The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-03

~ ~Ppoiht iliIl commissioner or aErl-
culture, and the report that have Of
fered Mr.. Watsons position to one or
two others Is absolutely falls. AS to
Mr.. Hudson, he told me omphadcauy
on two occasions that n did NOT want
Watson's position. I am Informed
however. that he would accept tne
position held by Williams.
"As to the letter to Commissioner
Watson. / wrote him that my under.
standing was that he was appointed
comm'ssioner Of agriculture for South
Carolina, and not for the United
states. and that 4 he left the State
again without my permission ]
would declare his Office vacant. and
put some one in it who would staty at
home and attended to It, meant that
and shall carry 1t out to the letter.
Copies OF my letter and his
reply are on file in my office,
to which the newspapers are welcome.
az there are no secrets in the COVER
nor's office. Everything that is done
here Is open and above board, is
placed on the public files. and there
are no secrets from the people.
"As to the next State farm demon
stration agent being acceptable to
toe governor. as 1 understand, this Is
matter In the hands of the United
States department. with which have
nothing to do. / know nothing of
Nr. Bakers candidacy for the posi-
tion. I shall uphold the department
OF agriculture and the farm demon-
stration work. and do everything
within my power to make 1t a sue
cess. And II hal been consulted
this Year In regard to the depart
mcnts. think could have given
some very valuable suggestions, and
possibly saved some people from put
ting themselves In very awkward
positions. But as / have not been
consulted In regard to any matter, I
am In no manner. shape or form, re-
sponsible for the turn affairs have
taken"
When Mr.. watson's term expires,
II will then be time enough for me
to consider whether shall reappoint
him or give the position to some one
else. understand that the consti-
tuition forbids life tenure Of ofice,
and do not presume there Is any ex-
ception made In the case Of the COM
missioner Of agriculture.
II have paroied. pardoned and
commuted good many people. It
has not been intended as a reflection
upon any one. In many instances,
Judge. solicitor and Jurors have sign
cd the petitions. the records are pub
lie and are on file In the Office and
open for inspection TO al, parties, and
the reasons for each viii be properly
Transmitted 20 the genoral' assembly
at the right time. as required by the
constitution. However, II any ons
has been hit. I have no apologies to
make and no excuse to give. I have
done what I conceived to be my
duty. / presume that the other Of
ficers have done likewise
A. d. Hudson requested that the
interview given out by Gov. 3ls1se
be read over to him. and Mr.. Hudson
gave out the following statement:
'Tr my interview with Gov. Blease
some days ago the subject Of the
commissioner OF agriculture was
mentioned only in the connection
that he felt that the present commits
sioner was not doing successfully the
work outlined for him. The question.
of my being a candidate for the DO
sition was not discussed. even re-
motely. and he In no way rendered
me the position--in fact. stated that
unless there be some change in the
present policy Of the office that the
Office would be discontinued. am
I'm no sense a candidate or applicant
either for Col watson,s or pr VII