The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-06-22
County Exemption Boards
Recommended by Manning
The Names for ewberry Prof. Derrick John C. Cog
gans and DR.. j. NJ Ki6ler-Forn,er Governor Blease
Files Protest-Appointn,ents Not Yet Made.

Sy tHS DOdIu SOMpOSSo VI Ih0 AAoSS
extreme, the most unpartsan, and the
most bitter members of what is known
as the Conservatives, Or anti-Reform
faction of our state" said Former
Governor Blease. upon his return
to Columbia from Washington today.
These are exactly the words l used
in an argument which | made before
General Crowder," he said, "and l
submitted that the War Department
should at least see that the officers
named as the normal boards should
be appointed in South Carolina"
Something Further.
Governor Blease returned to Colum-
bia on a delayed train. He stated
that he would have something further
to say about his trip tomorrow. He
furnished the Columbia corresp pondent
of the Charleston American with list
of the nominations made by Governor
Manning. which are given herewith.
The following written protest, in ad-
dition to his verbal protest, was filed
with Provost Marshal General Crow
der by former Governor Blease:
The Protest.
Washington, D. c.,
June 10, 1917.
General Enoch H. Crowder, Judge
Advocate General, Washington,
D. C..
My Dear General: Through your
kindness, as chairman Of the COM
mittee appointed by the Reform
faction of South Carolina, I have
been permitted to see list of the
nominations for the local exemp-
ton boards for South Carolina,
made by Governor Manning of that
state. gsAl
Under the regulations issued by
the War Department it was proVid-
ed that the normal county boards
of registration be composed Of the
sheriff, county clerk and county
physician, and in cases where it
was not practicable to so constitute
the board, the governor was authoriz-
ed to name other local authorities.
ln>the appointment of these local reg
istration boards in South Carolina,
the normal plan suggested was not
followed, and only one officer suS-
gested on that normal board, namely
the clerk of court, was appointed by
the governor OF oSuth Carolina. In
stead, a civilian. was appointed for
such local board as the executive Of
fcer thereof, and not the sheriff; and
in place of the county physician in
each county, the probate judge was
appointed.
Not DOne.
Protest was made as to these ap-
pcintments by the committee OF
which l have the honor to be chair
man. And when this protest was fill
ed. nv recollection was that l was ad-
vised by you that it was hoped that
the registration boards appointed
Throughout the country would so con-
duct their duties that they could
be named as the exemption boards.
This was not done in the case OF the
nominations made for the exemption
boards in South Carolina, and in these
nominations the probate judges of the
respective counties have been drop
ped, and local doctors and not coun-
ty physicians have been placed in
their stead. If the appointment OF
these boards had been made in &C
cordance with the regulations gener-
ally laid down BY the War Depart
nent, / nor my committee nor my
party would have had single COM
plant to make, on account of the
fact that the members of the proposed
board were the duly elected represen-
tatiyes Of the respective counties IN
our state For what reason the "nor-
NAL board" was not appointed in South
Carolina we have not been officially
advised.
Extreme.
AS to the nominations on the ex-
emption boards, after thorough in
vestigation Of the same, find that IN
nearly every county the board is COM
posed of the most extreme, the most
partisan and the most bitter mem
bers of what is known as the conser-
vative, or anti-reform, faction OF our
state.
have been informed that it would
he the policy of the War Department
to see that the registration boards
and the exemption boards would be
composed of men who would not be
partisan but would treat all alike
do not consider, the boards as nomi-
mated composed of such men as
should be upon an exemption board
to pass uron the very serious and
grave questions that VII be present
ed 20 them.
By People.
7 most respectfully submit that the
War Department should at least see
that the officers named as the normal
ooards'' should be appointed in South
Carolina. that is: the sheriff, the