The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-02-18
SENATOR BLEASE ON
PARKER TESTIMONY
DENIES HE WAS
EMPLOYED BY I,ANAHAN,
Reads Affidavits In State Senate and
Charges A Political Con-
spiracy.

senator BlcaSe. OF Ncwberrv, arose
on Friday in The State senate to a
question of personal privilege and
made SOME remarks regarding the
testimony given on Thursday before
the State dispensary commission by
MeSsrs. Lewis w. Parker and f.. A.
Smythe to the effect that he had been
employed by Lanahan e. Son TO rep
resent them before the former board
OF directors Of the State dispensary.
by unanimous consent of the SEN
ate he was allowed to Incorporate his
remarks with accompanying at1dav-
its, etc, in the senate journal.
While speaking he held copy Of
the News and Courier in his hand and
a copy Of the State lay upon his desk.
He said:
"I wish to ask the senate to allow
TO be published in the journal five af-
filavitS which I hold.
Just before the campaign Of 1906,
Mr. President, the report was circu-
lated that one in the employ Of the
State was an agent for liquor house
| had not any idea in the world, sir,
that that meant me, and I never
thought so until Senator Tilman, rid
ing on a railroad train one day, was
asked the positive question as to who
he referred to, and he said to this
gentleman, whom I suppose he
thought was a very intimate friend
Of his and not friend Of mine, that
Blcase was the man whom ne meant.
"I Immediately sat down and
wrote to the different gentlemen and
asked if il was true, and if il was
moi true TO send me an affidavit. |
read those allidavits at Union at the
campaign meeting two Years ago.
",JnSt after the opcnin" of this
campaign this year. just after 7 had
had something" TO say about Mr..
Avery Patton along with this wind
in%-up commission, again this mat
tor is brought up. The governor is
from Grccnville, Mr.. Avery Patton.
of the winding-up commission. is
from Greenville, both of the witness
cs arc from Grecnville, the cores
ronIcnt of the News and Courier is
from Greenvillc. Right at the open
ing OF this campaign Of 1908 here
comes the governor with his-I want
to be mild and want TO be poitc-his
witnesses and his appointec, Patton,
Of the winding up commission, all
from Grcenville."
The president Of the senate: "Just
in order TO keep the record straight.
does the senator rise to qustion of
personal privilegc?'
Senator Blease: eyes, sir.D
"And il addition to that, a news
paper correspondent from Grecnville
and if it aini Il political conspir-
acy | have never seen one-a news
paper reporter from Grecnville coun-
ty making his report. and the report
comes out headed, TBlcasc Hired by
I,iquor Housc9' They put ques-
ton mark after that, and it is well
that they did.
"Now, Mr.. President. 7 want to
thank The Columbia State once in my
life for being fair. honest and
straight forward in this transactions:
not only the correspondent il this
chamber, but the man who is in
charge Of that Office. with the way il
is put i'll the paper, this morning.
Blcasc is alleged to have been the
man.
"I am not afraid Of this matter.
Mr.. President. because 7 have never
represented any whiskcy house in my
life in The capacity of a sales agent.
and the people Of South Carolina.
after this thin" was circulated and
when had hardly time to answer il,
gave me nearly $4,000 votes for GOV
crnor, and this summer Governor
NAscl will answer to those people for
he conspiracy between him ana his
Grccnvillc allies and newspaper cor
respondents. Tie will not only ans
wcr politically, but he will also ans