The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-02-18
CHARGED THAT BLEASE
WAS LANAHAN'S AGENT
ALLEGED CONVERSATION WITH
S. J. LANAHAN.
Related Before Dispensary Commits
sion by Messrs. L. w. Parker
and E. A. Smythe.

In the consideration OF the claim OF
Lanahan & Co., on Thursday, by the
dispcnsary commission Mr.. Lewis w.
Parker testified that Mr.. IS. J. Lam
ahan had told him in Baltimore in
1905 that ne had employed Senator
Bleasc, Of Ncwberry, as his represent
tativc in this State. Capt. E. A.
Smythe was also examined as to
the conversation.
Mr.. Blease says the assertion that
he was employed by Lanahan is false
and has an affidavit from Mr.. Lana
han to this effect, which he used in
his campaign last summer.
Mr.. Lanahan died some time ago.
There were insinuations in this col
nection before, and it was as a re-
suit of these insinuations that Mr..
Bleasc procured the affidavit from
Mr.. Lanahan, which nc used on the
stump in his gubernatorial campaign.
Elsewhere in The Herald AID News
today is given Mr.. Blcase's side Of
the affair.
Following is copy Of the Lanahan
affidavit and the stenographic report
of the testimony of Mr.. Parker and
Capt. 'Smythe:
Lanahan's s Denial.
The following affidavit was read
by Senator Blease at the campaign
meeting at Union on August II, 1906:
Personally came before me Samuel
J. Lanahan who, being sworn, says
that he never told Lewis w. Parker
or any other person that Cole. l..
Bleasc was in his employ or was en-
ployel to look after his interest in
the whiskcy business in South Caro-
lima; and as Il matter Of fact ne did
not have Cole. l.. Blease so employ
ed.
Augustus w. Bradford.
Notary Public.
Capt. f.. A. Smythe and Mr.. Lewis
w. Parker, who had been subpocnacd
to appear before the commission, ap-
peared and testified.
l.. w. Parker, after being duly
sworn testified. Examined by MIR.
Stevenson:
Q-Did YOU know Mr.. S. J. Lana
han?
Al did sir.
Q.-Were you summoned before
the commission that investigated the
State dispcnsary?
Al was, sir.
Q.--Do you recall the substance of
what you then stated?
Al do. in a general way. | have
not seen the testimony since that day.
Q-Mr. Parker, do you remember
the statement that Mr.. Lanahan had
found that Mr.. Boykin was not Civ
ing him, as he supposed, a fair deal,
and that he subsequently employed
another agent in South Carolina?
A.--That was, in effect, the state
ment.
Q.-Did he tell you who that agent
was? =.
A.-Hc told me that he had en-
ployed a certain agent, and he told
me who that agent was
Q.-Who was heq
A.-Before [ answer that question
I would like to submit TO this COM
mission, as a matter of discretion,
whether it is advisable for me to ans
wcr that question. | nave no desire
to hide anything, a;rl no desire to
protect any citizen; at the same time,
wish to say in justice to all parties
that I have no information except
the general statement Of Mr.. Lana
han as to the character and promi-
nencc given that party. I recognized
the ruling Of the supreme court in
the former ease as to the right Of this
commission to go into that matter,
and I ask the ruling Of this commits
sion as to whether they require me
to give it; if they require ii, or
course I will do so.
The commission ruled that Mr..
Parker be required to give the name
Of The agent employed by Mr.. Lana
han, and all that Mr.. Lanaban said