New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-15
so1TH CAROLINA GOVERNMENT.

GRIEVANCES OF THE TAX-PAYERs-CHARGEs OF
CORRUPTION AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS
INDIGNATION OF THE PEoPLE-vIEws OF
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE.
lPRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
CoIUuBIA. s. c., May 11.--There can be no
doubt that the properyowners Of South Carolina have
many real grievances OF which to complain on account OF
the manner which the finances OF the state nave peeh
administered and careful inquiry satisfies me that the
charges Of corrupt practices which they make against
the state Legislature and many Of the State officers are
to some extent, true although greatly exaggerated
All people, from the Governor down to private citizens
OF both parties white and negroes agree that with
few exceptions, the members OF the Legislature were
samefully venal and sold their votes with little pre-
tense secrecy. This may over as an admitted
fact but the amount OF really bad legislation OF which
they were guilty very great. The State of South
Carolina poor TO afford much plumber There are no
powerful railway companies other rich and grasp
ing corporations that afford to roundy for legs
lation to promote their interests and the actual amount
OF corruption money used at the last session would APP
pear rdiculousy small to the lobbyists who manipulate
the Legislatures OF New-YOrk and pennsylvania. The
measures for the passage Of which money was most
freely used were the Phosphate bill (Which gave to
few persons monopoly Of tho right to take phosphate
deposts for fertzng purposes from the OF the
stae)i and the Greenvile Railroad Subsidy bill, which
passed the House after an expenditure OF feooo Dut
which finally failed to pass the Senate over the govern
ors Veto The chief sin Of the Legislature was the eX
travagance with which money spent for cerk-hre,
furniture, and incidental expenses. The cost OF
the last session was nearly ten times as much
"a tho average cost OF the sessions before
the war. As an illustration OF where the money
went TO, it Is related that one member bought
pair of horses and paid the owner By giving him an or
der ON Treasury for pay as committee clerk, ana
that others furnished themselves with gold watches and
chains In a like manner inexpensive to themselves
nat three or Officers
the anger OF the tax especially directed When
the State Government into operation In 1863 tho only
capital Of its members their influence with the
negro voters and they carried all their tangible fortunes
upon their backs Now they live In fine mansions, drive
fast horses buy railroads, establish banks and give
every sign OF possessing great wealth In commercial
communities, where riches often rapidly acquired,
such sudden rise fortune would not attract so much
attention or suspicion but TO understand the effect 1t
makes upon the public temper here it must be renem
bered that people OF South Carolina are very poor
that nearly all the fortunes possessed by them we're
wrecked by the that many who once lived IN luxury
are now reduced to actual poverty and that che old
proud planters nothing left but their barren
which scarcely produce enough to feed them in these
piDching days OF adversely, a throng OF III Known
men come Of the country OF their recent enemies
to seize upon all the places in the Government ty
the aid Of negro votes No doubt large share OF the
wealth Of these men was acquired by what would be
A.
here few make such distinctions The South Ca olina
planters little about specializing: their fortunes
used to be in lands ana slaves. Wealth was slowly
acquired and always evidence OF respectahitv
and good family; men who made money rapidly weso
suspected aud tho speculative instinct was Of the
Yankee traits which they most despsed These planters
now find themselves poor their taxes enormously in.
creased their State debt much augmented and the State
officers suddenly risen FROM poverty to afiuence Their
wrath ia naturally great at all this.
The tax payers do not rest their case, however on
general assertions of corruption, but they make specnc
charges against OF the State officers and these
charges repeated and Endorsed by many Respectable
Republicans out OF Office Perhaps the most serious OF
the charges refers TO tho public Land. BONDS W tno
amount OF t7O0 900 sold and the proceeds sppen
purchasing land for the state with the purpose Oh to
selling on long credit and In small TRACTS 10 coiored
men, az o charitable undertaking. Land ConmiS-
sioner appointed, with numerous deputies turns
out the utmost value OF the land purchased ho'
100000 and that all tho OF the msney went INTO he
pockets OF the Commissioners and some OF the members
OF superysory board consisting Of certain State ON
GERS. One made So,oo on nnsi' purchase
He bought a tract of land for So'ooo agreeing
with the owner that the deed should DC inaue or o
drew thu money from the paid the owner ana
pocketed the difference In some cases INN" ~"e H
An which mere were unsatshod mortgages. to its full
value and the money drawn 10 pay inc iaor'ssSo a~
dI.apneared 1t Is alleged that systematic process mas
bean carried on by certain State oncers OF
claim. .g.inst the state-that s refusing and delaying
vuent until claimants wearod by the delay would
. their elaine II heavy discount 4" brsaarA who a.