Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-03-22
BLEAsE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
Removes the Five Members, Charging
Neglect of Duty.
(The State, eth

not unexpected, but the poremptOry
order came somewhat as a surprise.
The members OF the commission
are: DR.. w. j. Murray, Columbia,
chairman; Avery Patton, Greenville;
John McSween, Timmonsville; j.
Steele Brice, Yorkville, and A. n.
Wood, Gaffney.
Governor Bleasc said that he had
no statement TO make as to whether
he would appoint another commits
sion to complete the work Of wind
ing up the affairs OF the old State
~dispensary.
In his order Of dismissal he charg-
ed the members Of the commission
with neglect OF duty. stating that the
work should have been completed at
an earlier date.
He had much to say with refer
cnce to the Atlanta firm Of lawyers.
lie charged the members of the COM
mission with incapacity.
This act follows four years of
hard work by five of the best known
and most capable and honest business
men In South Carolina, who have,
by their untiring efforts, saved the
State about 100000.
Sent General Order.
The Governor sent a general or
der of dismissal to all Of the men,
bers, in which he makes certain
charges as to neglect Of duty, there
by creating himself a court of inves-
LEGATION and denying these men a
fair and thorough investigation for
which they asked, and which was
given by an act of the last General
Assembly.
The following is the substance Of
the order OF Governor Blease:
"Whereas, The General Assembly,
by an act approved the 18th day OF
February, A. d. 1907, entitled An
act to provide for the disposition OF
all property connected with the State
~dispensary and to wind up it's af-
fairs provided that Immediately
upon the approval of this act the
Governor shall appoint a commission
Of well known business men, consist
ing OF five members, none Of whom
shall be members Of the General AS
sembly, to be known as the State Dis
pensary Commission, who shall give
bond for the faithful performance of
he duties required in the sum OF
$1O,0O0,' and the said act further
providing that the said commission
shall pay to the State Treasurer, af-
ter deducting their compensation and
other expenses allowed by this act,
all surplus funds on hand, after pay
ing all liabilities.
Had Ample Time.
"In my judgment the members OF
the commission have had more than
ample time to finish their work and
make a final report, and it appear
ing to my satisfaction that this kas
not been done, and thai said COM
mission Is guilty Of neglect of duty
by not making the investigations re-
quired In said act themselves, but
delegated this 0 er to a firm Of at
torneys, under a contract which pro-
vided an exorbitant fee.
Much delay and loss, under the pro-
visions Of this agreement, has oc-
cured; caused continued agitation
among the people Of the State, and
has prevented them from doing their
work at the earliest date practical
BILE
"Therefore, they have been negli-
gent in the discharge Of, and shown
plainly incapacity for, the duties re-
CURED Of them; and, taking into
consideration all of the circum-
stances and facts in regard to the
delay and neglect in winding up the
affairs as provided for in the act,
II In view Of the fact that all
money has not been turned over to
the State Treasurer. and this being
further neglect of duty, and showing
clearly incapacity and indisposition
to do the work as the act provides,
at the earliest date practicable'-it
being four years since said act was
approved--and for divers other good
and sufficient reasons to me appear
ing; and
'Whcrcas, An act to further pro-
vide o winding up the affairs OF the
state ~dispensary, etc. approved the
Attn day Of March, a. ID. 1909. pro-
Fld"s 'That the Governor is hereby
authorized and empowered to remove
any member Of the said commission
whenever he may deem it for the