The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-01
STANDS BY THE BOARD

GOVERNOR BLEAsE SATISFIED
WITH WHAT 1T DID.
Says the Members in Their Action
Were Just as Conscientious as
Swearingen Was.
Governor Blease Wednesday after
noon issued statement in connec-
ton with the text book contract mat
ter. Governor Blease said:
'I have seen Superintendent Swear
ingen's statement. I have no COM
ment to make. He Is entitled to his
opinion, and I have the highest re-
gard for him, and, If he is can
didate' for reelection, he has my best
wishes for his success, for I think
he is conscientious and trying to do
what he believes is right. However,
after a most careful and thorough
investigation I am satisfied that the
seven gentlemen who represented
the State by appointment on this
board, (and who were appointed by
my predecessor are equally as con-
scientious and as honorable gentle
men, and did what they believed was
for the best interest of the children
of South Carolina.
II considered the changing of the
board. Certain newspapers were very
loud in their denunciation of me In
contemplation of such action and
spoke in the very highest and lauda-
BILE terms of these gentlemen, and 1t
appeared from their rawlings that had
I removed these gentlemen I would
have been subjected to the most Sc
we're censure.
"Now, that the adoption Is over,
some of these same papers are criti-
cising these gentlemen. If they can
make their position consistent, after
publishing these contradictory state
ments, all right, for it will only
be in keeping with the easing Of their
conscience for their other falsehoods
and vituperation in which they have
engaged.
ION the morning Of the beginning
of the book adoption I was called
away from Columbia and, therefore.
was not present at the adoption Of
the books on the morning of the first
day. Neither was present when the
vote was taken on the question raised
by superintendent Swearingen-that
each man record his vote on each
book. II 1 had been present would
have voted for Mr.. Swearingea b
plan; and, If any one is interested
enough to now, I will be delighted
to state how voted on each book
that was adopted during my prese~--'o,
think my record In the Eouse Of
Representative and in the State Sen
ate and in the Governors office will
justify me in saying that have al
ways been free and open in every
act that I have ever committed, and
l have no apologies to make to any
man or set of men. I recognize no
boss but the people, and, when /
20 before them to them alone will
I give an account.
"I refused on several occasions to
lsee book men. Notably in this class
were the agents Of the American
Book Company, and I have been in
formed that Mr.. Fair, one Of their
representatives, was rather severe In
his criticism of my not allowing him
to see me and discuss his books with
him. When book men called, I de-
cltned to see them-stating to some
to see Mr.. Swearingen, that he was
State Superintendent of Education,
and that the people had elected him
to perform that duty and not me.
AS to CHM & Co.. / guess Mr.. Wal
ker will hardly say that I had any
favors for them. The only agents
with whom I did have any conversa-
tion of consequence, did not get even
a book, except Prof. White.
GAS I have said before, my fight
was for Southern books, and we
adopted Thompson's, Kinard's, Wal
lace's, Whites, Sims's and other
South Carolina authors. AS to the
Wheeler reader, while was not pres
ent when they were adopted, they
are by Kentuckian and many of
the other books adopted were by
Southern authors: and in my opinion,
our people would rather pay alittle
more and have their children taught
the truth in Southern books, than
to pay less and be taught books by
Yankee authors, and taught to be-
lieve that their grand fathers, and
their great at-grand-fathers were trait
ors to their State.
81 regret that Superintendent
Swearingen looks at the matter as he
does.
"As for my part of it, ignorant
as I was as to the needs Of the chill
dren, I did the best I could. AS for
the balance-I refer the people to
Prof. O'Driscoll; Mr.. Rice. Prof. Dan
iels, Prof. Remb bert, Prof. Toms, Prof.
Thackston and Senator Glenn. II
/ y.