The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-02
STOTHART VIGOROUSLY
DENIES GRAFT CHARGES
TELLS GOVERNOR HE COURTS
FULL INVESTIGATION.
Blease Expresses Belief StothaFt is
Honest, But Will Have Solicit4r
Make Investigation.

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Honest, But Will Have Solicit1r
Make Investigation.
B. H. Stothart, chief constable at
Charleston, whom ]. P. B. O'Neill, a
liquor dealer, swore he paid "protec-
ton" money to by slipping under the
door, says, in a letter to Governor
Blease that he Is willing to accept the
proposition that If any two men, can
be found who swear that they gave
him graft, and Ex-Mayor Rhett states
that he will believe them on oath, the
governor dismiss him from Office, He
says that he will not tender his rsslg-
nation, for that would be retiring un-
der fire; that he has done nothing
dishonorable. ''The cowardly liars,
who have attempted to injure you over
my shoulders, know il" says Stothart
in his letter to the governor.
Replying, the governor says that ne
believes that Stothart has done his
duty in an honorable way, but that at
the proper time he, the governor, is
going to lay the whole matter before
Solicitor IPeurifoy, with instructions
to make a rigid Investigation, and
when the solicitor makes his report,
''I shall take such action as is best for
the best interest of the enforcement
of the laws of the State" concludes
the governors letter.
Stothart's letter to the governor fol-
lows:
State Detective Office,
Ben H. Stothart, Chief,
50 Society Street,
Charleston, S. c., July 26, 1912.
Hon. Cole. L. Blease, Governor of
South Carolina, Columbia, S. C.-Dear
Sir: notice that Judge Jones in his
speeches, or what he calls speeches, is
continuously referring to me and say
ing that 7 should be removed from Of
flee.
7 beg to say that I court from you
or any fair and just tribunal full and
free investigation of all my acts as
chief constable of the county of Char
lesion. I have absolutely nothing to
conceal from the public and have not
received one cent or one dollar or any
other amount from any source or
sources for illegitimate purposes, or
to attempt to persuade ME or to con-
troll me from doing my full duty.
You know the reports tha: have
given you any money are most ma
licious and foul lies and no man can
tell me so to my face. ! an proud of
my reputation and l am glad that my
character is clean and I am jealous
Of both, and for that reason at the
proper time shall demand a hearing
and full investigation Of the charg-
es preferred against me.
know and you know, and all the
people of South Carolina know, that
these charges are trumped up just at
this time to endeavor to injure you po-
litically. I am more than willing to
accept yohr proposition that if any
two men be found who will swear
that they gave me graft who Ex-
Mayor Rhett will state that he be-
lieves on their oaths, that you immed-
lately dismiss me from office.
I shall not tender you my resigna-
ton. because that would be consider
ed retiring under fire. I have done
nothing dishonorable and the coward
ly liars, who have attempted to in
lure YOU over my shoulders, know it.
Yours respectfully,
(Signed) B. H. Stothart
The governor replied as follows:
July 80, 1912.
Mr.. B. H. Stothart, SO Society street,
Charleston, S. C.-Dear Sir: Your
letter of July 26 received. The same
would have been answered earlier, but
as you know, I have been out on the
campaign and have been very busy.
! 7 have never believed you dishonest
but, on the contrary, believe thatyyou
have always done your duty and in
an honorable way I think the propo-
sition is entirely fair.
At the proper time I shall turn this
entire matter over to Solicitor Peurl-
| foy and ask him to make thorough
investigation thereof, with instruc-
tions TO prosecute any violations OF