Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1915 — GOV. BLEASE RESIGNS [ARTICLE]

GOV. BLEASE RESIGNS

QUITS FIVE DAYS BEFORE HIS < TERM ENDS. \ Learns of Abandoned Impeachment Plan Just Before Filing His Resignation. Columbia, S. C., Jan. 15.—Gov. Cole L. Blease, whose. term of office expires January 19, filed his resignation with the secretary of state. The resignation, transmitted to the senate, was immediately accented.. Lieutenant-Governor Smith took the oath for the [unexpired term. No reason for the governor’s action was given in his resignation, which contained only the words: r “I hereby resign my office : as governor of South Carolina.” It was stated that Governor Blease Was told of a meeting of some of the members of the legislature Tuesday night, when, according to the members of the conference, a proposal for impeachment proceedings against the governor was discussed, but Was abandoned. Before he resigned Governor Blease signed pardons for 27 more convicts.