The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1912-06-06
GRAFT EVIDENT
SAYS GRACE
Charleston Mayor Writes Gov.
Blaase Concerning Rottenness
of Gsr.es'on Constabulary

VI SCl .So-O SOiioloOOA
Under the heading of Graf
and Grafters" Common Sense
the organ Of the Grace factio'
in Charleston, published tn
following editorial in the issu
of May 25th:
I'VE are publishing on thi
page a letter written to Governo
Blease by Mr.. Grace abou
eighteen monts ago. It is thu
first chapter explanatory of th'
relations which have grown vi
between these gentlemen. We
ask our readers to weigh every
word of it, because it touches
the vital question Of their self
government Before Mr.. Grace
agreed to support Mr., Blease, hi
asked but one question; and thai
was what did the governor il
elected intend to do toward re
storing to Charleston contro
over her purely domestic affairs
His promise vas to give us the
largest possible measure of free
dom; and upon this assurance
Mr.. Grace exerted every effort
toward his election and toward
the defeat of Mr.. Featherstone,
who had in the wanton manner
in a speech at Hibernian hall
during the campaign insulted
the people of Charleston by tell
inc them that he did not want
their votes-that be was a pro-
hibitionist, and if elected that
he would do everything in his
power to take from Charleston
her right to settle the liquor
question for herself. For TWEEN
ty ears this question has been a
thorn in CharIeston's side. She
has been foot,balled by evely
political charlatan who has
seen fit to exploit her before the
rest of the state, and we leave
it to every candid Judge of pres
ent conditions to say whether or
not the last condition is not
worse than the first. Purely
with the object, in view of work
ing out Charleston's salvation
in this respect, Mr.. Grace sup
ported Governor Blease, and he
took nothing for granted. He
exacted definite promise,
The promise is manifested in
Governor Blease's inaugural
message, in which he recon-
mends the relief sought. We
leave it also to the people OF
Charleston to say whether OF
not in violation of Governor
Blease's promise it was neces.
sary to put constables here. In
spite of Mr.. Grace,s protests, he
did it. He not only put con.
stables here, but immediately
those constables be gan system
of graft which has never beer
equalled even in the worst days
of the state dispensary. We
make this statement fearless OF
contradiction. It cannot be de-
MED. We have traced this
graft practically up to the gov
ernOr himself: and we say that
it is a shameless situation; anc
ba k of it all, is who! Reac
and reread the published letter
and Judge for yourself. Who
represents decency and honesty
in government in Charleston
Martin or Grace!
ALSO THE FOLLOWING COPY OF !
LETTER WRITTEN BY GRACE TO
BLEASE MORE THAN a
YEAR AGO
Charleston, S. c.,
February 18th, 1911.
Hon. c.. Z. Blease Columbia S. G
Ny Dear Governor-As yor
will see from the enclosed clip
ping from the News and Courie,
of This date Won are reDOrted K
have stated inferentially tina
you intend appointing constable:
in Charleston, and that. at al
early date.
Now, governor, as one of you
very good friends, l want t
talk to YOU frankly in wit
ing about this subject, vii
proceed on the old proverb
An ounce of prevention is bet
ter than & pound of cure. |
were useless for me to wait un
til the thing is done and the1
complain I do not believe il
autopsies. Coupled with TN
newspaper report, | can cit