The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-11-07
Will MAKE GOOD. |.
Thomas B, Fielder Is Expected 10 Visit
Colunbia and Make Fight
ON GOVERNOR BLEASE.

]. sity Of Opinion, Some Holding
That he VIII, While Others Think
tSHe Can't.
l,.SssIt is the talk in Columbia" said
q we'll informed gentleman who re-
turned from the capital, where he
attended the state fair, and met pol
iticians from all parts OF the state,
says the Spartanburg Herald, THAT
Tom Fielder really Intends to come
TO South Carolina and try to fulfill
his promise that he will furnish am
pie proof that Governor Blease is a
crook. Those in a position to know
declare that Fielder will ccme.
"As there is a warrant out against
him, charging him with offering a
bribe, and the governor has offered a
reward of $500 for his apprehension,
Falder will carry in his pocket a GER
titled check with which to give bond
after his arrest. The legislature does
not have the power to grant him i'm
munity from arrest, even though he
should come to testify at the invita-
tion of the legislature.
Gas to whether or not Fielder will
be able. to deliver the goods, there
is great diversity Of opinion. Some
think he will, while others fear that
he is only bluffering.
''There is sort of hopeless feel
ing, however, that even If he does
prove beyond dispute that Blease is
corrupt it will make little difference
in{the situation. 1t seems to be the
idea that those whom such an ex-
posure would affect--are already a.
gainst Blease, and that proof of cor
ruption would be, po'werless to alien
ate from the governor any Of his
present supporters.
,&{ "To be sure, proof of crookedness
would be grounds on which to bring
impeachment proceedings against the
I governor, but the likelihood OF his
being mpeached is remote. Some
members Of the legislature are howl
ing about impeachment, but it is not
looked upon with favor by the ma.
jority Of the members"
one of the first things which the
Legislature will do will be to pass
over the governors veto, the resolu-
tionscalling for an investigation of
the winding-up commission Of the
state, ,dispensary. Governor Blease
himself requested this investigation
in message to the Legislature in
which he made by insinuation charg-
ss OF wrong doing against the coIn-
mission.
When the legislature provided for
the investigation, however, Lieuten-
ant Governor Smith proceeded to ap-
point the senate members Of the in
vestigating committee before Cover
nor Blease had signed the measure.
The governor then veotoed the meas
ure on the ground that the investi.
gators were men hostile to him. Gov
ernor Rlease later dismissed the
winding-up commission and appoint
ed new commission.
Thomas B. Fielder, the Atlanta at
torney, who had been associated with
Attorney General Lyon in the prose
cution of dispensary grafters, made
charges of corruption against Gov
ernor Blease. Later warrant was
sworn out against Fielder, charging
him with having offered bribe to
H. II. Evans. Governor Brown, OF
Georgia, refused to permit the extra
dition of Fielder, whereupon Cover
nor Blease offered 2 reward of 5000
for the arrest of Fielder and the de-.
livery Of him into South Caolina.
--e~o.Ao-