Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GRACE INTERVIEWED IN CHARLESTON Reiterates Charges Against Governor lilease and Says He Will Co After Him with the Hark Off. (By J. M. Haynle of Chronicle Staff.) Charleston, S. C, June 17.?"I have absolute, unmistakable and unim peachable evidence of grafting In Charleston county by the state con stables, and will be ready to present it tomorrow when I face the Investi gating committee In Columbia," is what Hon. John P. Grace, mayor of Char leston, and the man upon whom the eyes of the people of South Carolina are focussed at present in connection with the latest "Please controversy," said to me today. Mayor Grace was very free to talk about the case this morning when seen by a special representative of The Chronicle, but he declined to use names at this time, saying the case may be postponed tomorrow. Went Into Graft Quick. "I will say that the grafting by the 'Chief Dispensary Detective' began in less than a week after he received his commission, and that commission was tendered him over the protest of my self and a large number of Charles ton's best citizens. I have evidence which I will submit to the committee tomorrow which will show that her in less than a week after taking his oath, demanded and was paid $2,500 by one of the dealers in Charleston. This is not hearsay, for the person who paid the money came to me at the time to get my advice. I told him I would not give him any advice; that he could do as he plnsed. He then told me that he had his customers to look nfter, and had a family to take care of. and he left my office to pay the 'hold-up money." The Governor's Emissary. "I also have evidence that an emis sary of Governor Please was In Char leston the next day to see Mr. Stothart, and they had a 'conference.' "I have never said that I had direct evidence to connect the governor him self with any of the grafting, or with reeclvlng any of the graft money, and I don't make any such charge at this time, but I do renew my charge that 'I have practically traced the grafting to the governor himself.' "We protested against the appoint ment of Pen Stothart as a dispensary constable in this county, and when the governor was about to make the ap point men t I wrote to him, and also I went to Columbia to see him, and held a conference with him in Charleston, and each time he said he would not appoint anyone here, but would leave the situation locally to the local peo ple. From Blcuse's Own Mouth. "It was not until after he had been to Charleston, on February 22, and had made a speech and returned to Co lumbia, that I got it from Blease's own Hps over the long distance telephone, that he was going to make the ap pointment. He said at that time that he was going to appoint Stothart 'chief state detective at a salary of $200 per month, the salary to come out of his own private funds'. This was the statement he made to me, although I did not know at the time, nor do I know now, of any law providing for such an offleer. I was also informed by Governor Blease that Stothart was not to operate in Charleston county, but waa to go from place to place over the entire state. "In less than a week after he had received his commission Stothart was going about the streets of Charleston with a wagon, and was visiting the places of local people. There were a number of deputy constables sent here, and they too, were, very busy. It was at this time that I first heard of his first attempt to graft. Plenty of Witnesses. "I will have plenty of witnesses, and any number of them, who will testify that the constables, both the "Chief" and the deputies, have been making regular monthly collections from the people here in Charleston. All this will be placed before the committee, and the evidence will be unmistakable find convincing. The money has been grafted from both the retailers and wholesalers, nnd I have affidavits and other evidence to bear out my case." "Those Human Vampires." Mayor Grace has in his possession a letter, which he has received from a local person of good reputation, but whose name he will not permit used ( at present, which contains the follow ing, among other things: "I want to say that being thorough ly familiar with the conditions?I would be gl.id to render you any as sistance or testimony that would be of service to you?I collected some of the money that those human vampires and bloodsuckers forced those poor people to pay." The evidence which will be submit ted is voluminous and promises to form some very interesting reading for the next few days for the people of South -Carolina. Mayor Grace is determined to make out his case, and he certainly seems to "have the evi dence." While the genial mayor of Charles ton has been appointed a "kernel" on the governor's staff, the reporter of The Chronicle was shown the unopen ed package containing his flashy uni form, which Is the main thin?; about being a "Colonel" on the governor's staff. Mayor Grace leaves tonight for Co lumbia and goes prepared to hand out some "hot shots" to his once political bed-fellow. He says he is going after his former friend with the bark off, and expects to prove every charge he has made. ENROLLING COMMITTEES. Separate Comlmtte for Each District In Laurens Township. The following Is a list of the enroll ing committees to enroll the democrat ic voters of the several School Districts of Laurens township. No. 1?J. D. W. Watts, J. F. Owings, A. B. Barks 1 lie. No. 2?B. Y. Culbert?>n, I?. \V, Fin ley, Geo Brown, Jr. No. 3?Ben W. V 'ams, Austin Bramlett, C. C. Cradd. :. No. 4?B. B. Blaketey, Furman L. Brown, Whit W, Adair. No. 5.?-Arthur Riddle, Tom B. Chlldress, John D. Mills. No. 6?R. O. Hairston, S. iL Sloan, T. Reld Blakeley. Laurens Special- -D. C. Barksdale. Calhoun McGowan, ft. u */)lff. The committee In eacli 'ilstrh'.t is requested to prepare a complete roll of the voters of the district, and hand same to the Secretary of Club No. 1, W. C. Irby, Jr., or to W. T. Crows. Every voter Is urged to land his name to some member of the lommlt. tee in his school district. O. G. Thompson, President Club No. 2. The enrolling committees, as ap pointed by School Districts and an nounced above, will please hand In names of all voters, desiring to be en rolled on Club Roll No. 1, to the Secretary, Alison Lee. J. 13. Brooks, President Club No. 1. Sec us for extra fruit jar rubbers and tops. S. M. & E. H. Wllkes A Co. HOT TIMES BEGUN I IN CONVENTION CITY Tuft aud Roosevelt Forces Nominate Candidates for Chairman of Con vention. Convention Hall( Chicago, June 18. ?AmidHt the clamor oi yells from rival factions and fmndly shouts of state delegations, the nitecntu. repub lican national convention began its history making course at noon today. There was none of the disorder that hud been feared. A few minutes after Chairman Rosewater's gavel had crash eded summons to the delegates quiet had been obtained and Chaplain Cal lahan had repeated his prayer. The chairman presented the name of Elihu Root of New York for tem porary chairman. Mr. Cochems of Wisconsin, in oppo sition, nominated Governor McQovern of Wisconsin for temporary chairman. Job Hedges of New York, second ing Root's nomination, quoted ?. complimentary tribute that Roosevelt once paid Mr. Root. This caused great amusement. Hadley followed IIedr.es to second McGovern's nomi nation, and there w&b loud and pro longed cheering. Governor Johnson of California also seconded McGovern. In ruling on a point of order against Hadley's motion, Kosewiiter said: "The chairman has had this ques tion under advisement for several days, and has consulted many men of better parliamentary knowledgo than himself. I wish to have read a state ment discussing this question and then 1 will give my ruling." The statement was a decision of precedents cited by Hadley and Fort. At the conclusion of the ruling Had ley 8ttinding not more than ten feet away shouted: % "I appeal from the decision of the chair," and "I move the motion he laid on the table." shouted Watson. The convention was in an uproar, but Rosewater was not perturbed. He declared both out. of order. "The only duty 1 now have to per form," be said, "is to present the name of Elihu Root, a delegate from the state of New York, for temporary chairman. Are there any other nom inations?" "Mr. Chairman," shouted Hadley. Hang" went the gavel. Directly order enough was restored for the nomination of McGovern. Scarcely had ihe convention been called to order when Roosevelt went to his room In his hotel, where & pri vate telephone to the Coliseum bad been Installed, and by this method took personal command of his forces on the convention floor. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF COUNTY HOSPITAL The First Your has been a Very Suc cessful One from Many Standpoints. To Wie Editor of The Advertiser: The Laurens County Hospital has just completed Us first year of work, and I feel the people of the county will be glad to know what we have done in this time. We have had ninety patients; fifty six surgical, ten fever, five obstetrical and nineteen general medical cases. Lost by death three surgical, one fev er, one case of Brlght's and one child two hours after admission. The Hospital has paid lt.. current expenses and for - all its equipment We feel very much gratified with our first year and appreciate the help we have received from the King's Daugh ters and the Masons who have each, a free bed here. Also, the Laurens Telephone Company who generously gave free telephone service, the city free lights and water,, and to all our friends for the private donations sent In. We wish to thank the doctors of the county for their support and to assure them and all our kind patrons that we are always ready to give our best efforts to the canse of helping suffering humanity. During the year we have had quite a number of visiting usrgeons: Dr. Prior from Chester, Dr. Knowlton from Columbia, Dr. Guerry from Co lumbia, Dr. Jervey and Dr. C. B. Karle of Greenville*. We ask the people of the county to continue their support and help to make their county hospltnl one of which they can be proud. I remain, Most respectfully, Julia M. Irby. Superintendent. Three Operations Performed. Dr. Knowlton, of Columbia, came up to the County Hospital Thursday ev ening and performed operations upon Misses Mittle Owings, Sadie Sullivan and Lila Hart. All of the patients are now Improving steadily and will soon be able to return to their homes. Mrs. Luther Flnley, of Madden, was also operated upon several days ago and is now on the road to recovery. THE Oltl'HKANS Vocal and Instrumental Entertainer* for June 24 GREAT JUNE CHAUTAUQUA Consisting of Six Highly Entertaining Attractions LAUREN5, S. C. ======= BEGINNING ===== June 22d and Ending June 28th ATTRACTIONS JUNE 22d. Prof. Pamahasika's /Trained Dogs, Ponies and Birds. JUNE 24th. Orphean Musical Club, Vocal Quartetts, Horn Quartetts, Solos Illustrated Songs and Imper sonations. JUNE 25th. Price Concert Company,Violin, Cornet, Cello, Guitar and Piano and Orchestral Feature. Season Tickets on Sale Now. ATTRACTIONS JUNE 26th. Clarence L. Burgderfer and his Company of mirth Provo kers, an evening full of fun and pleasure. JUNE 27th. Trier Sisters, Concert and Opera Quintette. JUNE 28th. Miss Evelyn Bargelt, Car toonist and Reader. Season Ticket, Single - $2.00 I Season Ticket, Double - $3.50 * Single Attraction, - - 50cts All Entertainments at Night Beginning at 8:30. Every Attraction a Leader of Its Kind. Be Sure to Come!