The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-01-26
BLEASE CALLS FOR PROBE
THE STATE MAY HAVE LOST BY
WINDING.UP COMMISSION.
Sensational Message Sent to the Cen
eral Assembly for Probing of
All the Features.

Columbia, Jan. 24.-Gov. Blease
sent to the legislature this afternoon
a sensational message as follows:
To the General Assembly: Just
after my nomination as Governor, /
noticed in the papers, "and as have
notice no correction, L take it to be
true" that the commission for wind
ing up the affairs of the State dispen-
sary had a meeting at which was
freely discussed, and expressed fears
as to themselves, when I became Gov
ernor. If they had done no wrong, 1
see no reason why they should fear
any harm from me. If they are guilty
of wrongdoing, it is up to you to in
vestigate them.
I would like for you to investigate
them fully and find out for the people
of South Carolina, what did become
of the large amount of alcohol that
was on hand at the time this COM
mittee took charge, to whom it was
sold, at what price, and what was
the regular price at that time, so as
to. see if the State was not heavy
loser in that transaction. Also, what
salary, or how much fees each men,
Der of that commission has received
since he has served on the board
and how much per diem they have
received for their services on the
Sabbath day, particularly the chair
man, and if he rendered any services
on that day; if car fares, railroad
fares and other expenses have been
charged against the State which were
not incurred by the member receiv-
ing payment therefor. Also how much
actual cash has been turned over to
the State treasurer; How much has
been paid out and how much is left
as profit to the taxpayers.
What criminal cases have been
compromised and what were the con-
ditions of the compromise? Has the
Attorney General received any
money, and if so, by whom was it
paid and for what? Why the COM
mission kept the Clarke lot Of whis-
key after Governor Ansel had dis
missed the former members of the
board of control for buying this same
whiskey? Did Clarke rebate the
present commission? If 80, where is
the rebate money? How much more
than $1,000 did Farnum pay, and
where is it? What were the condi-
tions of the Goodman compromise?
What were the conditions of the
Fleischmann compromise? If money
was paid in these transactions, where
is it?
What was the agreement had with
ex-Gov. John Gary Evans and ex-
State Chairman H. H. Evans, for in
formation given by them at confer
ence held in Atlanta, between these
gentlemen, Attorney General Lyon,
and Attorney Fielder? Why were 9TH
er members of the various boards of
control not indicted? What became
of the report of the detectives to
the committees of certain members
of the House and Senate and why
was this report not made public?
What were Felder's fees, and why
was he not prosecuted when it was
known that he was attorney for a
liquor house and was favored with
purchases from the dispensary
boards and rebates were paid for
these purchases? What criminal
prosecutions have been brought; who
has been convicted and what has 1t
cost the State?
A thorough investigation of this
entire matter, gentlemen, will give
a great deal of satisfaction to your
constituents. There are those who
believe that the State has lost more
through the winding-up commission
than it has ever lost through the
State dispensary system. Whether
this be true or not, it is not for me
to say.
I hold my belief as to corruption,
but the people of South Carolina are
entitled to the fullest and freest in