The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-06-10

when Col. Fielder let go his first
broadside against Gov. Blease. we as
serted that he had laid himself liable
10 prosecution for criminal libel, and
his more recent publications have
strengthened the case against him.
unless he can prove the damaging
charges he makes against Biease.
Unless Blease takes Fielder into
court and proves him guilty of libel
and slander; the impression will be-
eame fixed in the minds OF all decent
citizens that the man who holds the
Office OF governor Is guilty. as charg-
ed.
The prosecution of Fielder on the
criminal charge OF having attempted
Co bribe II. II. Evans will deceive no
one and will not serve to distract at
tention from the charges against
BIease.
Hub" Evans Is already under in
dictment for grating. and. al
though he has not been tried and
convicted In a court of law, he has
been tried at the bar OF public opln-
Du-
what matters II IL Fielder did try
to bribe Hub" Evans as alleged?
The only novelty about the charge is
that II was Fielder who was the agent
Of corruption and that the effort to
pull or the corrupt deal was abortive.
This counter attack on Fielder may
be good tactics and according to the
rules OF the game. but the people
Of South Carolina have been 50 sur
telced on the mess Or eraft and cor
ruptiou mat they have been fed with
ever since the Investigation OF the
st5pcnsary was started that they
have NO stomach for additional rcvo-
lations respecting the operations Of
Evans. Towill Boykin. Black. wylie.
Rawnnson ct al. And IL Blease and
his personally conducted wind-up
sommission imagine that they can
create a furor and raise a dust. suf-
hcient to obscure the charges against
Biease. by prosecuting Fielder for the
improbable crime of attempting and
failing TO bribe Hub" Evans, they
underestimate the intelligence Of the
people they are attempting TO bam-
boozle with this sort of chaff.
Blease Is confronted by the most
serious problem OF his career. and If
ne fails To face II. like an honest man
would. and prove that his hands are
clean. ne will forever bear the stigma
of having used public office dishonor-
Gbb.
Fielder has charged him with hav-
ing accepted bribes. with having been
guilty Of political corruption and
with various other dishonorable prac-
tees. Fielder claims , be able to
prove all that he has charged and
more. and detles Blease to put the
matter To the test in the state or
United States Courts.
The issue is clearly drawn and 1t
rests withs Blease TO use the means
ready 10 his hand TO establish his
own Innocence and integrity and
prove Fielder guilty Of SANDER; or he
can lie down under the charges,
claiming that he has indicated him
self by having n warrant issued for
Fielder. the man who makes the
charges and offers to prove them, on
the allegation that the said Fielder.
did. some seven years ago, attempt
TO bribe and corrupt one Hub"
Evans. then state official. To wit, a
director Of tho state dispensary,
drawing "A salary OF s4OO per an
mum. and growing rich therefrom.
III Blease Is satisfied with this sort
of vindication he will obtain from
the prosecution OF Fielder for at
tempting To bribe Hub" Evans. ha
Is too easily satisfied, and the legil-
laturc should impeach him on the
general charge Of being fool and
valrly Imagining that all the people
Of the state are likewise afflicted.
Either Fielder IL liar and sland-
erer. or Blease Is both and something
much worse besides.
II Is up To Blease 90 clear the mat
ter up and prove whore he stands.