The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-02-06
ASYLUM INVESTIGATORS
TO WAIT FOR TILLMAN
GOVERNOR DECLINED TO APPEAR
on TUESDAY.
Says Senator TilIman Made the
Charges and Should be Made to
Specify.
Special to The Herald and News.

COlunDld, rSD. 81 uS lSS4o4o'4'S
asylum investigating committee held
an executive session on Tuesday af-
ternoon and adjourned until Saturday
morning at 10 o'clock to await the ar
rival of United States Senator B. R.
Tillman, who wrote the secretary of
the committee that on account OF the
condition of his health he would not
be able to come to Columbia before
that time. 1t had been announced that
the committee would begin its inves-
tigation on Tuesday afternoon at 3
o'clock, and Governor Blease and his
private secretary were among those
who were requested to be present at
that time. The governor addressed a
letter to the chairman and secretary
CT the committing stating that he had
noticed in the newspapers that Senator
Tillman had said he would not ap-
pear before Saturday, and the COVER
nor had yet to see that court which
forces those who are accused to make
a defense before those who are making
the accusations are heard, and that he
would not appear until Senator Till
man had appeared and made specific
his charges, and then if the were any
charges against the governor, either
personally or officially, he would >be
glad to place himself within the juris-
diction of the committee, and to give
the committee any information which
he had,
After the executive session, Chair
map Mauldin, of the committee, an
nounced that all witnesses had been
excused until Monday afternoon at 3
o'clock, except DR.. Babcock, who is
expected to be present to go on the
stand Saturday morning.
Following is the letter which Gov
ernor BIease addressed to the com
mittee:
The Governors Letter.
Columbia, Feb. 8, 1914.
Hon. T. J. Mauldin, Chairman, and
Hon. C. C. Wyche, Secretary, Legis-
latiVe Investigating Committee, Co.
lumbia, S. C.
Gentlemen: Your secretary called at
the governors Office on Saturday
morning and requested that the gov
ernor and his private secretary attend
a meeting of your committee on Feb
ruary 3, at 3 p. m, in the supreme
court room.
I had hoped that your general as
sembly would pass joint resolution
one that would give your committee
power, and not place yourselves mere
ly in the position of asking courtesies,
for under your concurrent resolution
if any one were to refuse to come be-
fore you or refuse to send papers or
to give you possession of papers, I do
not see by what authority you would
force them, unless you would report
back to the general assembly as body
and request them to take some action.
However, 1 have no desire personally
to raise any such question
l notice, though, from the newspa-
pers, that the party who wrote GER
tain muchly-marked Personal" let
ter in reference to this matter, has
stated that it will suit him to appear
on Saturday, the 7th. OF course
do not know his purpose, but believe
it to be to appear after you shall have
heard all the other testimony, and thus
give him the opportunity to make one
Of his usual political harangues in the
shape Of testimony, in reply to the evil
dence as given by those who have pre-
ceded him. Personally, 1 do not pro-
pose to be placed in any such position.
It was he who made certain charges,
which your committee was appointed
to investigate. In my short term in
the practice of the law, it has always
been customary for those alleging to
prove their charges, and then for
those denying to be given an oppor-
tunity to put in such testimony as they
may see ft in rebuttal, after which
those alleging shall have the right to
make reply. But I have yet to see that
court which forces those who are ac-
cused to make a defense before those
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