Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-07-05
CHESHIRE MAKES STATEMENT
Editor Of Anderson Tribune Accuses
John X. Auli.

The Columbia State OF Yesterday
carries the following as Victor B.
Cheshire's contribution to the Nc
I.aurin- Cooper Blease- Aull episode:
] regret that | have been brought
into this controversy. but since II ap-
pears that the letter written me by
John h. Aull Is the foundation for
the whole row. II Is mp to me to make
a statement. In doing so. 1t Is neces-
sary for me 10 tell some things that
would not tell but for being placed
In this awkward position. AS is my
custom, I am going to be plain and
come clean. regardless OF who 1t helps
or hurts. Before doing so. however.
u wantto state that-f am q friend TO
both former Governor Blease and
former United States Senator Nc
Iaurin. Because they are enemies Is
no reason why | should fall out with
either.
In making this statement. I am 60
ing to show that John X. Aull Is q
double -crosser, a liar and a spineless
coward and traitor to his friends.
Tribune readers have often Won
dered how 7 get hold OF so much dope.
knowing that / remain in Anderson
and put In IS hours a day In the Of
fee. hut know what is happening In
Columbia and other points. ! would
not tell this secret and regret that
Aull has forced me by his own block
headedness TO do so. as well az ex-
pose him.
Aull uses the office of former Gov
ernor Blease as his Charleston Ameri-
can headquarters. In fact, he Is and
has been since Governor Blease went
out OF office. his stenographer. Gov
crnor Blease has from time to time
written editorials for the Tribune. II
these editorials met with our approval
and we cared to daddy" them. we
don't see that II was anybody's bust
ness but our own. These editorials
were dictated by him and written on
Governor Blease's typewriter by Aull.
The account OF the fight between Ad-
jutant and Inspector General w. w.
Moore and Colonel Lewis in which
It was stated that the Columbia cor
respondent OF the Charleston Ameri-
can (who Is John X. AulD acted
cowardly in not reporting II, was
written by Aull himself and sent to
the Tribune for publication. Now
our readers will wonder why Aull
should write an article branding him
self a coward. This Is easy to ex-
plain. The Tribune's circulation In
Columbia Is wide. Every barber shop
in Columbia, whether Blease or anti
Blease. subscribes for the paper for
the political news II contains.
As will be noted by Aull's letter,
he and the other Columbia news
paper men had q meeting and agreed
not to mention the fight between Cen
eral Moore and Colonel Lewis. Aull.
being hostile to the Manning admin
istration. wanted to strike II but
wanted to do so under cover in this
particular case in order to keep the
other Columbia newspaper men in
the dark as to his double crossing. 80
he sent the story to the Tribune in
order to give 1t publicity. yet save
his own pork. I hadn't been in Co.
lumbia and knew nothing of the fight
between General Moore and Colonel
Thompson until Aull sent in his story
OF the affair.
After its publication / received the
letter from Aull censuring me for It's
appearance and knowing that every
thing sent me passed through Gov
crnor Blease,s hands. wrote Gov
ernor Blease in regard to the matter.
ut the same time inclosing Aull's let
ter.
Governor Blease dismissed the mat
ter by writing me that Aull had prob
ably signed the letter while under the
influence of King Corn and that It
vas probably written and mailed by
Cormack.
When received the typewriter
statement from Aull. signed by him
self and Cormack, / believed he was
drunk when he signed 1t, because
am familiar with his handwriting and
could tell by his signature that he
was in the same condition when he
signed the statement as he was In
Washington when McLaurin was
forced to abandon his trip and bring
him back home.
could 60 ahead and reveal some
facts that would cause political SEN
sation in this state, but will let mat
ters rest where they are until forced
to say more in self-defense.
v. B. Cheshire.
Anderson.