The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-04-05
NAMES WERE CHANGED.
G. ID. SMITH OF GREENVILLE
SAYS GOVERNOR DID TT.
Member of GrcenviIlc Delegation Re-
opens Question of Appointing AS
SCISSORS.

G"eenvllle, March 3O.--COncerning
recent discussions that arose over the
action Of Gov. Blease in revoking the
commissions of G. G. Drake and j. l..
Campbell as members Of the county
board Of assessors and the subsequent
alleged statements of the governors
stenographer that the names of
Bearden Jennings and Mr.. Acker had
been erased by Representative c. d.
Smith, a member Of the Greenvile
county delegation, Mr.. Smith went
before B. M. Shuman, an attorney,
and made affidavit. the substantial
statements Of which are given in the
following extracts:
Senator Mauldin stated that the
stenographer in the governors office
told him that I had erased the name
of Mr.. Acker and substituted that Of
Mr.. Campbell on the board Of assess
ors of Dunklin township and also had
erased the name of Bearden Jen-
nings and substituted that Of C. G.
Drake in Cleveland township.
II erased no names, nor were they
erased under my directions, but these
changes were made under the direc-
ton Of the governor.
Being the only member of the
Greenville delegation that was espe-
cially friendly to the governor, the
governor stated to me on several oc-
casions while in Columbia during the
session Of the general assembly that
he would make appointments on my
recommendation.
He told me to make my fight IN
the Greenville delegation and If l was
downed to come to him and he would
take care Of me.
I'm the delegation meetings the
delegation appeared to be controlled
by Senator Mauldin, and all the men
recommended by me were promptly
voted down by the members. In Dunk
lin township, which was my home
township, I especially requested the
delegation to recommend the name Of
j. L. Campbell in the place Of j. D.
Wood. The delegation, however, rec
commended the names if Traynham.
Cothran and Acker, my recommends
ton being Cothran and Traynham. In
Cleveland township there was no dele
CATION meeting. l was informed that
the majority of the delegation recon-
mended Morgan, Hagood and Jen-
nings. The minority which were Mr..
Earle and myself, recommended Ha-
good, Morgan and Drake. I carried
the papers to the governor who had
told me he would appoint my ap-
pointees and theerupon Gov. Blease
told his secretary to make any
changes that I desired.
1.-THE appointments made were by
the governors own orders and the
governor knew that he was appoint
ing on my recommendation and not on
that Of majority Of the Greenville
delegation"
B. M. Shuman wss on Blease's list
OF eligibles for circuit judge.
Smith is one Of the leaders of the
Cotton Farmers union and has been
organizing the union. He has also or
ganized the farmers in the legislature
so that they may legislate intelli-
gently on matters pertaining to farms
Gov Blease said yesterday that he
did not remember the details in con-
nection with the appointment Of the
Greenville county board of assessors
he said that the matter had been
handled by stenographer employed
by him for several weeks and that
she would make a statement today.
i Will stand by whatever statement
she makes" said Gov Blease.