The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-24

Der OF pardons and parols since he
mas been governor of South Caro-
INA" asked Commissioner Carey.
i am not familiar with the ele-
fhehts or the other cases. but in the
lew was connected with he was soi
imposed upon, and ii the others were
as meritorious as mine. i'm none has
he been imposed upon" replied Mich
OILS.
Asked as to the statement reported
In the dictagraph record that if
blease were elected TO the United
states senate, he (Nichols) would in
TWO years be elected governor. the
witness laughed and said:
THAT shows / was drunk. for if |
should be elected governor in two
years. l could not qualify, for am
too young" There was considerable
laughter
Mr.. Nichols said he knew little of
the DeFOrd case, except what he
got from Reed. the detective.
He said, that on investigation he
mad found that c. p. Sims did not
represent DeFord, the prisoner repre-
senting himself, not being able to paw
for an attorney.
K. II. Carson. an attorney of
Hpartanburg, was the next witness
He testified of the trial and physical
condition of DeFOrd and said. from
his knowledge, and if his condition
now Is as it was when he last had
report on it, he thought he needed
pardon, and he said under the cir
cumstances he thought there was
nothing unprofessional in laying
petition for DeF'ord's pardon before
the governor. Several witnesses tes-
titled that DeFord was suffering from
tuberculosis and had other intirmi-
ties.
Magistrate r. j. CAN'T was the
next witness. He testified that on the
day of the interview Mr.. Nichols was
fighting drunk" He gave as his
opinion that there was nothing un-
professional in laying the pardon pc
tition before the governor.
Affidavits from Chas p. Calvert
and r. b. Paslay were introduced to
show that Nichols was drunk on the
trip to Baltimore.
Mr.. Nichols testified that he want
ed Reed. the detective, here TODAY
to appear that he might contradict
him in case the detective said Nichols
was not drunk during the testimony
Recorded in the dictagraph, and he
also wanted to contradict his state
ment, as reported IN an Atlanta pa
per- that telegram had been sent
to Chicago by Nichols telling, Reed
to come to Spartanburg and close the
deal"
Judge Geo. w. Nichols, father of
the first witness, was the second wit
ness. He testified that on the day
of the interview in the Hotel Finch
had: taken place he saw his son more
drunk than ever before.
c. P. Sims, Of Spartanburg, was
the third witness. He told of cir
culating the petition for the pardon
of DeFord, and said he thought the
prisoner in such bad physical condi-
tion that he should be pardoned. He
offered to get an affidavit to show
DeFord had been wrongfully con-
victed.
Sims testified Of Sam j. Nichols
drunken condition on the day Of the
interview, and Of having been suspi-
ciOus as to the doing of Porter He
spoke Of his high esteem Of Govern
or Blease and said he knew of no
ernor. He said he doubted that
Porter" was honest but he was will
ing to risk" the job for a good fee
The direct charge of graft in con-
nection with the Charleston whiskey
situation and the defense as put up
sam J. Nichols. the Spartanburg at
torney. to the charge Of Il pardon
deal We're the features of the session
yesterday of the committee of the
general assembly Of South Carolina
that is investigating the affairs of
tie old state dispensary.
The committee made a ruling YES
tcrday that will have an important
bearing on all witnesses to be sum
moned in the future with reference
to the alleged system Of collecting
"protection fund" from the "hlnd
tigers" of Charleston. Witnesses in