The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-01-17
j. ARCHIE WILLIS
DEFENDS REPUTATION
Replies to the Charge of Governor
Biease made in the Governors Mes.
sage on the Newspaper Libel Veto
Measure,

question of personal privilege Just be-
fore the adjournment of the morning
session of the house yesterday, j.
Archie Willis, the youthful represen-
tatiVe from Laurens county, delivered
dignited address in defense of his
reputation as former proprietor and
editor Of the Belton Times, which the
governor of South Carolina attacked
IN his special veto message to the
house on the libel act Wednesday.
Mr Willis stated that he had re-
ceived a letter signed by "the Black
Hand of South Carolina" threatening
nm with death, if he answered the
charge contained in the special mes
sage of c. l.. Bleaso
MIR. Willis Speaks.
The speech of Mr.. Willis on his
question or personal privilege, pre-
senting aflidavits to prove the truth
of the story, printed by the Bolton
Times in regard to the conduct of G..
IL. Blease toward Miss Mary l.. Rogers
the ticket seller in the Office of tbe
outhern railway at Bolton, follows in
full:
"Mr. Speaker: / rise to question
OF personal privilege, and despite the
fact that I hold in my hand a letter
from the Black Hand of South Caro-
lima as the writer or writer's are
pleased to term themselves, warning
me that If | again pay my respects to
the governor of South Carolina. I shall
be killed in short order, want to
take this opportunity of defending
myself against the uncalled for attack
of his eNcellency in a special message
yesterday, when he took occasion TO
call me liar, to which was added
certain adjectives peculiarly all the
governors own.
South Carolina is calling today for
some one to speak out in defense of
her fair name, and protest against the
unparalleled degradation that is be-
ing heaped upon her by the man who
occupies the chief executives office
and, cost me what it may, I am here
to answer that call. And thank God
that it is to you that | am to have
the privilege of appealing:
Obtaining the Letter.
Before / go further! however.
want to settle the matter Of the ticket
incident at Belton. The governor has
made the charge to you that lied
when | published the account of his
alleged incivility to the young lady
ticket agent, and he has produced a
letter signed by her, which, on the
face of it. seems to substantiate his
claim. When once you understand
how he secured the letter, though
you viii understand little better the
cowardly, underhand methods to
which the governor will resort, when
occasion demands.
Governor Blease, for reasons Of
which you are doubtless aware, is the
pet of certain officials Of tae South
ern railway; at a banquet in New
berry on December 20, 191O,e the
governor made the statement that
because of Supt. Henry A. Williams
friendship for him, the Southern road
would have warm friends in the gov
ernOr's Office for the next two years
Not content with his assurances of
friendship, however, after he had as
sumed his duties as governor, B. L..
Abney, the Southern's division coun-
sci for South Carolina, took up his
residence at the governors mansion.
Are you then surprised that when the
governor, in an unguarded moment,
forgot his alleged usual courteous
manner and treated a lady ticket SELL
or discourteously that when the pub
lie was acquainted of the fact which
was substantiated by AFFIDAVIT from
the young lady, and by one from one
of the best known citizens of upper
South Carolina, man who was a dis
interested onlooker, that the Southern
road should feel it it's duty to take
care Of its own.
Henry A. Williams, Blease's warm
friend, and division superintendent
of the Southern railway, forced the
young lady ticket seller to write the
letter which the governor sent out
yesterday, and when asked why she
had written the letter, with tears in
her eyes, she cried, oh had to do
it. The account published was true,
but had to write the letter" Then
the anidavit that w, F. Harper, of
Bolton, is represented as having
given voluntarily, was made out and
aigned in the nmihern railway,s Of