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

the south Carolina legislative inves-
tigating committee proceeded in vio-
lation of the law which created it;
that IL took testimony from a fugi-
tive from justice. in a locality where
the witnesses were immune from in
dictrnent for perjury, Governor Cole
J.. Blease. at the State campaign
meeting here today. denied speeifical-
iy and in detail the charges brought
against him in the evidence submitted
last Friday and Saturday. at Augusta,
by Thomas b. Fielder and the Burns
detectives.
In addition to his attacks upon
Fielder. whereby he sought to prove
his unworthinecs of belief. the Gov
ernor also paid his respects to De-
tective VIM. J. Burns. to discredit
whom he quoted. from magazine
apticle written by Samuel Gompers.
labor leader. statements which tend
ed TO show that when the Burns
agency failed to discover wrong 1t
manufactured a case.
Governor Blease's statement was
read In a very calm voice, and al
though he warned the people that he
woSld likely use some very strong
language. which the occasion, he
said. demanded. II was patent that his
sympathizers were somewhat disap-
pointed In not being treated to more
hot stun than was contained In the
statement. There were many calls Of
give II him." etc.
IL was further noticeable that ap-
plause was evoked not so much by
the Governors defence Of himself as
by the few strong words he employed
in denouncing his acusers.
Another element was the disap-
pointment of many OF his friends in
not hearing the Governor lambast his
opponent. Judge Jones. This does not
mean that strictest attention was not
accorded. for the audience Of pos
sibly l.100 were intensely interested
In the statement But the absence Of
fire TO stir the feelings Of his hear
ers was more than noticeable In the
effect upon the crowd. A synopsis OF
Governor Biease's statement, In re.
ply to the charges brought by Thos.
Il. Fielder is as follows:
'As your Chief Executive, II is
my duty to defend my State and
my people. therefore. shall at
this time and In this manner lay
before you the damnable conspiracy
to 'cause the people Of South Carolina
to lose confidence in my honor and to
tarnish the proud name of the great
est Commonwealth in the realm"
said Governor Cole l.. Blease In his
statement. issued this afternoon. re-
plying TO the charges brought against
him by Thomas Il. Fielder and De-
tective w, j, Burns, before the dis
pensary investigating committee In
Augusta.
The Governor takes up the charg-
es one by one. disposing of them
with affidavits in several cases. His
reply covers forty-seven typewriter
pages. and the Governor demands"
that the newspapers publish II In full,
else ne says he will charge that they
were leagued with Fielder and the in
vestigating committee.
He says that IL they do publish his
reply In full, Il shall have accom-
plished one purpose. at least. and that
is TO teach these editors one small
lesson In the ethics of Journalism"
. The Governor first discussed the
Act creating the investigating COM
mittee and charges that they have
exceeded their authority and power
In probing into the Charleston graft"
charges and in taking the testimony
OF Fielder and Burns at Augusta. He
dubs the committees act as "unlaw-
full"
Taking up next what he terms
"Felder's motives" the reply charges
that Fielder Is fugitive from justice
and knew OF the Governors informa-
ton that Fielder had been guilty of
attempting Z, form a conspiracy to
cheat and defraud the State. He re-
fers To Felder's charges made against
him. when ne promised to write a
book. as threats that were jokes"
He charges that Fielder having
nothing and being unable To- find
nothing against him, hit upon the
plan Of making case" and employ
ed William j. Hurns and his associ-
at~s. referring To- them collectively as
plenty Of money and sCoundrcls"