The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-07-16

method which it was proposed to be
pursued was as follows:
'sThat he should file his bid on bulk
goods. (Here the plan was outlined
showing how much rebate was to be
given and the price to be charged.)
Fielder said that he advised his
client that to enter such combina-
ton would be an infracuon OF the
criminal law of South Carolina.
Later the client, Fielder said, re-
turned and said that Blease and Evans
desired conference to prove to him
(Felder) that it would not be an IN
fraction of the law to enter comol-
nation of such nature.
Saws Rebates Paid.
ssMy information" continued Fielder,
els that after my client declined the
proposition, these two honorable gen.
tlemen applied to the wholesale house
of Blumenthal & Bickert and made
shat arransement with them, and that
thereafter they made visit to Allan
ia. where Monroe Bickert, in accord
ance with the contract, paid rebates
to H. H. Evans and to his counsel.
ssOne other incident that may men
ton in passing" said Fielder, "was
during one of these periodical visits
for the purpose of making collections,
this being rather shady transaction
the collectors of the craft adopted the
rule of getting their rebates III cur
rency and not in CHECKS Mr.. Monroe
Bickert went down to the bank and
brought up four $1,000 bills and hand
ed them over to the Hon. H. H. Evans,
a gentleman that 1 undertook to buy
Eve come to that later) and with his
usual quiet, dignifed way said what
will I do with these yellow backs?
there amt man IN South Carolina
that will know what these bills are. :"
Fielder said that Monroe Bickert
had told him that this transaction ac-
tually occurred.
Fielder read q copy oi q letter. the
original of which WAS male to At
torney Genueral Lyon, concerning
Blease and the late State dispensary
The letter follows:
Blsase Represented Lanahan!
ATLANTA, Ca, March 20, 1912.
sMr. T. B. Fielder, Atlanta, Ga. -
Dear Sir: On Wednesday, the 18th
inst, visited the city of Albany, and
while there net Mr.. B. NJ. Wilson and
had long tall: with him in regard to
dispensary matters in the State of
South Carolina. He stated to me that
it came within his knowledge that
Cole. L. Blease, now governor of the
State had represented, while a State
senator, Lanahan & Co., liquor dealers,
of the city of Baltimore, and had made
large sales to the board of directors,
consisting of H. H. Evans, L. W. Boy
kin and John Bell Towill; that in con-
sequence of certain dissatisfaction
arising in the matter of paying rebates
to the board of directors, it was
decided that instead of continuing to
pay rebates through Blease to the
board, that the rebates as agreed to
between Blease and the board should
be paid through the said B. NJ. Wilson
and that was accordingly done.
''In further conversation with the
said B. M. Wilson, Wilson stated to
me that when the bill was introduced
in the South Carolina legislature to
abolish the dispensary and for an in
vestigation of the system, that the
said Cole. L. Blease, now governor Of
the State of South Carolina, devised
plan to defeat all pending legislation
affecting the dispensary, both as to its
abolition and investigation. The plan
as outlined by Blease was as follows:
Certain liquor dealers were to
raise the sum of $4,000 and pay the
same over to Blease, then membei
of the State senate. This money was
to be used by him with the members
IF the legislature to defeat all legisla
aion affecting the dispensary. 1t was
further understood and agreed that
after the defeat of the legislation as
aforesaid was compassed, that syn
dicate, composed of the said Blease
Nick Block, Of Macon, and others,
should in consideration of the contr:
button that they made, control the en-
tire liquor and beer business with