The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-06-21
MayOr Grace Takes Stand and
Tells of Conditions In His
Home Town.
TRYING TO TRACE GRAFT
TO THE GOVERNORS OFFICE
Testimony Tending to Show Whole
sale Graft in Charleston WhiSkey
Situation Before Investigating Com
mittee-Next Meeting In Augusta
July 8, When T. B. Felder'S TeSti-
mony viii be Taken.

mONy Will Nc ldASu.
The following is the first days tes-
timony of the dispensary graft case,
which meeting was held in Columbia:
John P. Grace, mayor of Charleston,
appeared before the legislative inves-
tigating committee yesterday and
gave some testimony to prove his
charge that graft money had been
traced practically up to the governors
Office. He was on the witness stand
for more than one hour and gave a
detailed account of his relations with
Governor Blease.
At the conclusion of his testimony
he read an affidavit by J. ]. Miller Of
Charleston in which it was charged
that graft had been collected from
the whiskey dealers in Charleston and
turned over to B. H. Stothart, chief
constable.
The following charge was contained
in the affidavit: "The next day or two
this friend, Capt. John Black, came to
me along with Jim Crocker and said:
Miller (or John) as friend of yours,
feel it is my duty to advise you or at
least put you on your guard. l did
not want to tell you last night, but
have been thinking over the thing and
feel that you ought to know it. Ben
Stothart said on the train last night
(although drunk; you know some
times drunk men speak the TRUTH
that, he had been. promised a gasdnn
by the governor if he would put you
and another fellow out of the way.
Charged Wholesale Graft.
The reading of this affidavit was the
main testimony presented by Mayor
Grace. He charged wholesale graz
in Charleston and requested that tn
committee 60 to Charleston and tax
testimony from witnesses that he sal'
he would produce.
"Adjourn and come to Charlesto'
and 7 will furnish the evidence In tn
interest of truth. have a power dow
there which will not require them pu
prompt them to give the testimony'
said Mayor Grace. The commute
took the invitation under considers
tion and decided to meet today
Charleston when the taking OF test
mony will be resumed. Mayor Graz
will be asked TO continue his test
mony and to produce witnesses TO su
stantiate the charge contained
Common Sense to the effect that gra
has been traced to Columbia.
To Call Fielder.
= One of the most important featur
to the session yesterday was the
nouncement by H. B Carlisle, cha
man of the committee, that L. b. +
der was to appear before the co
mittee on July 8. In letter TO
committee Mr.. Fielder suggested
lanta as the place to take the te:
mony.
During the morning the follow
telegram was addressed to Mr.. Eel
bv the committee: Committee r
fers Augusta, July 8, morning at
o'clock. Wire answer Columbia" J."
The following reply was recei
from Mr.. Fielder: "Prefer Atlanta
will meet cOmmlLCee Iii FhoS "''o'
g." The holding of the hearing
Augusta will permit any member
the State campaign party to atte
Miller's Affidavit.
estate of Couth Carolina-Count
Charleston.
"Personally appeared before
John J. Miller, who being duly s%
made oath that the following
are true of his own personal KIN
edge; = ,u;dos IN the citv Of c
lesion. That he is perfectly IAN
with the conditions in ,general IN
city and amohg other things espett
familiar with the actions OF the
constabulary appointed under u TN
ministration Of Gov. Blease. Th
knows personally Ben II: Stot
chief constable; which famill
grew up in this way: ! became
ciated or partner N the M
Stock Company, doing business
city of Charleston, a wholesale
quor business, and therefore
forced to protect my cnstt
through the chief constable, :
art. In other words. l collect
and $40 per month from each
this amount turned over to a p'
of the firm and he in turn q
to Ben Stothart. My first pc
(Coneinued on page 81