The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-03-03
MR. wH1TTEMoRE AND HIS EXPULSION.

MIR. Is. r. Whlttemore, who was folSted INTO
Congress, under the Reconstruction Acts, one Of
the Representatives from South Carolina, has been
unanimously expelled from that body by o vote
of Congress itself. We have repeatedly stated the
| simple truth in the utterance of the fact that Mr.
Whittemore and men of his class can in nowise be
considered the representative of the sentiment or
the will of the people of this State. He owes his
election because the real voice of the people of
the South has been suppressed. He, like others
of his class, attained their present position sim
ply under the influence of the Acts passed and
the measures adopted by the Radical party, who
have held since the war, and now hold, the con-
| trolling power in Congress.
| 1t is in vain to endeavor to conceal this mani
fest truth. Does any man, of whatever party, Of
the slightest intelligence believe, that, if the South
had not been fettered by disqualihcations, and
military subjection and had been free to utter its
real opinions that such men as Whitemore would
ever have degraded the councils of the nation, or
misrepresented this people? Congress alone is to
blame. The responsibility rests upon them. 1t
was their resolve that the South should be recon-
structed alone in accordance with the politics of
the Radical party, and with no view to the gene
! rel Welfare. This was the end they sought to at
| tain. The means were o matter of indifference.
| What other result could be expected, that the
intelligence and character of the Representatives
from the South would be prevented, and that
those would, under the force of military recon-
struction and of the appeal to the negro vote as
| against the white race Of their own soil, would
lead to the selection of the ignorant, the incom-
petent, and the unworthy. The South stands
helpless, in fetters and in silence. The disgrace
which hns occurred is the fruit alone of the policy
and course Of the Radical party. The expulsion
of Mr. Whiltemore is, therefore, but the procla-
nation of their own disregard of right, justice,
and the public veal.
| Of his guilt there can be no question. This was
80 clear and so fragrant that the Committee, COM
posed chiefly of members of the Radical party,
were forced by the positive and unquestioned
proof to recommend unanimously his expulsion.
That they would have shielded him if they could
scarcely admits of any difference of opinion. But
this, in the face of the evidence and of public
opinion, they dared not do. The report Of the
| Committee was as follows:
The Committee on Military Affairs, who were
authorized by the resolution of the House of Rep
resentatives of the 4th day of February, 1870, to
enquire into the alleged sale of appointments to
the Military and Naval Academies by members Of
this and the preceding Congress, respectfully sub
NIT the following report:
| The Committee have taken testimony in the
case of b. F. Whittemore, member of Congress
from the first District of South Carolina, which
testimony together with statement made to the
Committee by Mr.. Whi.temore, in exculpa.ion Of
himself is herewith submitted.
The committee having carefully considered the
same, have come to the conclusion that in making
appointments to the Military and Naval Acade-
mics from the district represented by him, the
| said B. F. Whittemore has been influenced by i'm
proper pecuniary considerations. They therefore
submit the accompanying resolution, and recon"