New-York tribune., 1912-07-14
SAY PARDON WAS BOUGHT
Witnesses Accuse Gov. BleaSe
of South Carolina.
DETECTIVE TELLS OF TRAP
Testifies He Arranged with Co.
Between to Pay for Re-
lease of Convict.

Augusta, Ga, July l3-More sensational
testimony charging Governor Cole l..
Blease, Of South Carolina. with official cor
ruption, was introduced before the dispen-
sary investigating committee of the state
Legislature at to-day's hearing. A. 5. Reed,
a Burns detective, and Thomas B. Fielder,
an Atlanta attorney. were the principal
witnesses After the hearing was ad-
iourned, r. b. Carlisle, chairman of the
committee, asserted that the newly adduced
charges would be thoroughly investigated
Detective Reeds testimony included rec
ords said TO have been taken with tele-
phonlc device relative to negotiations for
the alleged purchase OF convicts pardon
from the South Carolina penitentiary. The
records, Reed testified. were of conyersa-
tions between the detective and Sam j.
Nichols a Spartanburg attorney, reputed
to be a go-between for Governor Blease.
Reed testified that James Johnson,
coachman, with several aliases, serving
ten-year sentence In the penitentiary for
robbing a safe of ss,OOO was the convict
about whom the negotiations were con-
Quoted After arrangements with Johnson,
according TO the detectives testimony, he
called on Nichols and informed the latter
that the convict was heir to large estate
but could only become a beneficiary by
gaining his pardon.
The detective testified that Nichols was
interested and the witness agreed to pay
the attorney a good fee. AS an evidence
of good faith, the detective stated, he gave
Nichols n check for $500.
Reed then read records said to have been
taken by the telephone device OF con-
versations he had with Nichols in Spartan
burg. and at the New Willard Hotel in
Washington, on June 2s, 1912 According to
the records, Nichols told Of his influence
with Governor Bease, and named the
terms on which he would obtain the re-
lease Of the convict. The amount was ten
tatively fixed at $4,000 or $4,000.
Said Part was for Governor.
The record, as read, showed that Mich
oils repeatedly referred TO the amount OF
the proceeds which would go TO Governor
Blease for signing the pardon On two oc-
casions this sum was stated at 5000. Ac-
cordng 10 the record, Nichols was TO re-
ceive 5000 and his law partner. c. H..
Sims, 5000.
Several kilograms from Nichols to Reed
were introduced in evidence, one or which
was to the effect that Nichols had left
Spartanburg TO confer with Blease about
the pardon.
When Reed had concluded Thomas b..
Fielder testified that a certain amount OF
money had been put on deposit with the
understan nding that II was to be released 10
Nichols's order as soon as Reed received
a cipher telegram from Nichols stating
that the convict had been pardoned
I'VE know" testified Fielder, that Mich
oils left Spartanburg TO confer with Gov
ernor Blease, that he saw Blease at Barn
well Friday, and was closeted with the
Governor at Blackville Friday night.
I'VE have been unable TO locate Nichols
to-day, however,
Mystery surrounding the adjournment Of
the hearing from this morning until this
afternoon was cleared up by Mr.. Fielder on
the witness stand. He stated he had ex-
pected Governor Blease to sign Johnson's
pardon during that time. and for that rea-
son the postponement was taken.
At the conclusion of Felders testimony
the hearing of the committee was indeh-
nitely adjourned.