The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-07-05

ington and set forth that an innocent
man had been convicted another peti-
ton, signed by all the jurors in the
case, set forth that they, after re-
Election, "feel that there was room for
substantial doubt" as to the negro's
guilt, moreover, Geo. Bell Thinner
man, solicitor, indorsed the papers as
follows: "I am frank to state that
the evidence in this case was not free
from some doubt as is usually in such
cases, circumstances were relied up
on, together with negro detectives
testimony. 1t is case deserving con-
sideration."
Gov. Blease submitted, upon the
case of the negroes, Hayes Dennis and
Dennis Davis and Jesse Sumter, con-
victed of highway robbery, commit
ted in Richland county on a Jewish
peddler, several documents which he
said had moved him to the exercise of
clemency. One was a letter from
Christie Bennet, formerly solicitor,
whom the governor described as be-
ing at present "Judge Jones' cam
paign manager in Richland county,"
which letter Mr.. Bennett urged favor
able action on the petition for par
don. Mr.. Bennett said the victim Of
robbery spoke little English and could
not make himself perfectly under
stood.
The Davis negro had served over
two years, the negro Sumter longer
period. Judge Hydrick, before whom
the defendants were convicted, recon-
mended pardon for Davis and q par
don for Sumter.
Gov. Blease said he had no apology
to make for freeing the negro Henry
Davis of Salters. He had sufficient
reasons and he acted on them. 1t was
q lie to say he pardoned Davis. He pa
rolled him, with directions that he was
to leave the State at once, but If he
ever returned he was to be recon-
mitted to the penitentiary for the rest
of his life. "Any way said the gov
ernnor, che had killed another ne
gro and South Carolina was the gamer
in the case, as we'll as sent Davis
away"
Gov. Blease took notice today Of
two recent newspaper articles re-
ferring to him. One was a communi-
cation from Leroy Springs Of Lancas-
ter, in which Mr.. Springs denied a
charge he said Gov. Blease had made,
to the effect that he was contributing
funds for the campaign of Judge
Jones. The governor said he had
never charged Mr.. Springs with finan-
cling Judge jones' campaign. He had
only read to an audience letter writ
ten by Judge Jones' campaign man.
ager, j. VIM. Thurmond, to a man
who had asked for some Jones cam
paign money. Mr.. Thurmond in this
letter asked him to take up the mat
ter with Mr.. Springs. The governor
said he did not construe this letter,
but if Mr.. Springs was not financing
Judge Jones campaign it was curious
that a request for Jones' campaign
money should be referred to Mr..
Springs by Judge Jones' campaign
manager.
Another article was a communica-
tion from a negro minister, saying
Gov. Blease had advised negro au-
dience in Columbia to stand on their
rights and if white men came to their
homes and act indecorously "Shoot
hell out of them" "Don't you know
that's dirty ,stinking lie?" said the
governor.
Gov. Blease received considerable
applause when he retired and was pre-
sented large floral horseshoe by
ladies of Lynchburg.
The presiding officer at the meet
ing was A. C. Kinds of the Kingstree
bar, who acted in the place of the
county chairman, P. H. Stoll.
j. Fraser Lyon, attorney general,
was the first speaker of the day. He
spoke of his fight against grafters
and of his successful defense of South
Cardinals suffrage laws before the
federal supreme court in the Pink
Franklin case. He refrained from
criticism of his opponents except that
he said he was not seeking to dis
credit them. 1.-TWO of them," he said
~ have the highest respect for. But
however honorable they may be, is
this the time, do you think, to repu-
diate, by your votes, the adminis-
tration have behind me?" Mr.. Lyon
was heartily applauded.
Thos. H. Peoples said he was not
Seeking to cry down the learned at
tnrnau eranaral - hut xuas aalincx olaa-