The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-06-07
FIELDER ACCUSED
New Di;2sassEy coa a;;ssian Swears
Out WarEaa! Evr Him.
CORRUPTION CHARGED

Action Follows Resolution Passed in
Session as Columbia a-Reau;sitior
Papers Filed and Hearing VIII be
Held in June.
A warrant charging T. B. Fielder
Ct Atlanta with offering and at
tempting to bribe a State officer and
with conspiracy to defrSUd the State
Of South Carolina was sworn our
Wednesday at Newberry by B. F.
Kelly, secretary Of the new dispen-
sary commission. The warrant was
sworn out before J. C. Sample and
was placed in the hands Of Sheriff
Buford Of that county.
A dispatch from Atlanta says Sher-
If Bufcrd Thursday afternoon con-
suited Governor Brown and filed
reeuisition for T. B. Fielder. The
hearing will take place before the
governor on June 20. Col. Fielder
remains apparently Indifferent to the
entire proceedings and only reiterates
that the governor OF So"th Carolina
is trying TO cover up his own sins
by directing a fight on him.
The warrant against Mr.. Fielder
was sworn out following The adoption
Of the new dispensary commissions:
Whereas. certain information hav-
ing cone into our possession, which
we are advised is sufficient upon
which to secure a conviction.
stBe it resolved. that the secretary
of this commission is hereby instruct
ed to Immediately swear out war
rant for the arrest Of one Thomas B.
Fielder for offering and attempting to
bribe a State officer Of the State of
South Carolina and for conspiracy
to defraud the said State.
The commission has given 10 Off
ciai statement as 10 the State official
Mr.. Fielder is charged with attempt
ing to bribe. The swearing out OF
the warrant follows sensational
counter charges on the part Of Nj.
Fielder and the governor OF South
Carolina. The governor recently
made public a letter purporting to
have been written to H. H. Evans.
former chairman of the State dispen-
sary board of control. by T. B. Eel
der, offering to "frame-up" deal
for $4,000 The letter in question
was signed 'tT. B." This letter was
secured from H. H. Evans by the gov
ernor. Just what kind of informa-
tion the commission has against Mr..
Fielder is not known.
The commission met at Columbia
Wednesday. Several weeks ago an
order was issued requiring Mr.. Fer
der, member of the firm Of Ander-
son, Fielder, Wilson & Rou1dtree OF
Atlanta. to come to Columbia on May
2S and tell what he knew OF the acts
of the governor as private citizen.
State senator. and chief executive ii
connection with the dispensary stu
alton. Mr.. Fielder did net come to
Columbia Wednesday. The commits
sion accordingly adopted the resolu-
ton directing that warrant be
sworn out against him. Mr.. Fielder
sent a letter to the commission in
which ne explained his position.
The letter of Mr.. Fielder follows:
May 2s, 1911.
"Mr. James Stackhouse. Chairman
and Mr.. B. Frank Kelly, Secretary
State Dispensary Commission 0:
South Carolina. Columbia, S. c.
Gentlemen:
Receipt Of yorr valued favor .:
the 18th instant is hereby ackno~l-
edged. I have been absent from the
city for the past week or 10 days
conducting some Investigations on my
own account aneat the matter re
ferred to in the second paragraph OF
the series Of resolutions adopted by
your commission at a meeting held II
the city Of Columbia on the 18th in
slant. copy of which you caused tc
be transmitted to me here.
after mature consideration,
have reached the deliberate conclu.
sion that If your governor could
with propr;ety create a commission
who are all friends CT mine and per-
sonal supporters TO investigate Il
members Of the cid commission. tht
attorney general Of The State OF
South Carolina and the agents. at
torneys and employees OF the old com
mission. and to make "a rigid lnves'
tigation OF all of my (Ble2s's) acts
as State santor, private citizen ane
governor OF the State. l could wltr
equal propriety resolve myself into
a committee of one to make invest
cations 2s to the said Blease. ms
allies and affliates. think 1t WI!
be conceded that my jurisdiction Is
equally as broad ss yours: that have
the same authority to subpoena Wit
nesses, compel their attendance, ane
to give evidence touching the prem.
ises. as you possess, and I feel that
may say. without undue arrogance
that nv findings OF both law and
fact will be just IS binding and carr!
with them the same degree Of weight
and respectab:lity as yours.
that nv investigations have peer
quite extensive. thorough. exhaustive
and most satisfactory to me. ano
when made public will, in all human
probability. disqualify ;or service
some of those now seeking to pass
Official judgment upon the acts OF
my associates and myself. To some
Of you this statement may prove en-
.Ir conclusion. permit NE to say
iemaJical. while 20 others It Will De
most clear
'It does not suit the convenience
of nv committee 70 n eet with yours
al