The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-07-19

VI liS uoSuiiieIitdTy eNiuence OHereQ
by Mr.. Fielder to the investigating
committee, which he read to get it in
the shape of sworn evidence, was ga
thered by Mr.. Wilson of Charles
ton," who in reality is Detective Bal
lie of Burns force by use of the die
tagraph and in personal conversation.
Fielder in his testimony said evil
SON. was himself very popular with
the gang" in Charleston and became
one of them; that he was looked upon
as big gambler, schemer and pro-
moter.
Documents put in evidence were
as follows, showing that Blease got
$4,000 for pardoning Rudolph RADON
got the bulk of the $4,000 month
protection money from Charleston;
was paid $500 by railroads for killing
Legislation in the general assembly;
that he was paid $3.50 for killing the
first effort to have the dispensary in
vestigated:
Two Thousand Dollars for Pardon.
document No. ~
Ben H. Stothart, chief constable,
appointed by Blease, stated at the
time of his appointment to the posi-
ton, it was understood that protection
should be given to the blind tigers
operating in the city of Charleston,
provided they would pay a stipulated
sum per month to him; that this sum
amounted in the aggregate to be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000, per month;
that as soon as the collections were
made he deducted his commissions
for making the same and would per-
sonally take the balance to Columbia,
S. c., and pay it over to the governor.
He stated further that protests had
been made to the governor against
these collections. by interested par
ties, but that the governor would
had been made upon the governor for
his dismissal, but that he felt per-
fectly secure in his job, for the gov
ernor was q man of independence and
had the power to do as he pleased
about it
Also that the governor had issued
pardon to one Rudolph RADON, a
blind tiger man Of the city Of Char
lesion U believe this is the name)
rceiving therefor the sum Of $4,000
in cash. The said Stohtart stated that
which resulted in the pardon of this
man.
This conversation occurred in the
Argyle Hotel in the city of Charles
ton, after the said Stothart and party
had had several drinks together in
the blind tigers of the city of Char
lesion.
Five Hundred From Roads.
document No. y
During the time that Cole L. Blease
represented Newberry County in the
State senate, Gentleman by the
name of w. Charleton Wright, who
came from Savannah, Ga, whose
brother was division superintendent of
one of the railroads, perhaps the Sea-
board Air Line, with headquarters in
Columbia, and who came to Columbia
as private secretary of P. 1. Wells, su-
transferred from that position to the
position as private secretary of the
general counsel Of the general counsel
of the Southern Railroad.
Mr.. w. Charleton Wright was in
terviewed at length in the city of
Columbia, and discussed conditions
obtaining there during his incumben-
cy as private secretary of the gen
eral counsel of the Southern Rail
road. He discussed at length the
dishonesty of Senator Cole l.. Blease.
The most pertinent statement made
by him which he quoted literally is
as follows:
"Why of course, I know he is
a crook. When was working for Alb
ney | handed him check in the
ante-room of the serate chamber on
one occasion for $500, as compensa-
tion for his service in defeating a
pending bill affecting the interests of
the railroads"
Blease Fixed Protection Schedule.
document No. 81
Henry Hasselmeyer, whose place
of business is near the market, in
the City of Charleston, upon being
asked how the blind tigers in the city
of Charleston were getting on, his re-
ply was: eve elected Cole Blease
governor and we now have full pro-
lection"
Asked as to the method by which
protection was obtained, he stated
that shortly after the governors i'm
auguration, the chief Of the constabu-
larry force called to Columbia for
conference with the governor it was
agreed as to the amount that each
blind tiger in the city of Charleston
should pay monthly for protection.
On the return Of the chief consta-
BILE to Charleston he called upon the
president of the local brewery and
told him that he wished to see him in
conference. that he had a proposition
to make to him which was authorized
by the governor, asking him when it
would be satisfactory to see him. The