The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-10-02
,s by American Press Association.


of the State, that what was done he
wanted everybody to know; that he
was heartily in favor of holding public
meetings, but that he did not propose
to continue under such conditions. He
moved that unless quiet was speedily
restored the committee 90 into execu-
tive session. Not until Mr.. Sam ].
Nichols, of this city, arose, however.
was there assurance that the commit
tee would be able to proceed. Mr..
Nichols said: Gentlemen. you all
know what my politics are. We are
here to investigate fraud charges. l
don't believe they've got it, but for my
sake, for the sake Of Spartanburg and
for the sake Of Cole L. Blease, keep
quiet" Mr.. Nichols was appluaded, and
quiet practically reigned.
Following Mr.. Nichols, Mr.. John T.
Duncan, of Columbia, also contest
ant in the proceedings, made some
what extended remarks on the situa-
ton. He was called to order by the
chairman, who stated that the commit
tee wished to get down to business.
"Give him all the time he wants,
advised Mr.. Greer
eyes," said Mr.. Nichols, 1--WE want
to hear what John Duncan has to say
Mr.. Duncan INDUCED in the predic-
ton that the committee would do one
of two things: order second primary
| for Governor or declare Cole L. Blease
the nominee upon the strength OF the
first primary. He believes the COM
mittee will take the latter course.
The Evidences Submitted
notwithstanding the fact that the
meeting was largely talk fest, tan
gible evidence in the form of affida-
Wits was submitted for consideration
of the probers. Possibly the most
specific allegations and the most near
ly complete report comes from Aiken
county, where each precinct in ques-
ton is taken UP and the charges made
and sworn to in affidavits. By motion
it was decided to take up the counties
of the western division of the state
those under the direction Of Mr.. Park
and hear the reports from these. Be-
ginning at Spartanburg, the counties
of Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Bam-
berg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee,
Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood,
Hampton, Jasper, Laurens, Lexington,
Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saludal
and Union we're heard from. There
was little that is new In the evidence
submitted, most Of the charges having
been published at various times since
the primary. However, the charges
are made and sworn to In affidavits
The reports were heard today not
precisely In the form OF sworn EVIL
dence, but more to lay q foundation
for proceeding, to give all parties
concerned, as the chairman stated, an
opportunity to learn where they ere
at" Each county will be taken up
separately later, evidence produced
and witnesses heard.
IRREGULARITIES In Spartanburg
As specific allegations, the charges
from Spartanburg County may be
cited as an example. The citizens
committee appointed by County Chair
man e. L. Archer, reported that
canvass Of little more thar half the
votes of the county revealed the facl
that there were about three hundreo
and fifty names on the various pol
lists of persons who had apparently }
voted twice, at different polls, of mi
nors and negroes, and Of citizens OIL
other counties who had no legal rlgh'
to vote. Other irregularities were
pointed out, including the fact thai
some of the managers had not been
sworn and had not required the voters
TO take the oath. 1t is estimated tina,
at the present rate, about six hundrec
names of this character will be founo
in Spartanburg, when the work Is
completed. o
Fraud Charged in Greenyille
Charges of fraud in Greenville coun'
ty were contained in report from
committee headed by Mr.. Avery Pat
ton. While very general in its ale
cations, the report states that speclne
proof will be produced If the com
mittee desires it. 1t Is confidently te'
lieved here that the probe in Green
Vile will be productive of more sen.
sations than any other county, a1o
that the committee in that county mas
quite a good deal of information tc
submit. In today's report it is statee
that one box alone in GreenVllle, the
Greenville Central Club, there was
every reason to believe that con
siderable proportion Of the 75o votes
least were fraudulent. The use o.
fictitious names and the voting o.
dead men" were pointed out. Many
who heard the Greenville report were