The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-04-05
As TO ASSESSORS.
GOVERNOR TELLS HOW GREEN.
VILE TANGLE OCCURRED.
Recommendations of CD. Smith
Changed by Governor BIeass Fol-
lowing Judge Gary's Order.

Columbia, April Gov. Blease
yesterday announced his position in
the controversy O. the appointment
Of members Of bard of assessors
of GreenvilIr s.
Z. ID. - member Of the house
from ~ -he' who ordered certain
mar Anged in the list Of recon-
J. ~ IONS by the Greenville delega-
was personal friend and sup
1rter of Gov. Blease. Gov. Blease
| said that he did tell Mr.. Smith that
he might make some changes in the
recommendation, but that when the
decision Of Judge Gary was given in
the Beaufort county case, he ordered
the old name placed back.
The following is the position Of
Gov. Blease on the controversy as
announced from his office:
"On February 13, 1911, the recon-
mendations were handed in for
Greenvlile county, accompanied by a
note signed by w. L. Mauldin, senator.
Later, c. D. Smith came in, and asked
to be allowed 10 make some changes
in the recommendations. The gov
ernor requested him to take the mat
ter up with Miss Newman. who was
then a stenographer in the office,
Miss Newham having charge of this
part Of the work. The governor, 60
ing into the front room with Mr..
Smith, and instrccting Miss Newn-
ham to make such changes as Mr..
Smith suggested. Miss Newman says
large stout gentleman came to her
and stated that he wanted to make
the changes, but did not have the
names with him, but tina. he would
get them. He later came back, and
suggested that Miss Newman insert
the names in the townships in her
own handwriting, crossing out the
names sent in on the original list
After Miss Newnham made the
changes, she asked the governor if he
wanted to look at them, and the gov
ernoi said: NO, go ahead and make
the appointments just like he gave
them to YOU and the appointments
were made.
''The following letter explains the
changing Of the names:
"Greenville, March IL, 1911.
His Excelleney Cole L. Blease. Gov
ernor of South Carolina, Columbia,
Dear Governor: Reappointment
board of assessors Cleveland town.
ship, Greenville county.
Your excelency has appointed
Ben Hagood, W. l. Morgan, and ]. d.
Drake on the recommendation of c.
ID. Smith. and myself. / find that
we were mistaken in the initials OF
Drake, and same should be c. G..
Drake, instead of j. d. Drake. There
Is no j. ID. Drake in this township. I
suggest that you have an oath sent
to our clerk Of court reading to c.
G. Drake, recalling the one to ]. D.
Drake. There is a small kick going
on from friends of Senator Mauldin,
but they amount to nothing, and
didn't support either you or myself.
With best wishes, am,
Yours very truly,
wilton II. Earle
After the appointments were made.
Senator Mauldin came to the gov
ernor end stated that the original list
contained the names Of the parties
recommended by a majority of the
Greenville delegation, and insisted
upon their being commissioned.
'The governor, in view Of the re-
cent decision OF Judge Ernest Gary.
in regard to such appointments re-
vOked the commissions Of those ap-
| pointed, and commissioned the par
ties who were recommended by ma
| Jority Of the Greenville delegation.
THE governor says that there was
nothing dishonorahle in the transac-
t'on on the part Of any one. so far as
he can see; that Mr.. Smith wished
the changes; that they were made for
him, and Senator MauIdin insisted
upon the appointment Of the original
named parties; ana. in obedience TO
the decision of Judge Gary, these
parties were appointed That it was
morolN delccatiou 1ght and that
he docs not SOC thaf anvthing dishon-
'rr".n has h'.a done hy anybody. and
| that he is surprised ut Mr.. Smith en-.
d'avoriu@ to place tn" blame for the
| changes ON q secretary i'm the Of