The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-03-18
WHY THEY WE'RE FIRED
GOV. BLEASE GIVES HIS REAS-
ONS FOR HIS ACTION.

Tells Why He Removed the Members
of the Dispensary Winding Up
Commission.
The following are the reasons as
signed by Gov. Blease for the re-
moval of the Dispensary Winding Up
Commissions:
Whereas, the general assembly, by
an act, approved the 18th day Of Feb
ruary, A. D. 1907, entitled, "An act
to provide for the disposition Of all
property connected with the State
dispensary and to wind up Its al
fairs" provided that Immediately
upon the approval Of this act the
governor shall appoint a commission
of well known business men, consist
ing of five embers, 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 ten thousand dollars and
the said act further providing that
the said commission shall pay to the
State treasurer, after deducting their
compensation and other expenses al
lowed by this act, all surplus funds
on hand, after paying all liabilities
In my judgment the members of
the commission haze had more than
ample time to finish their work ana
make a final report, and it appear
ing to my satisfaction that this has
not been done, and that said commits
sion 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 1.-THE said parties Of the first
part In their negotiations Of suits in
behalf of the parties Of the second
part or the State of South Carolina,
are hereby clothed with full power,
subject alone to the approval Of the
attorney general of said State, to Of
fer to any of the parties involved,
immunity from prosecution upon
such terms and conditions 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 delicate power Of the State
to give pardon and immunity to vio-
| fators 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 fail to ind any
constitutional or statutory power
vested. Much delay and loss, under
provisions 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 practical
ble."
Therefore, they have been negll-
gent in the discharge Of and shown
plainly incapacity for the duties re-
quired of them; and, taking into con-
sideration all Of the circumstances
and facts in regard to the delay and
neglect in winding up the affairs as
provided for in the act, and in Wow
Of the fact that all moneys have not
been turned over to the State treas
urer, and this being further neglect
Of duty, and showing clearly inca
pacity and indisposition to do the
work as the act provides, "at the
earliest date practicable"-it being
four (4) years since said act was ap-
proved-and for divers other good
and sufficient reasons to me appear
ing, and;
Whereas, an act to further provide
for winding up the affairs Of tile
State dispensary, ETC., approved the
fourth day Of March, A. D. 1909, pro-
yides, THAT the governor is hereby
authorized and empowered to remove
any member OF the said commission
whenever he may deem 1t for the
public interest to do So" and I now
deem 1t for the public interest to
! do so.
Therefore, by virtue Of the power
vested in me by the constitution Of
the State OF South Carolina and the
laws, l do hereby remove w. ]. Muir
ray Of Colum bia, South Carolina,
from the office or position Of mem ber
| of the State dispensary commission,
or of the commission for the disposl-
| tion Of all property connected with
the State dispensary and to wind up
its affairs, and I hereby revoke and
declare null and void the commission
Of w. ]. Murray, of Columbia, South
Carolina-heretofor issued and un-
der which he is now acting and de-
clare any further act Of his as mem
! Der OF such commission to be null
and void.
A copy Of the above was sent to
each Of the members Of the commls-
sion by registered mail.
| n. ro,pT, Hiy,