The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-18
MUST TOE MARK
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all the County D'ss!ste koas, q no Aqs 1oq o'F
From Governor Blease.
SOME VERY PLAIN TALK
He Says He Understands That They
Are Patronizing Liquor Houses
That Defrauded the State; and
That They Must Cease to Do So, or
Suffer Removal.

Suffer Removal.
"It is my positive intention to re-
move members of County boards OF
control who have bought goods from
houses that defrauded the State un-
der the State dispensary system, un-
less these members can show some
very sound excuse" said Governor
Blease Friday afternoon, when asked
about letter he had dispatched to
the chairmen of the six county dis
pensary boards, inquiring whether
they were dealing with houses shown
up in an unfavorable light by dispen-
sary investigations.
Governor Blease reinforced this
letter, of date July 10, by a further
message Friday, which was forward
ed by telegraph except in the case OF
the Richland board, to whom it was
mailed. This second message reads:
'In my opinion you should not pur-
chase goods from any house that ad-
mits it defrauded the State under the
state dispensary system, and ! re-
quest that you do not. "A word to
the wise should be sufficient
Governor Blease said Friday: q
have called on Dispensary Auditor NJ
Il. Mobley to furnish me with the
names Of the members of the county
boards Of control, a report of their
purchases and a list of those houses
that admitted defrauding the State in
connection with the old State dispen-
sary. The boards Of Aiken, Ricn-
land and Charleston have been heard
from. Members Of the Georgetown
board called at my office Thursday
but was engaged with the State
board of education and could not see
them. They left, saying they would
report by mail. I have heard moth
ing from Beaufort or Florence. Mem.
bes Of the Richland board say they
have complied with the law and cen
Quoted their business strictly and
honestly. The Charleston board
says it has been guided rigidly by the
law as interpreted by County Attor-
ney ]. N. Nathans and have 'consci-
entiously done their duty, having re-
ceiyed no rebates II any further
purchases are made by any county
board from houses that admitted de-
frauding the State and paid back the
money, shall Immediately remove
the members of such board unless
sufficient excuse is given"
The letter which first indicated the
governors attitude in the matter was
as follows:
Gentlemen: T am informed that
almost all Of your purchases are
made from houses which have here
tofore been proven guilty of robbine
or at least defrauding South Caro-
lima. I know that some Of those
from whom you purchase have ad-
mitted that they defrauded the State
of South Carolina and made good for
at least a part Of what they had de-
frauded her out Of. understand
that you are purchasing from houses
represented by Roy Early, Sligo Ny
ers, Trager, M. H. Myers, Wylie and
othes. If you make purchases from
these houses, knowing the facts,
feel that it is my duty to remove you
from Office, unless you can give a
satisfactory explanation therefor. II
these men defrauded the State arc
confessed it, why will they not rob
your county and confess it? If they
1ebated the State board, as some OF
them swore, will they not re-
bate you, if you will accept it? From
complaints coming to me, there are
people who believe you will accept
it. Why lay yourselves open to these
criticisms, when it could be SO easily
avoided? Whv put my administra'
ton in the position Of being CRITICS.
ed, as it Is being criticised, by such
actions on your part?
Please give me such information as
you have along this line, and I hope
that it will be satisfactorily to tht
public. If you think 1t will not be
satisfactory, your resignation will
save your removal.
Very respectfully,
Cole L. Blease, Governor.
The Richland County dispensary