The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-15
BLEASE FIRES THREE NOTARIES.
Resents Their Activity in BeIt0n In
cident.-COmmissiOn Summarily
Revoked.

Columbia, Aug. 10.-Publication in
morning papers today Of afidaVits
tending to support charges made ed
1torially by the Belton Times, and re-
produced in other newspapers, of in
civility on the part of Governor Blease
toward a young 'voman employed as
ticket agent in the Southern railway
station at Belton, was followed this
afternoon by the summary revocation
of the commissions of Notarles Public
]. NJ. Alexander, J. H. Merritt and J.
A. Horton. Mr.: Alexander himself
made one of the afddavits, and Messrs.
Merritt and Horton attested afidavits
in the case.
!. To each Of the three notaries Gov
ernor Blease addressed a letter, as
follows: "Some time since you were
commissioned a notary public by me,
under the constitution and the laws
tduring the pleasure Of the governor.)
Your commission is hereby revoked,
ard 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 secre-
tary of State, and also with the clerk
of court, who has: been requested to
cancel your commission
:Governor BIease was asked what
mad 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
afctated to his stenographer an ex-
preston on the subject, and had the
copies before him. He said he wished
it understood that his language ap-
piled only to the editors Of the news
papers that have taken part in this
business l.. ....
%The statement was as follows:
%t'I have no further comment to
make ON the Belton matter at this
time. What I stated in my letter to
Mr.. Harris is absolutely correct. I
=, was perfectly sober, was feeling good,
had just left a large crowd of my
friends, was on my way home in the
.oest of spirits and remember very dis
- tiactly what took place. Any man or
woman who lives in South Carolina
who does not know that I am COVER
nor is, indeed in the lowest mire of
. ignorance! hence, when say to any
one that I am Cole L. Blease' it is
, absolutely useless to add that I am
: governor Of South Carolina, and I
/. did not say so on that occasion, if my
( enemies do swear to it.
II have cancelled the commissions
nf Tho three notaries public taking
part in this dirty transaction and
some other. people will hear from it
later. Everyone who has known
me from my childhood up, both
mand and woman will certify to
the fact that I have at all times and
on all occasions been polite and court
eous to everybody, and particularly SO
to ladies'; and this is the first time in
all my life that I have ever been
charged or accused of showing the
slightest disrespect to any lady, and
am satisfied that my friends do moi
believe that I was disrespectful or
this occasion. My enemies, of course
will say they believe it, even if they
don't, and the liars who are editing
the newspapers Of South Carolina viii
endeavor to use it to injure me, be
cause they will go to any depth in thu
filthy bog holes. Of vituperation ant
abuse to do me harm. However, tht
people know me and am governor
the pimps and skunks who use th'
pens for newspapers to the contrar.
notwithstanding, and III be re-elect
ed in spite Of their lies. Watch mel"
Mr.. Alexander is understood here t.
be superintendent Of one Of the Pelze