The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-01-21
GOV. C.L. BLEASE RESIGNS.
QUITS OFFICE BEFORE EXPIRA.
TION OF TERM.
Lieut.. Gov. G.. A. Smith Fills Office
of Governor for Six Days
Only.

Columbia, Jan. 14.-Coleman Liv-
ingston Blease brought his stormy ad-
ministration TO a sudden and dramat-
ic end today at noon when he re-
signed the Office of governor. Charles
A Smith, lieutenant governor, took
the oath of office as governor at
12:49 o'clock in the supreme court
room, the oath being administered
by Chief Justice Eugene B. Gary.
Governor Smith Immediately took
possession of the chief executives
Office.
The resignation of Mr.. Blease as
governor came like thunderclap.
The two houses in joint session had
just elected Mendel L. Smith, of Cam
den, Judge of the 9Th circuit and the
senate had returned to their chamber,
when Lieutenant Governor Smith was
notified by messenger that Governor
Blease had resigned. A message from
Mr.. Blease was received in the SEN
ate notifying them of this fact. 1t
read as follows:
ITO the general assembly of South
Carolina: I hereby resign as COVER
nor of South Carolina.
"COLE L. BLEASE.'
Before the message was read by
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Mann, the clerk, the SEN
ate knew it's contents and the sena-
tors broke into handclapping as Lieu
tenant Governor Smith descended
from the presidents stand and start
ed down stairs to qualify as COVER
nor. Senator Lide moved the accep-
tance of the resignation of Mr.. Blease
as governor, which was promptly
done.
Smith Sworn In.
Lieutenant Governor Smith pro-
ceeded to the supreme court room and
with the former governor, Cole l..
Blease, Attorney General Peoples, AS
sistant Attorney General Dominick,
and such State house officials and
others who had gotten wind of the
matter, as spectators, took the oath
of Office as governor of South Caro-
lima. With the former governor by
his side Governor Smith walked
down the corridor to the chief execu-
tive's office and assumed charge.
People pressed in to congratulate the
new governor. His first act was to
send a message to the house and SEN
ate notifying them that Mr.. Blease
had resigned and that he had taken
the oath of Office as chief executive
of South Carolina.
The resignation Of Mr.. Blease as
governor was conveyed to the house
shortly after it reached the senate.
It was received in silence.
Governor Smith retained the office
staff of former Governor Blease, Mr..
w. F. Blackburn as secretary, and
Miss Parrot as stenographer.
81 have not had time to get my
bearing yet," said the new governor
when the correspondent of a news
paper asked him if he had any state
ment for the people. He promised
to prepare a statement as soon as
practicable.
Blease Appointed Notary.
One of the first appointments made
by Governor Smith was that of c. l..
Blease, former governor, as notary
public for Richland county.
81 have no statement to make,
was the reply of former Governor
Cole L Blease, when asked if he had
anything for the people. He called
attention to the fact, however, that
his message of resignation was writ
ten in red ink. A copy Of the resigna-
ton filed in the Office of R. NJ. Nc
Gown, secretary of State, was like
wise written in red ink. Mr.. Blease
appeared to be in a good humor.