The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-05
SUMTER g. O. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1914 x
DETECTIVES At TRACK.
BLEASE SENDS KILLER TO RACE
MEET AT CHARLESTON,
Attorney General Peoples Acted Tn
der IiuGCr Sinllicr'S Resolution
Passed by General Assembly.

Columbia, Dec. 1.-Acting on the
request of Attorney General Thomas
Fl. Peoples, Gov. Cole l.. Blease this
morning appointed Eugene l.. Kibler
as State detective, and instructed him
to proceed to Charleston to attend the
racing meet and to ascertain if there
be gambling or other violations Of the
criminal laws of the State in con-
nection with the meet. The detective
is to report his findings to Gov.
Blease, who told the Attorney Gener-
al that he would turn a copy Of the
report over to him.
Attorney General Peoples acted un-
der concurrent resolution passed by
the general assembly at it's extra ses-
sion, requesting him to investigate
the proposed racing meet and to en-
force the laws Of the State in regard
to prohibiting pool making or gamb-
ling at such meet. The attorney gen.
eral in letter to Gov. Blease said he
had no funds to employ anyone to
make an investigation or to proceed
with litigation, none having been pro-
vided under the resolution. He re-
tective to make an investigation.
The resolution passed by the Gen.
eral Assembly unanimously was intro
duced by Senator Hugher Sinkler, Of
Chare.ton.
The following copies of the letters
which passed between the Attorney
General and the Governor in regard to
this matter were given out today:
''To His Excellency, Governor Cole
l.. Please. Columbia, S. C.--Dear Sir:
beg TO call your attention to resolu-
ton passed at the last session Of the
General Assembly, entitled, "a con-
current resolution in reference to the
Charleston race track" and to state
that the Legislature made no provis-
ion in this resolution for furnishing
the necessary Aru1,ls~ f5- lys'Iefff ps5
ment Of anyone or to bring any liti-
cation in regard to the matter.
therefore, respectfully request that
you appoint one or more State dctcc-
tives-aS you may deem advisable
TO attend tho meeting Of the said
! Racing Association, in order TO as
N ~ rnD 70 ,,fEn ny, In
cr the criminal laws Of the State
arc being violated there or not.
by giving this matter your prompt
consideration YOU will greatly obige.
Yours very truly.
''ThOmaS H. Peoples,
"Attorncy General"
Governors Reply
'IIon. Thomas II. Peoples. Attorney
General Columbia, S. C.-My Dear
Sir: Your letter of November 3Oth,
1914. in reference to resolution pass
ed by the last General Assembly in
regard to proposed race meet in
Charleston, s. c., has been received.
III reply DcS 10 StalC lHot, Ill
obedience to your request, l have this
day appointed Eugene l.. Kibler as
state detective. with instructions to
proceed to Charleston and to attend
said race meet, and to ascertain if
there be gambling or other violations
Of the criminal laws OF this state in
connection with the same and report
to this oilicc his findings. After he
shall have made his investigations and
filed his report, you will be furnished
with copy of said report
l have always opposed gambling lin
any shape or form. and still oppose
it. However, | know of no law which
prevents horse racing, football, base
/ ball, automobile racing, church raf-
f!cs or sOthcr forms of amusement
within themselves, but if gambling is
permitted at any of them, Of course.
/ il is II violation Of the criminal laws
or this state, and | shall cndcavor to
see that the laws are enforced. How
/ ever, please understand that | do
not propose to make Of myself Il
spy or 'informcr, nor will any other
respectable gentleman so do. Very
| respectfully.
"Colc l.. Blcasc. Governor"
/
/ IINpYhH