The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-25

Atlanta attorney, who was the legal
adviser of the old dispensary winding
up commission in South Carolina, did
not go to South Carolina to testify be-
fore the legislative committee, now in
vestigating every phase of the dispen-
sary and it's affairs, because he felt
that he could not do so without per-
sonal risk.
Mr.. Fielder says so himself in a let
ter which he wrote Senator H. B. Car
isle, chairman of the committee, in
reply to the committees letter urging
him to arrange to come to Columbia
at an early date to give testimony. In
his letter Mr.. Fielder declares Cover
nor Blease, OF South Carolina, who has
threatened him with arrest, "is Sc
riously involved in the affairs of the
dispelsary."
The investigating committee, believ-
ing Mr.. Fielder was in possession of
important information concerning the
dispensary, and its officials wrote him
on May requesting that he set date
upon which it would be convenient for
him to come to Columbia and testify.
Mr.. Fielder replied with the statement
that for reasons which are entirely
satisfactory to myself, but. which
do not wish to disclose at this time,
prefer to postpone the matter of Civ
ing my evidence to a later date. When
am ready to appear and testify
will notify YOU
Then the committee wrote Mr.. Eel
der to arrange to appear before it at
an early date, in order that the, inves-
tigation might be concluded. In reply
Mr.. Fielder said:
after thoroughly considering the
matter, | have reached the conclusion
after consultation with numerous
friends both of South Carolina and OF
Georgia, that | could not, without per
sonal risk, visit the city of Columbia
to testify before your committee in
relation to the affair of the late South
Carolina dispensary.
Why He Did Not Go.
"The governor of your State, who
is seriously involved in the affair OF
the dispensary and whose connection
Herewith the facts in my possession
will conclusively establish, has it
within his power, through instrument
talities which he is unscrupulous
enough to employ, and which would
necessarily involve some personal
peril in visiting Columbia at this time
While | feel safe in saying that
LOSSES all reasonable courage neces-
sary if placed upon an equal footing
with him, yet, in view Of the disad
vantage at which I would be placed
feel that / should not at this time
take the risk. The reasons for the
conclusion reached will be amplihe
when do appear before your commit
tee.
IF satisfactory to your committee
/ would prefer to give my evidence ant
submit the facts in my possession tc
your committee after the August pri-
maries, when the act OF appearing
would not be open to the criticism
that it was done for political pur-
poses."
The committee made answer by de-
claring it's Indifference to political
conditions and urging that Mr.. Fielder
arrange to give his testimony as early
as possible so that the investigation
might be closed. In this letter the
committee wrote "in view OF your sug-
gestion that your coming to Colum-
bia would be attended with some per-
sonal risk, it will suit the committee
to meet you either in the city of Au-
gusta or the city of Atlanta at such
early date as you may name"
Mr.. Fielder suggested July and
at the meeting Tuesday the commlttee
adopted his suggestion and selected
Augusta as the place for the hearing.
Quarterly Conference.