Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-08-16
COMMISSIONS REVOKED,
Action Results from Belton Incident
Warm Statement by Governor.
columbia Record, 10th.)

\SolulnDla RECORD, lUth.)
Publication in morning papers
Thursday Of aflidavits tending to sup
port charges made editorially by the
Bolton Times and reproduced in
other newspapers, of inciviIity on the
part OF Governor Blease toward a
young woman, employed as ticket
| agent In the Southern railway station
at Bolton, was followed Thursday af-
ternocn by the summary revocation
| OF the commissions Of Notares Pub
Tic ). M. Alexander, J. Fl. Merritt and
}. A. Horton. Mr.. Alexander himself
made one Of the atndavits, and
Messrs. Merritt and Horton attestcd
! allidavits in the case
Letter of Removal.
TO each Of the three notaries Gov
ernor Blease addressed letter, as
follows:
Some time since you were COM
missioned a notary public by me, un-
der the constitution and the laws
(during the pleasure Of the Cover
voked, and any further act performed
by you as such officer will be illegal
and in violation Of the law. A COPY
OF this letter has been filed with the
Secretary Of State, and also with the
Clerk Of Court, who has been request
ed to cancel your commission"
TO the Editors.
Governor Bleasc was asked what
had moved him to revoke these COM
missions. He said he had not intend
ed to volunteer any statement, but in
anticipation Of such an inquiry had
dictated to his stenographer an eX-
preston on the subject. and had the
copies before him. He said he wished
1T understood that his language ap-
piled only to the editors Of the news
papers that have taken part in this
business"
Governors Statement.
The statement was as follows:
Il have no further comment to
make on the Belton matter at this
time. What | stated in my letter to
Mr.. Harris is absolutely correct.
was perfectly sober; was feeling
good; had just left large crowd of
my friends, was on my way home in
the best Of spirits aud remember very
distinctly what took place. ANY man
or woman who lives in South Caro-
lima who does not know that I am
Governor Is indeed in the lowest
mire of ignorance; hence, when I
say to anyone that | am Cole l..
Blease,' 1t is absolutely useless to add
that ! am Governor of South Caro-
lima, and I did not say so on that oc-
casion, If my enemies do swear to 1t.
II have cancelled the commissions
or the three notaries public taking
part in this dirty transaction and
some other people will hear from II
later. Everyone who has known me
from my childhood up, both men and
women, will certify to the fact tina.
have at all times and on all occa-
sions been polite and courteous to
everybody, and particularly so to
ladies; and this Is the first time In
all my life that | have ever been
charged or accused of showing the
slightest disrespcct to any lady, and
| am satisfied that my friends do not
believe that l was disrespectful on
this occasion. My enemies, Of course
will say they believe it, even If thew
don't, and the liars who are editing
the newspapers of South Carolina
will endeavor to use it to injure me
because they will go to any depth in
the filthy bog holes Of vituperation
and abuse to do me harm. However,
the people know me, and ali Gov
ernor, the pimps and skunks who use
the pens for newspapers to the con-
trary Notwithstanding, and I'll be re-
elected In spite Of their lies. Watch
me-"
Who They Are.
Ar. Alexander is understood here
to be superintendent OF one of the
PclZer mills. He was comm ;ssioned
on the recommendation of Senator
e. w. Sullivan, Of Williamson. Mr..
Merritt was commissioned on the rec
ommendation OF J. Bolton Watson.
Mr.. Horton, who is mayor of Bolton
ana president of bank there, was
commissioned on the recommends
ton OF Representatives J. w. Ashley