The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-07-18
BLEASE WARNS LIQUOR BOARDS,
They Must Not PatrOniZe Houses That
Defrauded tSate, Says Governor
BIeaSe.

Columbia, July 14.-''It is my posi-
tive intention to remove members OF
county boards Of control who have
bought goods from houses that de-
frauded the State under the State dis
pensary system, unless these members
can show some very sound excuse,
said Governor Blease this afternoon
when asked about letter he had dis
patched to the chairmen of the six
county dispensary boards, inquiring
whether they were dealing with hous-
es shown up in an unfavorab1e light
by dispensary investigations.
Governor Blease REINFORCED this let
ter, of date July 10, by further mes
sage today, which was Forwarded by
telegraph, except in the case of the
Richland board, to whom it was mail
ed. This second message reads:
"a Word TO the Wise"
''In my opinion, you should not pur-
chase goods from any house that ad-
mits it defrauded the State under the
State dispensary, and request that
you do not. A word to the wise should
be SUFFICIENT
Governor Blease said today: "I have
called on Dispensary Auditor M. H.
Mobley to furnish me with the names
Of the members of the county boards
Of control, report Of their purchases
and list Of those houses that admit
ted defraudiug the State in connec-
ton with the Old State dispsnsary.
The boards of Aiken, Richiand and
Charleston have not been heard from.
Members Of the Georgetown board
called at my Office Thursday, but
was engaged with the State board Of
education and could not see them.
They left, saying they would report
by mail I have heard nothing from
Beaufort or Florence. Members OF
the Richland board say they have
compiled with the law and conducted
their business strictly and honestly.
From Charleston Board.
"ISe Charleston board says 1t has
been guided rigidly by the law, as in
terpreted by County Attorney J. N.
Nathans, and have 'conscientiously
and consistently done their duty, haV-
ing received no rebates.
IF any further purchases are made
by any county board from houses that
admitted defrauding the State and
paid back the money, I shall immed-
lately remove the members Of such
board, unless sufficient excuse Is Civ
en-"
The letter which first indicated the
governors attitude in the matter was
as follows:
"Gentlenen: am informed that al
most all of your purchases are made
from houses which have heretofore
been proven guilty of robbing, Or at
least defrauding South Carolina. I
know that some of those from whom
you purchase have admitted that they
defrauded the State Of South Carolina
and made good for at least a part Of
what they had defrauded her out of. I
understand that you are purchasing
from houses represented by Roy, Ear
~, Sligo Myers, Trager, M. H. Myers,
: Wylie and others.
Threatens Removal.
''If you make purchases from these
houses, knowing the facts, feel that
it is my duty to remove you from office,
unless you can give a satisfactory ex-
planation therefor. If these men de-
frauded the State and confessed it,
why will they not rob youRcounty and
confess it? If they rebated the State
board, as some Of them sWore they did,
will they not rebate you, if you will
accept it? From complaints coming
to me, there are people who believe
you will accept it. Why lay your
selves open to these criticisms, when
1t could be so easily avoided? Why
put my administration in the position
of being criticised, as it is being crit
icised, by such actions On your part?
"Please give me such information as
you have along this line, ard I hope
that it will be satisfactory to the pub
bic. If you think it will not be salts
factory, your resignation will save
your removal Very respectfully,
"Cole. L. Blease,
Governor"
The Rich1and county dispensary
board is composed of Messrs. John J.
Cain, Jos D. Mot and ". H. Castor. |