The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-07-23
Governor Blease Replies
To Augusta Testimony


the acts and doings of the committee
of the general assembly appointed uia-
der a concurrent resolution of the
general assembly, dated January 81.
1905, and of the acts and doings OF
any other person or persons in any
way connected with the affairs OF the
State dispensary, and The investiga-
ton and winding up thereof"
It authorizes and empowers said
committee to summons before it any
person or persons they may deem
proper, and to require such person
or persons to answer upon oath. any
and all questions that the committee
may deem relevant and may PROFOUND
to him or them; and upon the failure
or refusal of such person or persons
to obey such. summons or notice, or TO
answer such question or questions,
such person or persons shall be deem
ed to be in contempt Of the authority
of said committee, and may be im-
prisoned upon the order Of said COM
mittee in the common jail. to be there
held until he or they shall comply
with the order of the said committee;
and, further, that said committee
shall have power to administer nec-
essary oaths, and any person who
shall, after being sworn before said
committee, swear falsely, shall be
deemed guilty Of perjury, and upon
conviction, shall be punished as pro-
vided by law.
A careful reading Of the act will
show you that the title properly ex-=
presses the powers given and the du-s
ties required of the committee, and
this committee has not, and can not
have, any other powers save such
powers as are delegated to it BY the
law-making body which gave it ex-
istence.
Committees Acts Unlawful.
The committee, when it first took
up its duties, although listening to
much hearsay testimony and giving
much regard to mere rusnors, confined
its work to matters connected with the
State dispensary, as specified in the
law under which the committee was
acting; but, later, and when the cam
paign for the, election Of State officlals
was opening up, the committee forgot
the authority given to it and assumed
to itself powers which it did not have.
It began an investigation OF dispensary
matters not connected with the old
State dispensary. 1t went to Charles
ton and attempted to investigate mat
ters connected with the local dispen-
saries of that county and the enforce
ment of the present dispensary law
Still later, when the campaign for gov
ernor had begun to wax warm, when
the speech 1 had delivered at Bishop
vile had been read and was being read
by the voters of the State, the comnis-
sion decided that it had the power not
only to investigate all dispensary mat
ters-past, present and future-but it
took upon itself, without authority OF
law, the right privilege and power TO
investigate one certain public official
and all of this officials conduct, past,
present and future-that Official Is tina
governor of South Carolina. The COM
mittee not only sought Information in
regard to my alleged transactions
with the dispensary system; it has not
only made inquiries as to my conduct
as a State senator several years ago
but it has gone further and has at
tempted, and is attempting, to ex-
anime into my acts as governor OF
your State, especially % matters OF
my approving and vetoing legislation
and the matter of granting and refus-
ing to grant pardons, paroles and COM
mutations. Not only has this COM
mittee nothing to do with matters OF
executive clemency, but the general
assembly of this State, from which
this committee was appointed, mas
nothing to do with the matter of par
dons, paroles and communications. I'm
der the constitution of this State, those
things are left exclusively with the
governor.
Unauestionably, could convince
you, and I believe every lawyer OF
ahility in South Carolina will agree