The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-06-06
GOES FOR COLE
Col. I. B. Fielder Addresses Open Lei
Ter to Governor Cole L. Bls' A $ $

LIBEL SUIT OR A DUEL
Publishes Two Interesting Letters Of
Blease, and Dares Rim to Enter
Suit for Damages.-Promises to
Pay Attorneys Fees If He Sues and
Wins.
The Atlanta Constitution Saturday
published a most sensational open
letter addressed ITO Cole L. Blease'
and signed by Thomas B. Fielder.
This letter follows one OF more
general character addressed to many
newspapers.
Charges OF the gravest nature are
made against the governor OF South
Carolina, and he Is challenged to go
into the United States courts for
redress. Two letters signed "Cole"
alleged to have been addressed
to a liquor establishment, one ask.
ing for pay for services and the 9TH
er acknowledging the receipt of $500
and expressing doubt of Hubs"
reliability in money matters, are
printed. 1t is distinctly shock
ing to South, Carolinians to have
coward or thief" applied to the gov
ernor Of this State.
While the matter has been publish
ed in responsible newspaper, we do
not fees warranted in reproducing
the language conveying criminal
charges until there is more light
shed. Mr.. Fielder should be made
to prove his charges or else suffer
the penalties for gross libel.
He says in part:
If the charges I make are false,
they are libelous per Sc, and 1 am
suably solvent.
Moreover, with apologies to the
shade CT my departed ancestors,
in modssty CD claim to be your
equal, and If you are aggrieved by
the charges, it will be my pleasure to
meet you at such time and place
without the confines of your State
that may suit your convenience, to
the end that abundant opportunity
may be afforded to redress your
grievances.
If my charges are groundless and
libelous and you do not wish to seek
personal satisfaction, you can insti-
tute suit, against me in the United
States court in the city of Atlanta
should it be objected, however, that
this is my home county, then in any
of the subdivisions of the district.
AS soon as suit is filed I herby
promise and agree, in order to facil-
itate and expediate the same and by
way of circumventing any excuse you
may offer for inaction, that I will
acknowledge service and will enter
into vecogni0anoe with good and ap-
proved security in an amount cover
ing the sum sued for, the fees OF
your counsel and the cost of court,
together with your personal expenses
and ths expenses Of your witnesses;
the only condition of the bond be
that you shall finally prevail In the
litigation.
An investigation of this court will
disclose that it is presided over by
a distinguished jurist, who, in the
administration of the laws, knows
neither friend nor foe, and while his
decisions are occasionally reversed,
they abound in such rigid integrity
that they are universally interpreted
to be without variableness or shad-
ow Of turning"
Then follow the direct charges on
which i3lease is invited to base his
suit for libel. They affect his con-
duct while senator from Newberry in
dealing with persons selling supplies
to the State dispensary.
Here are two letters as presented
by Col. Fielder:
use you own languages: From
the "mountain of evidence in my
possession I submit for your consid-
Grafton "a few grains of sand" In
doing so I omit the name of the ad-
dresse: ....
Dear sir: I am greatly surprised
that you failed to call upon me dur
ing your recent visit to Columbia
and arrange the matter as promised.
Spoke. to Hub about 1t and he re-
ferred me to you. Have performed
ali services as agreed, both as to mat
ters pending here and as to the last
purchases by the board. Let me hear
from you at once. Read and de-
stroy.
Yours very truly,
fs,ened) "Cole.'
This letter was written by you dur
irg a session of the legislature of
the State of South Carolina, in the
month of February, 1905. to the re-
preventative. of we'll know liquor
house which has had large transac-
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