The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-07-21
The Land Commission.

The Land Commission.
Attorney-General Chamberlain has written a
letter to the Columbia Guardian, in response
to inquiries from that paper, concerning his
connection with the swindling operations al
legged to have been perpetrated by some one
connected with the Land Commission. The
particular transaction is the huge swindle,
often referred to in public print, where the ex-
ecutors of an estate received $4,000 for land
in the low country, and the State was made to
pay $4,000, thus making clear profit of
O,OOO transferred to the pockets of some one
in authority. 1t has been established, we be-
lieve, that Gov. Scott is not responsible for
this transaction, and knew nothing of it at
the time of its occurrence. Secretary Cardoza,
another member of the Advisory Board, has
cleared his skirts likewise, and neither the
former nor present Land Commissioner are in
volved. Hence, it was narrowed down to
Treasurer Parker and torney-General Cham
berlain, and now comes this latter gentleman
and declares that in all purchases by the Land
Commission, to which he has been party, he
has acted honestly and conscientiously. He
denies making cent directly or indirectly,
out of any land purchase or other transaction
connected with his public duties. We are glad
to hear the Attorney-General emphatically
deny any completely in these nefarious trans
actions. In common with the people of this
State, we have been disposed to regard Mr..
Chamberlain as honest and respectable, al
though we know nothing of his antecedents
and not much as to his official conduct for the
last two years. But he has the manners OF a
gentleman, and has won the respect of those
meeting him in the political arena or in the
forum. 1t was natural desire, therefore, to
know explicitly as to his connection with the
100000 transaction, and we are glad that he
has broken silence and given the assurance
that there is no stain upon his official career.
AS to the tone and temper of his communica-
ton to the editor of the Guardian, we are not
discussing that point. 1t is a matter of taste,
and there's no disputing on this score. But
VIC are yet anxious concerning this gigantic
swindle, and unite with other journals in de-
manding to know why it is that there has been
no official investigation Of this broad villainy
and corruption?
Gov. Scott is the chairman of the Advisory
Board, and it is his imperative duty to trace
this matter to its legitimate conclusion. Is he
afraid to pierce through the thin veil now con-
cealing the Infamous author of this swindle,
and expose him to the world? Does Treasurer
Parker know too much of the official conduct
of Gov. Scott to be brought forth and indicted
upon these grave charges? Gov. Scott can pro-
cure the evidence tomorrow as to the guilty party
in this ScLley transaction. He ought to relieve
himself and his administration, to say nothing
of the Radical party, by a prompt indictment
of all parties concerned His delay is already
too great, and it may be that it would not re-
lieve him from the odium attaching to him for
quietly submitting to these bare-faced swindles,
vet he can protect the State, and it is his duty
to do so.
Attorncy-Gcncral Chamberlain represents
the State in legal capacity, but who has heard
of any legal proceedings to ferret out the cor
ruptions Of the Land Commission? There are
some small transactions in this section of the
State, and it is said that Gov. Scott has been
directly interested in the profits. Would a
legal investigation bring to light any or all of
these transactions, and prove that the highest
officials have speculated upon the State funds
and improved their private fortunes 1t is no
wonder that magnificent gift towards pur-
chasing school-house for the colorcd people
of this town could be afforded, when the profits
arising from recent land speculations are to be
drawn from the deludcd and deceived eolorcd
population, if they purchase these lands from
the Land Commission. Why is it necessary
that piece of property has to pass through
that office, in order to become eligible" for
the colored people to purchase? Why do their
bencfactors buy land at So per acre and then
sell it to the Land Commission for So, making
the colored man pay the profit? These are
important questions for the colorcd people to
PROFOUND to their Radical leaders, and we
think it is equally important that the Attorney
General of the State should cause an investi-
CATION to be made, no matter if the greatest
light of the Radical party is exposed and made
to vince at the result. In every portion OF
South Carolina, these charges are rife, and we
think it due to the people and the officials that
it be placed beyond doubt
Admission Of Georgia.
Congress has at length closed up the work Of