The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-25
PAROLE FOR STOKES.
Convicted OF Running Blind Tiger i'm
OrangebHg-Judgc Rice Sentenc-
ed Him 20 Serve Five Years on the
County Chain Gang.

Orangeburg Times and Democrat
The paroling of A. Mack Stokes,
VINO once plead guilty Of violating
the dispensary law, and who was con-
victed last September Of the same Of
fence, and sentenced to five years on
the chain gang Of this county by
Judge Rice, Governor Blease
created no little surprise and consid-
cradle comment on Saturday when it
became known that the Governor had
turned Stokes loose so soon.
Stokes, who is said to have made
| considerable money out Of the blind
tiger business in this city during the
past few years, was hauled up to
| court the first part Of last year on
the charge Of violating the dispen-
sary law. He plead guilty at that
| time and was given a fine on the
| promise that he would quit the bus
mess. But it seems he forgot his
| promise, as he went right back in
| the business.
He was soon hauled up again on
the same charge, and was tried at the
september term OF OF court before
Judge Hayne f. Rice He was con-
victed, but it was found that he had
fled the State, going to Augusta, Ca,
where he remained until last Tues
day when he turned up again. In his
| absence Judge Rice left a sealed sem
tence, which was that he serve five
years on the chain gang of this
county.
Judge Rice made the sentence Sc
we're because Of the fact that it was
the second time Stokes was up be-
fore the court for violating the dis
pensary law. Stokes remained away
until last Tuesday, when he appeared
before Judge Wilson, who was hold
ing court here then, and asked that
the sealed sentence left by Judge
Rice be opened. On hearing the sem
tence read Stokes attorneys gave
notice Of appeal
Judge Wilson fixed his bond at
twelve hundred dollars, but before
his attorneys could perfect the ap-
peal, Gov. Blease sends a parole to
the Clerk of Court for Stokes, and
he was turned loose without being
punished at all. Who was instru-
mental in having Stokes pardoned
or why Governor Blease was in such
hurry to turn him loose, is not
generally known, But the parole
created quite a sensations here, even
on the part of some Of the Govern
ors friends.
Stokes, who is in no way connect
ed with the we'll known family of
that name in this county, was an
active supporter Of Governor Blease
in the last primary. We have heard
it said that his automobile was used
to bring Blease voters to the polls
on the day Of the primary election.
At all events, he seems to stand in
pretty we'll with the Governor, who
certainly did him a good turn when
he saved him from q term on the
chain gang
Turning an almost open violatOr
Of the dispensary law like Stokes
loose on the community without pun
ishment, Governor Belase makes it
very hard to enforce the dispensary
law in this city or county. or any
where else for that matter. If 1t
had been Stokes first offence it
would not have been SO bad. But he
had pleaded guilty befores he was
convicted, which makes his case an
aggravated one.
The coming back Of Stokes to re-
ceive his sentence was a great sur
prise to many, but the prompt action
of Governor Blease in turning him
loose explains the matter Stokes
evidently knew before he came back
that he would be pardoned, or he
never would have come back to hear
his sentence, as he had every reason
to believe from his experience with
the courts that it would be a severe
one.