Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-06-07

FIELDER AGAIN AFTER BLEAsE
"Hub Handed Me $500; DESTROY
This Letter."
(The State, 4th.)


The Atlanta Constitution yester-
day published most sensational
open letter addressed "To Cole L.
Blease' and signed by Thomas B.
Fielder This letter follows one Of
more general character addressed
to many newspapers
Charges Of the gravest nature are
made against the Governor Of South
Carolina, and he is challenged to 20
into the United States courts for re-
dress. Two letters signed Cole"
alleged to have been addressed to
liquor establishment, one asking for
pay for services and the other ac-
knowledging the receipt of $500,
and expressing doubt of Hubs" re-
liability in money matters, are
printed. 1t Is distinctly shocking to
South Carolinians to have Coward"
or thief" applied to the Governor of
this State.
While the matter has been pub
lished In responsible newspaper,
The State does not feel warranted in
reproducing the language conveying
criminal charges until there Is more
light shed. Mr.. Fielder should be
made to prove his charges or else
suffer the penalties for gross libel.
He says In part:
II the charges l make are false,
they are libelous per Sc, and | am
suably solvent.
Moreover, with apologies to the
shades Of my departed ancestors, I
N modesty claim to be your equal,
and II you are aggrieved by the
charges, 1T will be my pleasure to
meet you at such time and place
without the confines Of your State
that may suit your convenience, to
the end that abundant opportunity
may be afforded to redress your
grievances.
my charges are groundless and
lihelous and you do not wish to seek
personal satisfaction, you can insti-
tute suit against me In the United
states court in the city OF Atlanta.
Should 1t be objected. however, that
thls is my home county, then In any
OF the subdivisions Of The district.
AS soon as suit Is filed / hereby
promise and agree, in order to facii-
itate and expedite the same, and by
way OF circumventing any excuse you
may offer for inartion, that I Will
acknowledge service and will enter
into recognizapce with good and
approved security in an amount COW
ering the sum sued for, the fees of
your counsel and the cost of court.
together with your personal ex-
penses and the expenses Of your wit
nesses; the only condition Of the
bond to be that you shall finally pre-
vail in the litigation.
An investigation Of this court will
disclose that it presided over by
a distinguished jurist, who in the ad-
mihtstration Of the laws, knows nei-
ther friend nor foe, and while his
decisions are occasionally reversed.
they abound in such rigid integrity
that they are universally interpreted
to be without variableness or
shadow of turning"
Then follow the direct charges on
which Blease Is invited to base his
suit for libel. They affect his conduct
while Senator from Newberry in deal
Ing with persons selling supplies to
the State dispensary.
here are two letters as presented,
with Col. Felder's preface:
use your own language: From
the mountain Of evidence" in nv
possession ! submit for your consid-
Grafton "a few grains of sand" In
doing so omit the name of the ad-
dresSee:
The Letters.
Dear Sir: ] am greatly surprised
that you failed to call upon me dur
ing your recent visit to Columbia
and arrange the matter as promised.
Spoke to Hub about 1t and he re-
ferred me to you. Have performed
all services as agreed, both as to
matters pending here and as to the
last purchases by the board. Let me
near from you at once. Read and
destroy. go"