The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-05-05
DIR TWITEHELL STATE GEOLOGIST
Succeeds Nr. Earl Sloan-Gorernor's
Reasons for Action.

Columbia, Nay DIR. Mayville ".
Twitchell, of the department Of geolo-
gy at the University of South Caro-
Ira, was named late today by Gov.
Blease as State feologist, replacing
Mr.. Earl Sloan, of Charleston, who
has held the position for several
years. DR.. TWitchell will serve until
the next session of the general as
sembly. At that time Gov. Blease will
recommend to the legislature that the
Office of State geoiogist be abolished,
on the ground that it is of no use to
the people of the State.
Gov Blease stated this afternoon
that he has TO make an appointment
so long as the law provides for the
Office, and consequently he named a
successor to Mr. Earl Sloan, whose
commission expired at midnight last
night.
At the last session Gov. Blease ye-
toed all items relating to the office of
State geologist except the salary. IT.
is Governor Blease's understanding
that DR.. Twitchell shall receive a per
diem for the days engaged in the work
of State geologist, and that the ex-
penses and per diem shall not exceed
3ho onoo,,rt of tho salary
The salary of State geologist is ST.
500. therefore, $1,000 has been given
for contingent fund and expenses OF
the Office The expense portion and
contingent fund was voted by Gov.
Blease in the 1911 appropriations bill.
Letters were addressed this after
noon by Gov. Blease to DR.. Twftche1
and Mr.. Earl Sloan. Governor Blease's
position is that the Office is of abso-
lutely no service to the people of the
State. He did not veto the salary be-
cause the position itself had not been
abolished.
The following letter was addressed
to DR.. Twitchell:
CDR. Mayville T. Twitchell, Univer-
sity of South Carolina, Columbia, S.
C.-Dear Doctor: I have this day ap-
pointed you State geologist, in accord
ance with our conversation of some
time since, my understanding being
that you will accept the position until
the next session of the general assem-
bly,, and that you are to receive, of
course, the salary provided by law,
but that from this salary you are to
take per diem for the days you are
actually engaged and pay your ex-
penses, thereby not allowing the work
TO 90 undone, and at the same time
not he at any greater expense to the
State than the amount appropriated
as salary.
*If this is not in accordance with
your understanding of the matter,
please be kind enough to inform me.
Very respectfully,
Cole. L. Blease,
'Governor."
The following letter went to Mr..
Sloan:
"Mr. Earl Sloan, Charleston, S. c.
Dear Sir: I suppose you are fully
aware Of the fact that I consider the
position of State geologist absolutely
of no service to the entire people Of
the State, and for that reason I am in
favor Of the Office being abolished.
Having vetoed the appropriations
made to sustain it, I have commission
ed DR.. Twitchell, of the South Caro-
lima University, to fill the position un-
til the general assembly meets, upon
certain conditions.
There was absolutely no objection
to yourself, or your work, and had
the position remained as originally, Il
would have recommissioned you for
III full term, but being in favor of
aboIishing the Office, I consider my
Plan the best way to get at it.
Assuring you of ny kindest per-
sonal regards, am, very respectfully,
''Cole. L. Blease,
Governor"
Mr.. Sloan was here today, but die
not get to see the governor before the
letter was written him.