The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-09-28
Specific Proof Necessary.

Columbia, Sept. 19.-The question
of bringing impeachment proceed
ings against Coleman L. Blease,
governor of South Carolina, has been
generally discussed in this State for
the past several weeks, the discus
sion being brought about by his acts
since assuming the duties OF chief
executive.
Notwithstanding the discussion be-
ing INDUCED in, at this time no def
mite statement can be had here as to
who will bring the proceedings II
they should be brought.
In bringing impeachment proceed
ings against the governor there are
many questions that will have to be
dealt with. Should the proceedings
be instituted, specific proof Of NAL
feasance in Office would have to be
given to secure results. It Is gener-
ally knoWn. that there are several
afidavits in existence charging NAL
feasance before the present governor
assumed the Office.
Blease's Veto Figures.
There is no question as to the at
titude of the house as to the present
governor. There is some question
as to how the State senate stands.
The situation is just this: At the last
session Of the general assembly a
resolution was introduced at the
request of the governor demanding
a sweeping investigation of the old
dispensary commission and others
connected with the affair. He ask
ed that his acts as private citizen,
State senator and governor be in
vestigated. When the resolution had
passed both the house and the SEN
ate and the committee was named,
the governor indicated that he would
veto the measure.
The entire situation hinges on that
measure. It will be sent back to the
general assembly, on the first day or
the next session with the veto OF the
governor. If the house and senate
pass the measure over his veto then
there will be chance for inmpeach-
ment.
Where Fielder Stands.
Col. Thomas B. Fielder, of Atlanta,
has made some grave charges against
the governor. He has published at
least one letter indicating that the
public life of the governor is not as
it should be. Fielder refused to go
further with the controversy, after
inviting a suit for damages-it has
been supposed that he would en-
brace his charges in communlca-
ton to the general assembly OF TINS
State. Should the charges OF Col.
Fielder prove of merit; then impeacn-
ment proceedings will most assured
ly commence.
The record of C. L. Blease and
the dispensary grafters is generally
known. No specific charge has ever
been brought publicly against him
except by Col. Fielder. On one oc-
casion the governor admitted to Joe
Sparks that he knew that J. Fraser
Lyon, the attorney general OF this
State. held an affidavit from M. A.
Goodman that he had paid to him
(Blease) $500. Attorney Genera
Lyon has always refused to discuss
the situation. He denied that ne
held such an affidavit.
Would Fight Impeachment
Even before there was any sug-
gestion in the press as to impeacn-
ment, the governor has stated IN
speeches that an attempt would pe
made-but that if he were impeacn-
ed he would go to the United states
senate, just what prompted him. him to to
think that impeachment proceedings
would be commenced has never
been explained. In New York the
other night he gave out an interview
in which he stated that he did not
believe he would be impeached.
1t is said that the governor mas
a hired press agent, and it has been
charged that this hired press agent
inspired the story that was handled
bv the American Press Association
for the purpose of arousing sympathy
among the friends of Blease.
The chain gang is now in camp on
the Cannon's bridge road, on which
work is being done. Some OF the