The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-19

Mitchells charges against me stand
You will remember that he INDUCES
in all kinds Of insinuations against
me because l wrote to him to help
me have Gov. Ansel placed on the
Peabody board to fill the place made
vacant by the death of Capt VIM. A.
Courtenay giving some Is minutes 10
that part of his speech. The point
he attempted to make against me was.
that while resenting his action in sign
ing that petition in 1909, l was try
ing to get his help to forward the in
terests of Winthrop college. That put
me in bad light, as he intended it
should.
Now, gentlemen, I am able to re-
fute absolutely this unworthy insinua-
ton with documentary evidence. I
have here the printe7 'oceedings of
the Peabody board for March IS, 1909.
which show that Gov. Ansel was
chosen a member of the Peabody
board on that day The letter to which
President Mitchell refers had to be
written before that time. 1 have no
copy of the letter.
Il have here and herewith submit,
correspondence with Gov. Ansel in
June, 1909, which shows that 1 did
not see the petition signed by repre-
sentatives of the State universities in
1909 until after June 80, 1909.
My understanding now is, that that
paper was signed in Atlanta at the
some time during the month Of
March or April.
Now, gentlemen, you see upon
what erroneous suppOsitions a cruel
insinuation can be built. DR.. Mitchell's
| other insinuations and charges in
connection with this matter have just
as little to rest on.
Il have the utmost confidence in
the sense of fair play and square deal
| ing of our people and do not believe
they will allow President Mitchell to
blacken my character because 1 have
been forced to become an unwilling
witness in this matter
The following letter was submitted
by DR.. Johnson:
| president ID. b. Johnson, President
Winthrop College, Rock Hill, S. c.
Dear Sir: l have just been shown
by the Hon. d. w. McLaurin, F. H.
McMaster's letter Of June 27 to you,
and your reply Of July Is.
Il think it an outrage that any
Southern gentleman would stoop so
low as to attempt to take money
from the white institutions of learning
Of the South and place it in the hands
of the free negroes, and / congratu-
late you upon the fight you are maxi
ing for Winthrop; and, if l can assist
You, or if you want a meeting Of the
board or joint meeting of the boards
lege, I will be glad to call it, to he
held here in my office, any day after
next week. l hope that YOU will press
this matter and if possible have the
Peabody board stand to their original
proposition as to Winthrop college.
Very respectfully,
cole L. Blease,
Governor. ="
Replying to questions of the men,
bers of the committee DR.. Johnson
said he had tried to keep down any
fight and that for over 20 years he
had hoped that Winthrop would get
a large portion Of the fund. He wish
ed again to stress that the 1906 COM
mittee report was not published until
1911.
Il do not wish to inquire Dr. Mitch
ell, why should he wish to injure
me?' remarked DR.. johnson.
Replying to questions by Mr.. Ash
ley, DR.. Johnson said that he had no
desire to convey n any correspond
ence that the university people would
.zzs.z.z<zuzss..a.nn.z