Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-05-31
Miseellaaeoas 8sadina.
GRACE AND BLEASE.
Mayors Newspaper Throws Light On
Charleston Situation.

Mayors Newspaper Throws Light On
Charleston Situation.
Under the heading of Graft and
Grafters." Common Sense, the organ Of
the Grace faction in Charleston, pub
lished the following editorial in the is
sue of May 25th:
I'VE are publishing on this page a
letter written to Governor Blease by
Mr. Grace about eighteen months ago.
1t is the first chapter explanatory Of
the relations which have grown ur be-
tween these gentlemen. We ask our
readers to weigh every word of it, be-
causes 1t touches the vital question OF
their government. Before Mr..
Grace agreed to support Mr. Blease,
he asked but one question; and that
was what did the governor II elected,
intend to do toward restoring to
Charleston control over her purely do
mestic affairs? His promise was to
give us the largest possible measure
Of freedom; and upon this assurance
Mr.. Grace exerted every effort toward
his election and toward the defeat of
Mr.. Featherstone, who had in the most
wanton manner in a speech at Hiber-
nian hall during the campaign insulted
| the people Of Charleston by telling
/ them that he did not want their votes
THAT he was Prohibitionist, and II
elected that he would do everything In
his power to take from Charleston her
right to settle the liquor question for
herself. For twenty years this ques-
tion has been a thorn in Charleston's
side. She has been foot-balled by ev-
cry political charlatan who has seen
fit to exploit her before the rest Of the
state, and we leave 1t to every candid
Judge of present conditions to say
whether or not the last condition Is not
worse than the first Purely with the
object In view of working out Charles
toms salvation In this respect Mr..
Grace supported Governor Blease, and
he took nothing for granted. He ex-
acted q definite promise. The promise
Is manifested in Governor Blease's in
augural message, in which he recon-
mends the relief sought. We leave II
also to the people of Charleston to say
whether or not in violation Of Cover
nor Blease's promise 1t was necessary
to put constables here. In spite Of Mr..
Grace's protests, he did It. He not only
put constables here, but Immediately
those constables began a system Of
graft which has never been equaled
even in the worst days Of the state dis
pensary. We make this statement
fearless of contradiction. 1t cannot be
denied We have traced this graft
practically up to the governor himself;
and we say that 1t Is shameless situ-
alton; and back Of 1t all, is-who?
Read and reread the published letter
and Judge for yourself Who repre-
sents decency and honesty In govern
ment in Charleston-Martin or Grace?
Also the Following Copy of Letter
Written by Grace to Blease More
Than a Year Ago.
Charleston, s. c.,
February 18th, 1911.
Hon. Cole l. Blease,
Columbia, s. C.
MY Dear Governor
AS you will see from the enclosed
clipping from the News and Courier OF
this date, you are reported to have
stated inferentially that you intend
appointing constables in Charleston,
and that, at an early date.
Now, governor. as one Of your very
good friends, I want to talk to you
frankly and in writing about this SUBJ
ject, and will proceed upon the old
proverb: IAN ounce Of prevention Ia
better than a pound of cure" 1t were
useless for me to wait until the thing
Is done and then complain. I do not
believe in autopsies. Coupled with this
newspaper report, I can cite you spe-
cific instances coming straight from
the sheriff of Charleston, that you not
only intend to appoint constables In
Charleston, but that you have already
fixed upon the nGme Of Ben Stothart,
who practically holds his commission
now from you, but holds 1t in abey-
ance until you give the final command.
Sheriff Martin told a man In Charles
ton that he (the man in question: need
have no apprehensions about the liquor
situation because he, Capt. Martin,
would be able to protect him through
his intimate relations with Ben Stoth-
art, who was about to be appointed
chief constable. I am also reliably in
formed that Ben Stothart Is, himself,
stating that he has been practically
appointed and is simply waiting for
orders.
All these things, and many others
which are too numerous to mention,
are absolutely inconsistent with what
you have announced publicly at the
Schuetzenplatz in Charleston, and what
you told me and Mr.. Roessler face to
face, to the effect that you would not
appoint any constables in Charleston.
You will recall also that you made the
same statement in the st. Johns hotel,
when Mr.. Heap applied for the posi-
tion.
| I realize, of course. that many very
much interested parties in Charleston
are simply clamoring for the appoint
ment Of constables and that the situa-
tion is being presented to you from
every angle, so that unless you were
absolutely familiar with our local pol
itics you would not discern the hand OF
the real author. But to make long
story short, the whole matter is poll
tics, pure and simple. The city and
county authorities are charged under
the law with its enforcement. 1t Is
probable that for political reasons at
this time they would like to use the
law as they have done in the past, for
all that 1t Is worth. But that anybody
has any honest idea or true purpose to
enforce the law against the sale OF
liquor in Charleston would not be be-
lieved even by child here. Think for
minute. The dispensary law has been
on the statute books for eighteen