The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-12-29
BLEASE ON WILLIAMS
WATSON AND HUDSON
STATES HIS POSITION FULLY, AN
SNERING REPORTS.
What the Governor Wrote Mr.. Watson
Time Enough When Watson's
Term is Out.

SrQmSQL Idlm uSIuO1lSlI dIAoAA "OA ny
has been transferred from this State
to Georgia, tsupposedly because of on
position of the governor and tLdt
Commissioner Watson is to be displac-
ed when his term expires, and that the
place had been offered to A. D. Hud-
son, of Newberry, Governor Blease
said:
ct have seen the article in today's
State to which I suppose you refer. I
was informed some time since that
Ira W. Williams was to be transferred
from this State. To what point I do
not know. Mr.. Williams supported ME
in the campaign of 1910, so I have
been reliably informed, and he and 1
are the best of friends, and I am sorry
thai he is going to leave this State.
The statement that he and I are at
enmity, or that he is leaving on ac-
count of any feeling between himself
and myself, is absolutely and un-
uualifedly false. / would be glad If
Mr.. Williams would stay in the State,
and if he will stay I will ask the leg
islature to keep up the appropriation
for his department, and do next year,
as have done this year, all in my
power to assist him in his demonstra-
ton work. I have never offered Mr..
Watson's position to anybody, but
merely stated on one occasion to John
Richards that I was sorry he accepted
the railroad commission position, be-
cause expected to appoint him COM
missioner of agriculture, and the re-
port that I have offered Mr.. Watson's
position to one or two others is abso-
lutely false AS to Mr. Hudson, he
told me emphatically On two occa-
sions that he did not want Watson's
position. I am informed, however,
that he would accept the position held
by Williams.
LAS to the letter to Commissioner
Watson, wrote him that my under
standing was that he was appointed
commissioner of agriculture for South
Carolina, and not the United States,
and that if he left the State again
without my permission, I would de-
clare his Office vacant, and put some
one in it who would stay at home and
attend To it. I meant that and shall
carry it out to the letter. Copies of
my letter and his reply are on file
in my Office, to which the newspapers
are welcome, as there are no secrets
in the governors Office. Everything
that is done there is open and above
board, is placed on the public files,
and there are no secrets from the peo-
pie. -
= ."As to the next State farm demon
s4rafia1 agent being acceptable to the
soyeraar, a. I understand, this IS a
matter in the Lands of the United
States department, with which I have
nothing to do. know nothing OF MI.
Bakers candidacy for the POSITION l.
shall uphold the department OF agr1-
rulture and the farm demonstratlon
work, and do everything within my
lower to make it a success. And II l
ad been consulted this year IN regard
the departments, think I could
ave given some very valuable sug-
gestions, and possibly saved some
Ipeople from putting themselves IN
-yery awkward positions. But as l
have not been consulted in regard to
any matter, am in no manner shape
.or form responsible for the turn al
fairs have taken.
when Mr.. Watson's term expires
it will then be time enough for me TO
consider whether I shall reappolnt
him or give the position to some one
else. I understand that the constltu-
:tion forbids life tenure of Office, and
T do not presume there is any excep-
ton made in the case of the commls-
sioner of agriculture"
As to PardOns.
Asked as to the charge that his COM
mutations and pardons were slap II
the faces of judges and jurors, the
governor said:
81 have paroied, pardoned and com