The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-12-24
PENITENTIARY GUARD
DENOUNCES BLEASE

Says COnricts are Demoralized rs Re-
suit Of Paroles and Pardons Granted
by the Governor
Columbia. Dec. 20.-A sweeping de-
nunciation Of Governor Blease's ac-
tions with regard to conylcts at the
State ponitentiary was made today by
the captain of the guard at the State
prison.
Capt. w. II. Sondley says che con-
victsSat the prison are now demoral-
lied, that discipline has been serious
ly affected by Governor Bleases parols
and pardons and that call tile average
convict seems to think that it is nee
essary to violate the rules, get punish
ed and slip a letter to the governor
and his parole or pardon will follow"
The statement Of Capt. Sondley
comes by reason Of the granting Of a
parole by Governor Bleasc to Raimon
Paris, a Newberry prisoner, who
charged that he was punished because
The details were given in Thurs
days News and have created u sensa-
tion over the state Many Of the coun-
ty papers have commented on the par
ole. Paris was called to Governor
Blease's office and reiterated state
ment contained in letter that he
had been 'picked" OH by the guards
because he wore Bleasc button and
registered other kicks against the
penitentiary.
Today the storm broke in the state
ment Of the captain Of the guard
81 have been victim of this kind
Of frame-up by convicts and ex-con-
victs long enough. have never been
able to understand why Governor
Blease should take an cxpartc state
ment Of convict to injure man
and state institution when he could
get the facts and the truth by simply
asking" said Captain w. II. Sondley,
denouncing as "lic" the statement
Of the convict named Paris who was
paroled a few days ago, following a
letter the convict wrote to Governor
Blease that he was being punished
because he wore Blease button.
81 now think the time has come for
me to speak out" added Capt. Sondley.
when it comes to discharging my du-
ty as an officer Of the penitentiary |
trv M nfc l,,,t 7 CT
fess that I did show this man some
consideration on account Of being
from Newberry, my native county, by
making him trusty water boy. This
lasted as long as he proved worthy but
when he violated the rule, called
him down"
"When he said his downfall and
punishment was caused by his wear
ing button with Gov Bleasc's picture
on it, blacker lie was never uttered"
Capt Sondlcy pointed out that the
case Of Paris was submitted to Col
Griffith. the, superintendent, before
final action/was taken and the punish
ment inflicted was by the superntend-
ents direction. The cell in which
Paris was placed, says Capt Sondlcy,
was the mans regular cell, cas- COM
Portable as any other in the building"
The captain Of the guard continued:
81 had no desire to innict any greater
punishment than solitary confinement.
In the discharge Of my duty as cap
tain OF the guard I have always tried
to be just and fair In administering
discipline and have never knowingly
inflicted any greater punishment than
though the case deserved"
Commencing Col. ID. j. Griffith, the
superintendent OF the penitcntiary,
Capt. Scndley says that "thc pcnitcn-
tiary is presided over by a man who
has devoted his life to the interests Of
South Carolina. whose word Is taken
wherever he Is known, and whose hon
or and integrity stands without a
blcmish."
Capt Sondey stated that he and
the governor were brought up in the
same county and cup to a few months
ago have been strong personal and po-
litical friends"
He added:
under these circumstances does It
not seem that common decency and
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