Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-06-15
Governor Scott's Wealth.

Ihe New York Herald, OF Monday
last, contains long account of an
interview between one Of its repor-
ters and Governor Scott, in Columbia
The bulk Of the conversation related
to the Taxpayers Convention and the
Ku-Klux. On thesesubjects our read
ersi are already familiar with. the
Governors views, The interview clos.
ed as follows: s.a.
III" Governor, I hear it stated that
you are amillionaire and have made
an immense amount of money out of
your position. Is that so ?" ase7
SIN answering that question / will
say this. that I have never regarded
it as good policy for any man to make
a public declaration of his poverty,
as very frequently a large portion Of
a man s capital is his reputation as the
possessor of wealth. Therefore if I
were to admit the fact that I was a
millionaire, it would give me a much
better standing than if I'were to tell
the simple truth. The fact is, when I
entered the army my property, which
was in Ohio, consisted mostly of wild,
uncultivated lands. The money re-
ceived from various sources during
the war was from time to timeso in
vested. These lands have since ap-
preciated in value perhaps four or
five times, and are worth to-day over.
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS,
In addition portion of the town
Of Napoleon, Ohio, is built on my
property, which is also rapidly en-
hancing in price, besides afording me
an income. This income I have in
vested in South Carolina. In fact,
before was nominated as Governor
I had invested all my surplus means,
and borrowed additional money, which
Invested in the stocks and bonds OF
the State to the amount Of nearly one
hundred thousand dollars, purchasing
the bonds at from twenty-seven to
forty-two cents on the dollar. In
1871 found myself the owner Of per-
maps one hundred. and ten thousand
dollars worth of State stocks and
bonds. Some of those bonds were
sold at advanced rates to return the
loans on which l had made the origi-
nal purchase. OF course their appre-
citation under nv administration has
made a considerable increase in their
value. To-day, if my property in
South Carolina, real and personal,
were sold at the best prevailing rate,
SHOULD HAVE, sAY$70,o00.
The stories of my immense wealth are
simply fabrications by those who have
no means of knowing Of what my
possessions consist. "
To your knowledgehas your name
ever been mention ed by the colored
people in connection with the Presi-
dency or Vice-Presidency?"
al don't know that 1 would be JUS
tilted in answering in the negative,
but the suggestions have come from
persons of no Importance and are
merely the result of personal feelings. !"
";What are your views with refer
ence to the finances of the State?"
az regard them in ashealthy a con-
dition as any State in the Union. Our
debt is amere bagatelle-only eight
millions and odd dollars. The tax
payers have pledged themselves anew
to its redemption, the taxes are being
promptly paid, and expenses will be
greatly reduced. The July interest
will be promptly met as soon as it falls
due. I therefore consider that unless
bad and vicious men combine to de-
stroy their own State, South Carolina
one day, and that not distant one,
will hold as.high position as she has
ever enjoyed. No man in South Car,
olina can more fervently pray and
work for that consummation thapmy-
self"