C., May 14, 1912. "Received of Hon. Cole L. Blease, governor of South Carolina, check No. 406452 from the First National bank of Dubuque, Iowa, on the National Fark bank. New York, for twenty-five dollars, dated August 14th, 1911. (Signed) "F. W. Bentley." The original receipt is on file in the governor's office. (Signed) W. F. Blackburn. Sworn to before me this 19th day of July. A. D. 1912. (Signed) G. C. Dlsmukes (L. S.) Notary Public for South Carolina. Pardon of Rudoiph Rabens. The accusation is made that somebody told somebody else that as governor, in consideration of the sum of $2,000 paid to me, I granted a pardon to one H. Rudolph Rabens of Charleston. My reasons for granting this pardon are set forth on page 46 of the statement of Pardons, Paroles and . Commutations, 1911-1912, as follows: (Continued on Fourth Page.)