The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-08

The Savannah Republican publishes con-
vincing evidence Of the corruption Of Harrison
Reed, Governor of Florida. The reader will re-
member that it was stated q short time since that
Reed had been arrested and placed under bond in
New York City. The precise character OF the
charge against him was not made known, but it
probably had some connection with his dealings
with George w. Swepson, who Is mentioned in the
anidavit copied below. The Republican says that
this affidavit is substantiated by others that it has
neither room for nor patience to publish:
In the case OF the County Commissioners OF Jenier
son County vs. George W. Swepson, Harrison
Reed, Governor, and others. In chancery State
of Florida, Duval County, IS:
On this Sth day OF October A d. 1859, before me,
Charles l.. Mather, Clerk Of the Circuit Court In
and for said county, appeared Sherman Conant,
citizen Of the State Of Florida, who being duly
June A. d. 1862 during the session OF the Legisla-
turc at its special term In June, deponent read
letter written by George W. Swcpson, and ad-
dressed to Harrison Reed, Governor OF Florida;
that dcponent knows the handwriting Of said
Swcpson, and his signature was OF tile said Swep-
son. that said letter stated that 1t would be deliver
ed TO said Reed Governor, by Milton s. Littlecld,
orby Mr.. Littleleld, and further stated that Swep
son had paid the said Reed, Governor, five thou
sand dollars in New York City, some time
before, for which Ire, the said Swepson, had
taken mortgage on the said Reeds property in
Tallahassee; that said Lttleted would return to
him the mortgage and would pay said Reed seven
thousand dollars on his approval OF the bill or act
which the said Lttlelcld would have introduced
into and passed by the Legislature; that according
to this dep0nentS best remembrance and belief.
the contents of said letter were as follows: "You
remember, Governor, on agreement in New York,
l was TO give you fourteen thousand dollars for
calling the Legislature together and using your
influence to secure the passage OF the bill. Five
ell nj I f,oiI In fnr
hold mortgage on your property In Tallahassee.
Two thousand MI. Litteiield will hand you when
he reaches Tallahassee. When you sign the bill
he will give you seven thousand dollars and re-
turn to you your mortgage"
That there Is q mortgage on record in Leon
County Of the property In Tallahassee, mortgaged
by the said Reed to said Sweps0n, and that short
y before the recent departure OF said Reed to the
North, according to the best knowledge and be-
lief Of deponent, the said Reed inquired OF the
Clerk OF the Circuit Court OF said county If the
said Swepson had not sent release or said mort
gage for record stating that 1t had been paid, and
that he tile said Swepson had promised to send
the Clerk a release of the same for recordi that
true and correct copy OF said letter from SAID
Swepson to said Reed was at the time herenbe-
fore mentioned made, and the same was sworn 10
before duly appointed and lawfully authorized
notary, ard that the same Is now In existence.
SHERMAN C0NANT.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this, the sth
day OF October, A. D. 1869.
CHAs D. MATHER, Clerk.
Florida correspondent of the Republican
writes:
Il should be known that Major Conant was an
officer OF that rank in the United States army,
has been n Florida ever since the close OF the
war, is now Deputy United States Marshal, ana
though an undisguised Republican In his politics,
and though In office, either military or CIVIL nearly
all the willie since he came to the State, has ever
conducted himself with courtesy towards our
people. True 1t Is, he is an uncompromlsing cne-
my OF Reed, yet nobody that have met ventures
to question the literal accuracy OF the statement
contained in his affidavit; or doubts but that Reed
was brbed to convene last summers extra ses-
sion OF the Legislature, and was paid Tor his sig
nature OF Swepson, Littlefeld, Sanderson Cos.
railroad bill. or course all honest Republicans
arc outraged ut the infamy which his Excel
lency has brought upon their party; and are, be-
lievc, prepared to unite with the great body OF the
substantial people OF the State to give MIN MS
deserts, which, as you truly say, would be the
own it, Reeds patronage and Swepson's money
have not been without their baneiul influence
upon some Of our own people. Large sums nave
been paid by both to lawyers, SWepson paying
ont of his pocket, or out OF the earnings OF our
railroads, OF which he has obtained illegal ana
las chargcd) fraudulent possession, and Recd pay
ing out OF the State Treasury. These legal gen
tlcmcn have, of course. done nothing wrong
When offered heavy retaners by Swepson, Reed
& Co. as their counsel. it is not to be expected
that they would refuse them; but the misfortune
is that the very men to whom our peoPie
are accustomed TO look for leadership aud
guidance, with money In their pockets re-
ceved from the corruptlonists cannot be ex-
pccted to rally the people, and arouse public
Indignation against their own clients. Swepson as
one OF his Jacksonville lawyers has proclalmeu
counts his wealth, not by thousands, but oy mil
lions. What, then, is to become OF the virtue OF
poor Florida when tempted by the money when
he is able to offer to her Ollcials2 But not alone
government officials and lawyers anu newspa-
Of Our Lending CAPITALISTS anu business
men are In the rng-lirectors or managers, or
stockholders in the railroad schemes OF Swepson,
I.ttlcncd & Co. l need not say how unequal the
contest between the poor slmple-minded, honest
pcopc OF the State on the one side, against the
combined power of Reeds patronage and SWEEP
sun's money on the other. TO use Macaulay's
language ii would he like fight between sneep
and wolves, or between men and ilcnds.