The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1911-02-02
IS DISMISSED BY GOV. BLEASE FOR
POLITICAL REASONS"
WRITES A DIGN|FIED REPLY
Miller Alleges That He Was Drop
ped ny Blease Because He Has
Opposed the Governor Po-
liticauy.

| lhe resignation OF ThOmaS r. Mill
Ter, the president o. the State ne
gro college, which is located at Or
angeburg. He asked Miller to re-
sign within "a hours. This action
was taken without a resolution of
the board of trustees which was in
session at the time in the office of
the chief executive. Following the
action by Gov. Blease, the board of
trustees passed resolution asking
Miller to resign Immediately, and
the negro resigned.
Gov. Blease, when asked on what
grounds he had asked the resigna-
tion of Miller, said, "Pernicious ac-
tirity in politics.
Just what the activities have been
and along what lines were not
stated. He further stated that
complaints had been made to him
by negroes in the State as to the
conduct of Miller at the institution.
He would make no other statement.
! The resignation of Miller will
take effect on June 80 of the pres
ent year. This date was named in
order that the negro might have
time TO wind up the affairs of the
Institution before turning turning
the work over to his successor.
! The hoard of trustees which met
Yesterday at noon in the office of
Gov. Blease decided to hold anoth-
er meeting just after the adjourn
ment of the present general assem-
bly, when the successor to Miller will
he chosen.
Miller has been president of the
institution for several years and
draws salary of $4,000 a year.
1t is expected that a negro, n.
F. Nix, will be named by the board
Of trustees 10 succeed Miller.
The letter of resignation follows:
Hon. Cole l.. Blease, the governor
of South Carolina, Columbia,
South Carolina.
Dear Sir:-Because | opposed
your election to the chief office in
the gift of our beloved State, you
have demanded my resignation,
stating that you will not permit the
State colored College to do any
business until my resignation is in
your hand. In answer to your re-
quest. With your permission our
honored trustees have fixed the
end OF the fiscal year, June seth,
az the day for my resignation to be
effective. thank you ever so
much, dear sir, for this leniency,
the more so because | am guilty of
having begged the voters not to
vote for you. l counted the cost
before ] opposed you, hence ! am
prepared for the blow of your Of
ficial act
1T Will be Is years, June 10th,
since ] was elected to my present
position, having been endorsed by
the Republican and Democratic or
CARNATIONS, the judiciary, most of
the members OF the constitutional
convention, the State legislature,
State officials, members of congress
and two United States senator's. In
response to their endorsement |
lave put Is years OF faithful SER
vice in this work. now thank
them for the great confidence they
reposed in me.
My official acts have gone into
history: I do not fear the Judgment
OF our people, white and black. up
| on them. Ny opposition to you was
not an official act and |, alone am
responsible to my country and to
God, for having opposed your cleo
ton TO your exalted position.
Honored Sir, never slandered
you for there was no malice in my
opposition to you, l felt that your
announced policy against the negro
was not founded upon justice and
the best interest OF the State; for
That reason tried TO bring about
your defeat.
wishing for you an admins
tTation founded upon wisdom and
statesmanshfp, peace, prosperity and
happiness, i hereby tender you this,
my resignation, to go into effect
June 80, 1911.
Very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Thos E. Miller,
President Of the State Colored Col
lege"