Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-03-24
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.

- Chester. March %: Court Of gen.
eral sessions convenes here on next
Monday morning at 10 o'clock, with
Robert Aldrich presiding. Jurors for
the first and second weeks and the
grand jurors for the term have been
drawn by the jury commissioners.
Jurors for the third week will be
drawn tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
There are three murder cases on the
docket for trial, all Of the accused be-
ing negroes. They are: Zeb Hill,
case of interest Is that against the
Blocks Of Georgia, charged with con-
spiracy to defraud the state during
the regime Of the old dispensary. A
true bill against them was returned
by the grand jury at the fall term Of
court and the defendants filed certi-
fed bonds with the clerk Of cour. for
their appearance.
- Columbia, March 21: Charging the
supreme court Of South Carolina with
sending a negro to his death without
q fair opinion, which he claims was
Influenced by the special judge con-
troversy, Governor Blease today COM
muted to life Imprisonment the SEN
tence Of the Laurens county negro,
John Davis, who was to have been
Gently affirmed by an opinion of the
supreme court, at the same time the
court ruling that special judges must
be commissioned by the governor upon
the recommendation Of the supreme
court. This question Of conflict In
authority between the court and my
self was lugged into this case" said
Governor Blease, "at the very height
Of the discussion. In order to hit me,
the court decided against the poor
negro. 1t would be inhuman for me
to let him be hanged because Of po-
litical animosity towards me-"
The governor has given out an
other "T. B." letter, dated October z,
It Is as follows: Wire me on receipt
of this when the board Of control
meets to purchase supplies. am in
formed the next meeting occurs on
the twelfth. Can you arrange a meet
ing with the other two sometime be-
tween now and then? You must do
something for US at the next meeting.
Our representative Is working the
Alabama dispensaries this week and
will devote next week to Georgia and
Is getting great results. I am sur
prised that you are not, under the
circumstances, taking more interest
n BOOu III
October will put US on easy street.
After then, the business from Georgia
and Alabama will give US big profits.
Let me hear from you by return mail
when and where can see you.
want to go over the situation with you
fully"
Columbia State, Thursday: II
am making q little investigation my
self and when I get through they will
not need committee" Making this
statement yesterday, Gov. Blease stat
ed that he would not sign the measure
passed by the general assembly au-
thorizing commission to be ap-
pointed to investigate the acts Of the
dispensary winding-up commission
which was dismissed by the chief ex-
ecutive. The measure was passed by
the general assembly as a result Of
a special message from Gov. Blease,
and he now refuses to sign the act
which would give the members the
right to be investigated Of the charges
brought by the governor. Then the
governor said: "Oh that mine adver-
sary would write a book. Tom Fielder
Is mad" These statements were
made by Gov. Blease when asked II he
would reply to the charges Of T. B.
Fielder, the attorney Of Atlanta He
mas referred 10 MS adversary and
the book before. Gov. Blease said that
he was not ready to drop out any
more "of his grains Of sand" on the
dispensary situation. Three members
of the investigation committee have
been appointed from the senate by
President Smith. Speaker Smith Of
the house did not name the members
from the house, taking the position
that the act should be approved by
Gov. Blease first. Those named by
Lieut.. Gov. Smith were: Senators
Clifton, Carlisle and Sullivan. The
governor has already stated his dis
like for the senate members Of the
body. He has also stated that he will
constitute himself as special inves-
tigation committee to look into the acts
Of the members Of the old commits
sion.