The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-07-05

rotary if the bill went through. The
bill passed and 1, as its author, was
elected commissioner. I kept my
bargain and appointed Aull secretary
He was efficient and did his work
we'll. I thought him a friend.
In the spring of 1916 Blease came
to me in person and also wrote me
asking me to support him for govek
o against Manning. I told him
that I would not do it-that Man.
ming had been standing behind the
warehouse development, and that I
had faith in Manning's future sup
port of this institution.
From that date I noticed a differ
ence in the attitude and conduct Of
Aull, and before long I was morally
certain that he was in my office as
a tool and spy Of Blease. I knew
also, that Bfease would from that
time on use any means to 'get" me.
welcomed the fight, for I had al
ready determined that it was my
duty to show him up before the peo-
pie and DRIVE him out Of South Caro-
lima politics. Later, Manning's atti-
tude on the insurance matter forced
me to support Blease, against my
will, to protect the warehouse sys-
tenn.
After the second primary of 1916,
when Blease had been repudiated by
the people, he told ME a number of
times, as he told others, that he
would go before the people at the
general election as an independent
candidate. I knew that he would not
do this TO rhe is not a fool. But I
said nothing to discourage him, for
I was beginning to outline in my
mind the plans Of a trap that would
catch him.
A little later he asked me to run
as an Independent candidate. Of
course I refused.
He came back again with another
proposition, asking me to put up the
money to finance an / independent
ticket, and I of course refused him
also.
By this time I saw that he would
certainly bolt and attempt to set UP
an independent party if he could
find the money to finance the
scheme, and I suggested to him that
he might be able to get the money
through John Capers, who was high
in the councils of the Republican pa,
ty. This was absurd, but Blease ap'
~parentiy took the bait, and in order
to lead him on I frequently called
John Aull to take dictation for let
tiers on this subject addressed tt
Cooper.
Of curse the letters were never
mailed, for the whole proposition
was silly, but Aull took the matter
seriously and I felt sure that he wa
keeping Blease informed and thai
Blease would sooner or later expose
very properly filed and preserved
carbon copies Of these letters. Thu
originals I destroyed as soon as Aul
was out Of sight. They had accom-
plished thier work as soon as the!
had fooled Aull and through Aul
led Blease nearer to the Trap.
The whole course of Blease at thii
time was dictated by his belief tina
Hughes would be elected presiden
While the Republican state commit
tee was in session at the Jefferson
Hotel, in Columbia, I was in the of
fee of Blease. He told w. P. Bear'
to 90 to the hotel, see Dunk Adams
who was Republican state chairman
and tell him to put the names o.
Cole L. Blease and John L. McLau
rim on the tickets as delegates a
; large. I offered no objection in tn
presence of Blease, but as soon a
Beard left I followed and caugh
him and told him that he must no
use my name and that I would hav'
nothing to do with it. To maxi
doubly sure, I called Adams on tn
phone and told him snat if Bear
I.-.-.l ,,p ,,poo ohout anv nrO