The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-03-23
BLEASE REMOVES BOARD
DISPENsARY COMMISSION RE-
CEIVES NOTICE OF DISMISSAL.
Wants to Know by What Authority
Immunity Was Granted in Dis
pensary Cases.

3uASSOo tA0 WOAnOC1o . VI ShS oSOSS 49,
pensary commission. This action was
not unexpected, but the peremptory
order came somewhat as 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.
Gov. Blease said that he had no
statement to make as to whether he
would appoint another commission to
complete the work of winding 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
ence to the Atlanta firm of lawyers.
He 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 general order
of dismissal to all of the members, in
which he maks certain charges as to
neglect of duty, thereby creating
himself court of Investigation and
denying these men a fair and thor
ough investigation for which they
asked and which was given by an act
of the last general assembly.
The Order.
The following is the order of Gov.
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 its af-
airs 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
dispensary commission, who shall
give bond for the faithful perform
ance of the duties required in the
sum of $4,000, and the said act
further providing that the said COM
mission shall pay to the State treas
urer, after deducting their compen-
sation and other expenses allowed
by this act, all surplus funds on
hand, after paying 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 has
not been done, and that said com,
mission is guilty of neglect of duty
by not making the Investigations re-
quired in said act themselves, but
delegated this power to firm of at
torneys, under contract which pro-
vided an exorbitant fee, and provid-
ing The said parties of the first part
in their negotiations or prosecution
of suits in behalf of the parties of
the second part or of the State of
South Carolina, are hereby clothed
with full power, subject alone to the
approval of the attorney general of
said State, to offer to any of the par
ties involved, immunity from prose-
cution upon such terms and condi-
tions as in their judgment may be
deemed to the best interest of the
parties hereto and to the State of
South Carolina, which provision of
said agreement was wholly without
any authority of the commission to
make, in violation of the law and
contrary to the policy and dignity of
the State, placing the great and deli
cate power of the State to give par
don ard immunity to violators of her
laws in the hands of people not even
citizens of the State, subject to the
approval of an officer of the State
in whom I fail to find any constitu-
tional or statutory power vested.
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 practica-
ble.'
Negligence?
Therefore, they have been negli-
gent in the discharge of and shown