Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-10-31
aARpS LETTER.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CARG.
LIMA.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Oct. 81, 1872.

For the lnIOrmatlOu Ol tHe puplS |
and for the purpose Of warning the !
taxpayers Of this State against a
scheme which has been gotten up by |
certain State officials, by which certain
men are to make a large amount OF
money by defrauding the people, l
wish to address to you few words. A
little more than one year ago L was
appointed to the position Of Auditor OF |
State, aud since that time | have en-
deavored to do my duty in that con-
nection to the best of my Judgment.
How far have succeeded remains Tor
the people to decide. The first action,
which. out of my regular course OF du-
ties, [ deemed it incumbent upon me
TO take, WAS the prevention OF the CIR
culation of the Blue Ridge scrip. This,
[ was repeatedly told by the Governor,
some one was going to do; but alter
waiting until almost too late, Learned
that the action uf the Governor was
simply for The purpose Of forcing John
J. Patterson, the President Of the COM
pany, to pay certain claims which he
held against The road, in the shape OF
note of the company, which he pre-
cured in way not likely to add to the
reputation of an honest man. Waiting.
as have hereto ore said, until almost
loo late, for some one 10 take TINS mat
ter into the courts | finally instituted
the Mt cessary proceedings, with the
sanction of the Governor. Aft,r pre-
ceedipgs had been commenced aud the
usual necessary inducements been
offered his Excellency, an effort was
made by himself and others interested,
10 induce me to withdraw the sullk
g 0. 600 in cash was offered me bV one
party the dav that the case came INTO
court: and an indirect offer pf $50. 00O
IN scrip WAS subs qu,ntly made BY az
other Varfy. in case | would consent I"
Withdraw the suit. This, |, OF coursf,
refused; and the matter has been
bone of contention between us ever
since.
An effort was made soon after the
adjournment Of the Legislature, and
C Dlinued for some two or three months
10 induce me u levy special. tax to
paw the interest upon the entire bond
d debt of the Stale, legal and illegal,
| 20 be collected Immediately. This
refused, although an inducement OF
$50 OU0 in cash s offered me. TO
either levy the tax o. resign my pesi
tion for the purpose of allowing Df.
| Neagle to make the levy; and, at the
same time, | was informed that Gov
scott had promised DR.. ~ Eagle to re-
move me, in case | refused To make
tn. levy. | again declined to comply
with their wlshts.
Now. second effort has been made
70 force me to levy tax to pay the
inrer, st upon the fraudulent debt OF
the Stale. and to ineiude levy OF
,hree mills upon the dollar to redeem
| 1850 600 If the Blue Ridge scrip one
quarter Of the entire issue-whlch has
nv decision Of bis Honor Judge a. D.
Willard, Sf the Supreme Court Deeh
decided unconstitutional and invalid.
Nov, while | deem it tn" duty OF
eysry gooc c!'jZen To pay al Jusl ana
Lawful ia xes. | do not consider 1t h's
duty 10 yay every tax thai play be ln-
pps, d by uuscIuputGus men, wn'
chauca to be IN power. Mr. do con-
sder it the duty Of any officer who
through thu force OF circumstances
"Opens IT, he the appoinIee OF such
mep, 10 blipd follow their dictatlon,
without regard tp right or wrong. 80
thinking, aud acting a. CONSIDER ID
the duty OF gnOd Gfiicer and an non
est man. have again refused to com
nv with their wishes; aud l have this
dly received al order removing me
frHm cfli:e. l, is nut just to myself to
add. that was informed by his Excel
lnncy the Governor that mi2ht retain
the nlii..e. proyHisd l would make The
Ivy. His ExGeilt ncy, while INSISTING
upGn tue levy OF these taxes, Informed
me that he knew the money, If collect
ed woa!d not be applied to the pur-
poss Tor which it was levied, but that
tnat was none ot our bnsiDess; tnat II
WIS our duty to levy the tax; and he
based his argument upon the ground
that many outstanding claims wrre
now held against the State, Tor which
n il The possessor to the amount OF
so 600. as be himself informed me,
and that the Treasurer would have no
funds to pay them. His only othe
argument was that he had publicly
plrd ed his word to Henry Ciews q
Co. that the tax would be levied. and
that should 1t not be, he would stand
before the people in tue light OF d'tcon'
SiSteRcy.
TINS scheme is, as | have said, ne
new movement; but while Auditor o
the Stale. succeeded III preventing lis
cnusummaJon. Beng no longer IN
such yasitlon am pOwerless 10 pro
trcr your intcrts,s and incw leave II
10 ynu to say. shall tbs plot br carried
out and you lie Subjected to pay this
cnnrmous tax, amounting to twenty
m,ls for S.atc. aud. IN this county,
five and one half mills Tor county-tWI
aud one. half times the tax Ut last year,
or will Won unite in determined ttrr
to prevent the continuance OF th'
rGauds which bave IMPOVERISHED TIT
y, nplt and disgraced the State! IL
bring such an ttftrt 10 a successful
issue | Ole dge FIR my own part M
most hearty co-opc ail"n.
. EDRI& +. GARY,