The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-26
DemolIshes Senator
Swails.

"Antl-Corruption," correspondent Of The
Kingstree Star. replies as follows to card Of
Senator swails, denying his completely in
little land swindle described by correspond
ent Of The NEWS. he says:
have read this card, Mr. Editor, attentive
ly, In connection with some other facts which
dsputably, and am decidedly Of the opinion
that Mr.. Swails had better not attempt reply
at all. After stating that he bought the Gross
Road Tract" (Which Is the land In question,)
consisting OF 2l38 acres, from Mr.. John NJ.
Hirsch, for the sum of $4,000, he says:
MY duty was plain. First, to find out II the
land in question was worth the price asked.
Upon making inquiries found that the place
cost originally some $4,000, and upon eXaming
the books of the assessor, found that It was
assessed at $3.50. Ascertaining these facts,
concluded that 1t was worth the price asked,
and at once closed the bargain with him and
received the ti:les.'
Now, any one can see by reference to the
clerks office, that the deed OF conveyance
tate of Staggers, to Mr.. John NJ. Hirsch, is
dated on the 10th day of October, A. D., 1869,
and that the title from Mr.. Hirsch to the State
Is dated on the same identical day. Now,
what time then did Mr. Swails have for "mak.
ing Inquiries Does this fact not show of
ltSeu tnaC lne tlllnS was I'LL CUT anu uTleu
between him and Mr.. Hirsch beforehand?
Is 1t natural to suppose that the bargain
could have been made with Colonel Tisdale,
titles been drawn up, executed and delivered,
then sale effected with the land commission
agent all in the same day? In other words,
is it not plain to any man Of common sense
that the arrangement on both sides had been
agreed upon and liked before tnat DAY YET
Mr. Swails would have US believe that he
made bona f1e purchase from Mr.. Hirsch for
$4,000. and made the inquiries of which he
speaks all after the offer had been made to
him. and before he agreed to buy. The truth is,
all this about ':making inquiries" is all bosh. II
any inquiries were made, they were made oe-
fore Dr.. Staggers was interviewed on the SUB,
ject Moreover, suppose the !and IS assessed
on the books at the sum OF $3.50. who TOOK
O conspicuous and important part in having 1t
assessed at that figure? Answer, S. A. Swais,
as county auditor and one OF the board OF
equalization. Besides, what difference does II
make if it mad been valued at S50,0oO; II ne
could buy it for less, was 1t not his plain duty,
as the agent of the State and avowed friend Of
the colofed man, for whose benefit this COM
mission was established, to buy 1t for the very
lowest figure? To this every one will say,
YES. Then comes the question:: For what sum
did he actually buy it? l give the following
figures, and challenge contradiction:
Or. stagger's bid, (pad to Tisdalel. 90
Interest on this sum. % 40 20
Paid Dr. Staggers, las oonus,).... o5g oo oo
Paid for titles and stamps. II w
Total cost OF land. 10
Taking this sum from $4,000, which is the
sum the State is made to pay, leaves pal
ance of sl506 IS, which has either gone INFO
the pocket OF Mr.. John NJ. Hirsch, as clear
profit of one days transactions, or been dlVld-
ed between Mr.. Htrsch, the clerk OF the court,
(who merely used his fathers name TO aVerg
suspicion from himself) and Mr: Swaus. i
allege the latter, for Mr.. Hirsch, Jr., mas ac
knowledged in two or three dlnerent ways lha'
he rot part Of the money.
Inow ask the Messrs. Hirsch and Mr.. SWalls
these questions:
/. Did not u. ]. Hirsch and S. A. ,sWails 90
ont together in buggy some time before tne
10th day of October, 1863, to see DR.. Staggers
about the purchase
2. II so, why did Mr.. Swails, or MIR: Hirscn
either, go, unless they were interested IN Inc
transacton-that is to say, why did not Jno.
u. Hirsch go? ~,
had been effected, and the titles had been
drawn up. did not NJ. J. Hirsch go from Mr.
Porters's law office direct to the house OF MI
Swails. get the money from him, and then re-
turned and nav it to Mr.. Porter
4. How much OF the sum OF slooo % uio
each OF you receive
THESE questions are put with view OF get
ting at the truth. Let the facts come OUT; Il
rascallty has been committed, let it be expos,
ed: if wrong has been done Mr. SWalls ana
Mr Hirsch by charging them with so mucn
dishonesty, let them show their Innocence ana
be Justified.
One noticeable feature in the card OF MI
Swails is, that be does not deny that ne got q
part of the nlOney.