The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-13
TURN ON THE LIGHT.
MAKING SEARCHING PROBE OF
STATE DISPENSARY.
Questions Asked by Chief Executive
I'm Special Message are Answered
Clearly and Fully by Members Of
Ansel Dispensary Commission.


Ansel Dispcnsary Commission.
Columbia, March $50 far as
am concerned the charges Of Gov.
Blease are false and they are out
rageous.
: 80 far as 1 know the charges Of
Gov. Blease against the other men,
bers of the commission are equally
s."
These statements were made yes
terday by j. Steele Brice Of York
title. former State senator, and
member Of the old State dispensary
commission. appearing before the
Legislative dispensary commission.
Answering one Cf the questions
proposed by the governor with refer
ence to the commission discussing him
In meeting and expressing fear Of
the incoming administration. Mr..
Brice said that to his knowledge the
governor had never been discussed
at a meeting Of the body, but that
he personally had expressed his opin-
ion OF the new chief executive on
one occasion.
II did say" said Mr.. Brice, that
Blease was the worst man that we
have had in the governors office since
Franklin ]. Moses. That he was not
in sympathy with the work Of the
commission. but was In sympathy al
together with the liquor houses and
the grafters. Since the governor has
seen Mt 10 bring up the question as
to what was said will only say
that told the absolute immaculate
truth" ttit
The session OF the legislative COM
mittee was continued yesterday in
the library at the State House when
Mr.. Brice, DR.. w. ]. Murray, chair
man of the old commission, John Nc
sween of Timmonsville and Attorney
General Lyon gave testimony. The
various questions. as asked by the
governor In his message number 4, to
the general assembly were answered
and disseeted BY the severaI witnesses
who appeared. It was charged by
the witnesses that the various charges
of the governor were groundless and
without base Of fact. The members
OF the committee were asked many
questions so as TO bring out all de-
tails OF the work of the old commits
sion and leave no doubt as to whether
the duties imposed had been car
ried out. All questions were answer
ed freely and frankly.
Members of the committee indi-
Gated yesterday that a most search
ing investigation is to be made of
every phase OF the affairs Of the old
state dispensary. many witnesses are
to be called. Nothing will be left
undone by the committee. The men,
bers Of the Blease investigating COM
, mission will be called according to
members CT the committee and the
expense account Of that body will
very likely be considered at length by
the committee. The names OF all
of the witnesses will not be given out
for the present.
The committee adjourned yester-
day afternoon to meet again next
Thursday. While no official state
ment has been made by the members,
II Is generally believed that T. q. Fell
der. the Atlanta attorney. will be sum-
moned to appear at the meeting next
Thursday. II Is very probable that
James s. Farnum OF Charleston will
also be summoned to appear and give
testimony. The affairs OF the old
state dispensary are being thoroughly
aired and II is the purpose OF the
committee to bring out every detail.
Some grave charges were made In
the message OF the governor and these
Will be proved true or false. A re-
port Is To be made by the committee
within the next several weeks to the
secretary Of State. as provided by the
resolution Of the general assembly.