The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-02
Clear Statement by the Governor in Which He Shous
The Absurdity of the "Charges, % And the Malice
and Spite Behind Them.

Following is the full text Of Cover
nor Bleases address at the Chester
campaign meeting, in which he sub
mitted his reply to the so-called "tes'
timony" taken at the Augusta session
of the dispensary commission:
Fellow South Carolinians:
On Friday, July II, and on Satur-
day, July 13, a committee, appointed
by the State legislature, commonly
known as the dispensary Investigating
committee, held meetings in the city
of Augusta, Ga. The acts of that
committee and the matters brought
out before it have been sent broad
cast over your State, and to all other
parts of the United States as we'll.
Every daily newspaper IN South Car
olina,' and practically all the weekly
q newspapers, have carried accounts OF
the meetings held on those two days.
In a number of newspapers my name
has been carried in large headlines
headlines not setting forth even the
truth of the reports appearing in the
paners themselves. I candidly state
that have been inclined to pay no
attention to the ISLANDERS, funers and
insinuations-none Of the matters re-
ferred to should be digniied by be-
ing styled "charges" have ap-
peared in the newspapers, as coming
before this committee, but 1t has oc-
curred to me that it is not me and
nv good name alone that are involved,
but the good name and honor OF the
Palmetto State and her great people
are also affected. AS your chief ex-
ecutive, it is my duty 70 defend my
State and my people; therefore, l
shall. at this time and in this man
ner. lay bare before you the damnaDle
conspiracy to cause che people OF
South Carolina to lose confidence in
nv honor and to tarn!sh the proud
name of the greatest commonwealth
in the American union.
On July IS, in the public prints a
nrominent citizen of this State, who
has been a personal friend OF Ira b.
Jones, an opponent of rline in the
race for governor. and who has re-
Gently been giving Mr.. Jones his polltl-
cal support, commenting OH the rot
+enness of the Augusta proceedings,
demanded that Mr. Jones denounce
those proceedings. Presumably in
reply to that demand, Mr.. JONES' at
the camapign meeting in Columbia on
July 19, announced that he approved
the conduct and actions at Augusta.
Differing from the view taken by Mr..
Jones. I am now bound to give my
reasons for my disapproval, that the
neople may pass judgment between
Mr.. Jones and me, and our respective
oninions. MY statements must neces-
sarilv be of some length, but l ask
Won to become informed Of every word
of If remembering that it is not one
tenth as long as the reports Wnlcn
have appeared in the newspapers IN
the attempt to reflect upon your honor
and mine. 1t is my purpose to give
YOU facts in a plain 7lanner-and
shall comment on those facts. My
language, in some instances. must DE
strong, but it is language that gen
tleman can use and must use on such
occasion, for the reason that no other
words will properly describe my
meaning and convey the truths shall
set forth.
Powers of the Committee.
First, I wish to call to your atten'
ton the power given to this dispensarJ
investigating committee by your leg
islature and the duties required of it
refer you to the acts Of the genera
assembly for the year 1912, page 1041
for the law under which this commit
tee is supposed to be proceeding. The
title of that act is as follows:
can act to provide sor> al investi
cation of the acts and doings Of the