The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-02-18

MIR. L. W. Parker SWears That S. J.
Lanahan Told Him That He Had
Employed Senator Blease to Re-
present His Firm Before the State
Board of Contr0l.-Blcase Read an
Affidavit from Lanahan Denying 1t.
Testimony which the Legislative
Investigating committee of 1906 de-
clined to bring out was developed by
the commission to wind up the
affairs of the State dispensary
at Columbia on Thursday when
Messrs. Lewis w. Parker and Ellison
A Smyth were put on the stand and
related conversation with Mr.. S.
j. Lanahan, of Baltimore, in 1905,
in regard to the employment of a
prominent politician" to represent
the Lanahan firm before the State
board Of control. Mr.. Parker said
that Lanahan in prior conversation,
when Capt. Smyth was not present
had said that Hon. Coleman l..
Blease was the agent referred to.
1t is understood that Mr.. Blease,
who is now and has for four years
been State Senator from Newberry,
and who was candidate for Governor
year before last, has an affidavit
from Mr.. Lanahan denying that Mr..
1 Lanahan made the statement attrib-
uted to him. He said that he had
read it during the campaign last sum-
mer on the strmp at Union, and that
it was published at that time. He
showed the original affidavit, which
he has kept pinned in his inside
pocket.
Those familiar with the dispensary
investigations will recall that two
years ago the Legislative committee
to investigate the dispensary sum-
moncd Mr.. Parker to appear and he
realted in substance the conversation
with Mr.. Lanahan, but when pressed
by Mr.. Lyon to give the name OF the
prominent politician he declined to
do so. AS Mr.. Parker challenged the
power Of the committe to make him
answer, a case on habeas corpus pro-
ceedings was brought in the Supreme
Court and the Court decided that
the committee had the authority to
require Mr.. Parker to answer ITS
uuestiors. But the committee decid-
ed not to exert its authority and MT.
Parker did not answer the question.
It has been common knowledge,
however, that the suppressed name
of the alleged agent Of Lanahan was
that of Senator Blease, and this
knowledge evidently reached Senator
Blease himself, as he took the pre-
caution to get an affidavit from Lam
ahan, and It is fortunate that he dld,
since Mr.. Lanahan died about two
weeks ago. The commission to wind
up the State dispensary had already
summoned MIR. Lanahan.
When they testified Thursday Mr..
Parker and Capt Smyth made it PLAIN
that they did so unwillingly and on
ly yielded to the recognized authorlty
of the commission, which has the
same authority as the Legislative
committee as decided by the Supreme
Court
II is not worth while to say VINO
Messrs. Parker and Smyth are; they
are the leading two cotton mill men
in South Carolina, and their char
acters and regulations need no Dois-
tering.
The Lanahan Affidavit.
Following is the affidavit read by
Senator Blease at the campaign meet
ing in Union on August II, 1906.
State of Maryland, City OF Baltl-
more came before me
Samuel ]. Lanahan, who, being, duly
sworn. says that he never told Lewis
w Parker, or any other person, tnat
Cole L. Blease was in his employ
to look after his interest in the WINS
kew business in South Carolina anu
as q matter of fact, he did not nave
Cole l.. Blease so employed.
Augustus w. Bradford,
fNot.rv seaD Notary Public.
Mr.. Blease also read at the Union
meeting atIidavits from Jodle M.
Rawlinson. John Black, Jos. b. wy
lie, H H Evans, John Bell Towlll ana
r, w. Boykin, dated either August
2. 1906, or August i, 1906, ana each
Of which stated that during the al
Gant's term of service as director OF
The State dispensary Cole i. iilcase
neither directly or indirectly soilci'ed
business or asked that purchases DC
,,,do from Samuel J. Lanahan or any
other person engaged in selling "l!S-
l,cy or other articles to the St"te us
pcnsary.