The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-05-07
REPUBLICAN
ROTTENNESS
WrangIe Over One of Harding's
Appointments Reveals Nasty
Mess

Washington, May 3.--With strong
opposition led by Senator johnson,
Republican, California. late today
the senate voted to recommit the
nomination of David H. Blair Of Win
ston- Salem, n. c.. for internal reve-
nue. commissioner to senate finance
committee with instructions to inves-
tisate Mr.. Blair's qualifications.
The fight against Mr.. Blair devel-
oped considerable Republican opposio
ton, principally over his course as
a delegate at the Republican national
convention at Chicago last June.
Violation Of the North Carolina
primary law by Mr. Blair was said
to have been charged in executive
session by Mr.. Johnson. Mr.. Blair was
chosen as delegate at a state con-
yention. Later in preferential pri-
mary Senator Johnson. one of the
Republican presidential candidates,
received a large majority. In the
convention Mr. Blair voted for Mr
Harding despite Senator Johnsons
claim that his support was pledged
to the Californian until released by
him. The North Carolina primary
law. Senator Johnson was said to
have declared, specifically required
delegates to vote for the primary
choice.
Another objection to Mr.. Blair, pre-
sentcd by Senator. Johnson, concern
ed questions Of income tax payments
by a corporation in which Mr.. Blair
relatives were said TO be interested.
Senator Johnson issued statement
after the senate session in which ne
said.
Il am not speaking at all about
what occurred in executive session.
am opposed to the confirmation OF
Mr.. Blair. Ny objection is upon two
grounds, first, he was delegate to
the Republican national convention
bound under the law Of North Caro-
lima to vote for the candidate recelv-
ing the majority Of votes in the presl-
dental preference primary there.
received in that primary three tires
as many votes as my opponent. Blair,
as a delegate to the national con-
vention, did not obey the mandate OF
the primary. He violated the law and
betrayed his people. He is now NOM
mated to the most important admin
istrative office in the United States
He administers tax, prohibition and
other laws. A man who will Vlola-e
his own states laws. is unfit to ad-
minister the nations laws.
The second objection to MIR. Blair
is because Of secrecy maintained
concerning income tax returns is in
volved in some obScurity. Mr.. Blair
father-in-law, is one OF the rlchest
but not the richest, man in Nortf
Carolina He sought, by forming
partnership with his family, TO les
sen the amount of his income tax
He was required to pay, and 1t ::
asserted that he did pay, the ful
amouat claimed by the government
and tie members Of his family. a.
partners. have sought refund. Some
hundreds of thousands Of dollar:
have been at stake. There is dls
pute about the present exact situa
ton. AT any rate, Mr.. Blair ough'
not to be in a position where he i
in the slightest degree connected
with refunds. due to his wife, hi:
father-in-law and other relatives.
The father-inlaw Of Mr.. Blair i:
said to be J. w Cannon, cotton mil
owner The amount Of tax refund!
/ involved in the treasury department
case is said TO be around $1,0O0,00o
In the senate'S executive session
Mr. Blair was represented to have
been defended by Senators Smoot
ttah. and t'relnghuysen. New Jer-
sey, Republicans. Chairman Penross
Of the finance committee. which re
ported Mr.. Blair'S nomination favor.
a bly, last week. was not present.
Some senator's attending today:
session said that if the nomination
had come to n vote without tHe i'm
quiry being ordered by the finance
committee, it would have been re-