The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-19
NAGxxAH LEA W..
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A VOICE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
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INTERVIEW WITH GOV. SCOTT.
He Wanted Troops, Not a Suspension Of
the Writ CT Habeas Corpus.
THE SITUATION DESCRIBED.
Financia Condition of the
State.
INTERVIEW WITH GOV. SCOTT.


counties OF South Carolina under martial law. No
announcement OF an insurrection has been pub
lished, and no evidences OF a rebellion, such as
ordinarily calls for the exercise OF Executive power.
have stirred the hearts of the people to q "white
heat; yet His Exceency, the Chief Magistrate, has
seen fit 10 impose upon one OF the Southern States
q rule so rigorous and oppressive that even I'M
offending citizens are fleeing terror from the law
from which they should seek protection. leaving
society disorganized, business unsettled and the
political status Of the people more disorganzed and
unsatisfactory than 1t has been at any time since
the close Of the war.
In view Of this condition Of things, one OF the
representatives of the HERALD yesterday called
upon Governor r. X. scott, Of South Carolina, who
was temporarily sojourning In the metropolis, and
explaining the object OF his VISIT received the fol-
lowing information concerning the condition OF
affairs in the Palmetto state:-
II presume, Governor, that you are here In con-
ncction with matters referring to the recent de-
claration OF martial law in South Carolinaf"
"By no MEANS" answered the Governor. "My
sole object in visiting New York Is to make certain
arrangements concerning the finances Of the State,
which, for unaccountabe reasons, are at the present
moment at an unnecessarily low ebb."
"Dut You are aware, Governor, that
THE PUBLIC ARE MUCH EXCITED
with reference TO the late proclamation and as
ambassador of the HERALD should be glad to have
your views on the subject OF martial law Its causes
ana necessity IN your Stae,n csc g. -
Il must correct you there,h replied the Governor;
'marlal law has not been declared. The purpose
OF the proclamation Of President Grant Is simply TO
suspend the writ OF habeas corpus which win
enable the United States authorities to make arrests
and detaIn suspected parties without the Interior
ence OF the state Courts"
"But is there q necessity for this ~
81 am compelled to answer your question both
aIirmanvely and negatively. From public stand
point would say yes; from my own I would say
no. am firm believer In the civil law AS an
American and republican, prefer that its powers
shall be first exhausted before the general govern
ment interferes; but in the case Of South Carolina
such course has not been practicable. Our judges
have certainly endeavorcd to do their duty, but in the
upper countes-those embraced In the Presidents
proclamatOn-the juries have been chiefly SO COM
posed that If Ku Klux were put on trial and his
guilt were clearly proved there would be either
mis-trial 4 verdict OF not guilty. Besides, were
TO attempt to enforce pubic order with the means
at my command should only add fuel to the flames.
The militia Is composed mainly Of coiored citizens.
who are oIlccred by colored men, anu to employ
these in the work of patrong the country or in ar
resting suspected white men would create
AN ANTAGONIST BETWEEN THE RACES
which would be universally deplored."
"Does such difference OF opinion exist as might
under slight provocaion result in bloodshed ~
undoubtedly. Yet it is under the control OF the
in1ueni a men Of every county in the State. There
Is scarcely a pnblicst OF any note whatever-and
you must remember that all the leading citizens
have more less occupied public postons--wh
might not with slight effort have prevented three
fths II not Of the outrages that have been per-
perated by keeping silent by seeming to YIELD to
public sentiment, they have been accredited with
q certain degree Of sympathy in the results that
gentlemen are suspected OF actual atnation with
the lawiess combination known AZ the Ku kluX.n
my dear sir,n replied the Governor with en-
pressament, 1T embraces those who claim To be the
best citizens or south Carolina and, II the papers
are To be believed, their Identity Is
FIXED BY THEIR OWN CONFESSION"
''Pease mention some oil their Names"
''ruat ] cannot do; but they are known TO the
government agents and spies who for several
months have bcen employed IN the dlsaGected
counties, and presume that the arrests taking
place are based on the information thus obianedn
"5ut, Governor, do you think IL was necessary TO
resort 10 martial law to effect this rcsutf'
.,Well, can scarcely see how, after months of ra-
tlenL waiting for peace on the part OF the authori
marital law Revouton or rebelIion IN one form or
another, has been going on, III one section or AZ
other, throughout the South ever since the war. at
first IL was believed that inconsiderdte and hasty
young men were the cause or dlsquetude; That the
rude habits of army lie had engendered dlsposi-
to gloss over ana bear kindly with these maniesta-
tons Of passion believing that they would be cured
by time, or be controlled by the older and more
sagacious members OF the community. Instead
of thai, however, l found that the serious
COUNSEL not only utterly failed If they even attempted
TO secure better condition OF anans but they con-
tented themselves WIN mere zap, apologies for pubhc
ciety would have demanded severe punishment"
"Ihereiore Goyeraor you asked The President to
Issue tho proclalnaiiolW
GOVERNOR SCOTT OPPOSED TO MARTIAL LAW
mo. SIT; do not misunderstand me. am opposed
70 martial law. did not ask for IT. and YET, since
suspended while some innocent parties may suffer,
sevf tss s sa w - hs END De benz
"a The train Of content ,I follows prosperity;
system exists throughout that portion Of South Caro-
lima IN when the kn Klux nave been rampant, and
the healthIest influence In every department OF lle
social pollnea e9HpsTcal s2l d0pestt,,ssm
down to the facts. TO be frank with you lever
RACES have been reported during the last tnree or
four months naa at a9y time since the war. why
s.True,n answered His Excellency, there may
have been no murders to record, but whippings
noxious men In different communities almost |
nightly until Yielding 70 the pressure OF solicitation
the ~ e carolina TO- nc
condition or affairs personally lie went there I,
and after wss S9 ne Victims u aaS ana
the course which has been taken. Doubtless the !
report OF the Congressional investigating Com |
miIee has also had much 10 do III bringing about |
The present situation; for the evidence taken by
those gentlemen, aV informed by them, was of
the most convincing character"
is IN A POLITICAL MOVE?
..Do You not think there is political combination
behind ali this movement anu that the local politi
clans In the Stae have pCrsstenty forced the SUD-
iect upon the federal authorities until the latter
have Yielded simply as matter OF grace, or posi-
bly, TO secure full republican delegation from sohth
Carolina 10 the next Natit ma Convention, or otner
wise AFFECT the national sentimentY'
,iFranKy, do not believe the action OF the Exec
utiye has been prompted by either u the motives
YOU nave suggested. Disorder mas existed IN south
Carolina for montns. CIVIL and miht AIRY authority
have failed to repress " In the ortlinarYwayfAn
al last the general government with Its str0Eg nrin
has lnIerposeu. That is the long and short OF the
story.u u
"i3ut Is the instruction so broadcast as Is ndi-
Gated by the proclamaJionY Does IL extend To all