The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-09-27
STORMY MEETING IN SPARTANBURG
when SUB COMMITTEE MET TUESDAY
ohalp DIVISION between Blease and Jones Members.
and There is Much Wraneins---Serious Irree
ularities Are Disclosed in Popuous
Piedmont Counties

which rendered it necessary also, in
Difference to public opinion, that the
pubic be given an opportunity to put
IN the hands of the committee in.
formation necessary for a proper re-
port. There were three vast sources
of evidence.
| Sources of Evidence
First, information in the hands
OF the contestants and the contestees:
second, reports from people through
out the state who had information
which this committee would not be
able to get unless furnished by the
people who had the information, as it
Is not gifted with the art of mind
reading. and could not possibly inter-
view 100000 voters; third, the records
TO which this committee had access.
10 get the evidence from the pub
hc' therefore, notice and time were
required to be given to the public,
or we would be charged with ipnor.
ing the information that the public
was desirous of furnishing; to get
yne records from which we could de-
.se sssmine at once almost the correct
ness or incorrectness so far as shown
s9gired time. Consequently, ex-
'efclsed the prerogative of distributing
R Rknes work so as to get the records,
a1 OF notifying the public, and of
exlng u time to give us the informa-
i:tsIon it Had.
Replies to Criticism.
IS so1de criticism has grown ont of
a ponement, which I think was
81 81 sltnout considering the situa-
"a .; ;lf existed. AS the report which
llMittfe makes must be used
w al Sdnyi most show an en-
thai Z sssytkadg was ar 4 m scm e. !.
the pu bic would not have fbe r,cbt =
nerea1 Yer to rise up and condemn no
!or nott getting information which it
itsei1 failed to furnish upon invita-
uon sand sufficient time given. That
is tfe reason for the organization of
the work as it was done and for ~.
posoponement of this meeting until
'na. organization could have the op-
portanity to do this work.
criticism of the possible ontcor.
OF the investigation has been made
by our distinguished senior senator
whose advice will always be dulv con-
siaered by me, and whose wisdom T
VIII always respect, whether l follow
MS advlce or not, because I differed
pomtically from the governor.
am not responsible for being on
the committee, was not present wbo,
IL was organized, and for one or two
days declined to serve, but finally
dip reconsider and agree to serve. RI
P4' the gathering of evidence in the
h3'ds OF two committees, the chair
nfl of each of which was q vouno
'vProus methodical attorney, who
never been connected with poli-
II, and separated myself absolute
from such evidence in order tn
Pa the implied inference that our
'of senator said would be drawn.
Ready for Evidence.
mere Is one other result of the
feponement which is evident to ev.
body-the public mind is now in
condltlon to accept the evidence
this committee may bring out
hout unnecessary heat, and to ar
esce IN the logical conclusion
len hope it will reach, whether
or against the contestant; and.
re1ore, the cooling time in addi.
70 the necessary time being given {
iogically, Systematically make an
Kestigation has been beneficial tn 8
nody polite; and in conclusion :
esire to state that it would be the |
icy OF the chairman of this com
tee to collaborate in absolute f
rness with every act of the com i
Ftee In doing that which is right. t
ardiess OF whether it sustains one
ioIdate for governor or the other.
MY position is judicial one. and
is that of every member of the ,
nmlttee, and ] hope that we will =
\ nave from the self-constituted :,
,fisers OF this committee, who y
rang up from all parts of the state =
p who ally themselves on both "
les OF the question, and further v
rPectation of cleavage along the line
u Jones or Blease in this contest
That we shall have full coopera. !.
p In finding right and wrong allv-
/ ourselves on the side of right. .
shall be the spirit that shall =
dftrol me, and l am sure the whole .