The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-03-29
LETTERS MADE PUBLIC.
M. HtMBIIT REFUSES TO
MAKE STATEMENT.
Letters Given Out by Gov. B.ease
From Jno. X. Hambiin Showing
that Bar Association Had With
drawn Name OF Ernest Moore.

Union. made public by Gov. Blease
yesterday. add interest to the court
situation In Union county. 1t will
be recalled that Saturday Gov. Blease
stated that he would not name Ernest
Moore OF Lancaster as special Judge
for equity court In Union. His 9TH
er remarks were printed in black
type on the last column of the first
page of The State yesterday morn
ing.
Gov. Blease. In commenting on the
case. said that he based his position
on the two letters which he made
public.
John X. Hamblin. a member OF the
Union County Bar association, who
sent a letter to Gov. Biease stating
that the recommendation of Ernest
Moore had been withdrawn by the
bar association. said to a representa-
tive OF The State over the long dis
tance telephone yesterday that he
had no statement to make. II don't
care TO discuss the matter. / don't
care TO get into a newspaper contro-
versy about It,"
when you addressed letter to
Gov. Blease stating that the recon-
mendation Of Ernest Moore had been
withdrawn by the bar association. did
you act In behalf of the bar associa-
tion?" he was asked.
IL refuse to make a statement"
he replied.
y. Gordon Hughes. the secretary of
the bar association of Union County
said yesterday that Mr.. Hamblin had
been handling the special judge mat
ter. and that the bar association had
never taken any official action on the
question.
The law requires that special
judges shall be commissioned by the
governor upon the recommendation
Of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Jones has recon-
mended Ernest Moore for the Union
court
The law does not require that bar
associations recommend special
judges to the chief justice. THIS is
done through courtesy. The law
requires the chief Justice to recon-
mend a disengaged circuit Judge or
an attorney learned In the law. who
shall be commissioned by the COVER
nor.
Ernest Moore was recommended
by the Union County Bar Associa-
tion and by Chief Justice Jones. Mr..
Moore heard the John Black case. lie
was not on the eligible" list for ap-
pointment recently made up by the
governor and sent to the chief JUS
tice.
Gov. Blease announced yesterday
the following letter as his reason for
refusing TO commission Ernest Moore:
"Jno. X. Hamblin.
Attorney at Law,
"Unon. s. Q. Fob. IS, 1911.
Hon. Cole. l.. Blease. Governor of
South Carolina. Columbia, S. c.
Dear Sir: ON behalf OF the bar
have just nailed a petition to you and
Chief justice Jones asking for special
term OF court TO try equity cases. etc.
no jury cases. Our bar has recon-
mended Ernest Moore. and IL for any
reason he Is not appointed. then we
leave 'he Srestion of appointment
open. III there is disengaged circuit
Judge we expect him to be appointed.
Yours truly.
"Jno. X. Hamblin."
"JnO. X. Hamblin.
Attorney AZ Law.
"Unon, 5. c., March %. 1911.
Governor Cole. l.. Blease. Columbia.
South Carolina.
Dear Sir: As we have a court or
dered for next week. beginning March
%. To try equity cases. and there are
out-of-town attorneys Uho are inter-
ested in the court and making inqul.
ries. I should bc very glad If YOU
would give mo the information as 10
whether o. not Judge has been
commissioned 20 hold this court.
"Our ba: has withdrawn the name
Of Ernest Moore. and has suggested
Gin event there Is uo discngagcd cir
cult judge) that wc have Walter
Hunt OF Newbcrry. or G.. G. Sims Of