The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-14
Letters OF scott and Parker.

OF Governor Scott and Treasurer Parker,
in reply to the scorching letter of Car.
dozo, published several days ago. There
are some very important questions OF
fact at issue between the official mag
mates, of which we do not feel called
upon to announce an immediate iudg.
ment. Parker's letter is sorry attempt
to beslime Cnrdozo and screen himself.
The man is not improved in ones OPT
mon by reading his effuson, and his
statements will, doubtless, be generally
considered altogether unworthy of credit.
SCOTS letter, we must confess, is not q
bad one, and has frequently the ring of
truth about it, But, unfortunately for
Scott, his veracity has been repeatedly
called in question heretofore. His re-
cord is certainly not good in this respect,
while Cardozo has enjoyed perhaps the
highest reputation of any public official
of the present State Government for in
tegrity and On honest purpose to do his
duty. This, if what Scott says be true,
is honor undeserved by Cardozo; but
the public will not be hasty to believe
30 i'll of him simply upon the Governors 8
dictum. Cardozo has certainly not been
as vigiant as he might have been, or else
he would long ago have publicly rcmon-
strated with the Financial Board, and
saved the people, perhaps, the infliotion
of the seven millions offraudulent bonds,
which they may not be put to considera-
BILE trouble to have called in. Still,
every taxpayer and good citizen in the
State must feel that much credit is due
to Cardozo. for his recent action in re-
fusing to seal additional fraudulent
bonds, and the exposure he has made of
the doings of the Financial Board. They
will, therefore, be strongly inclined to
acquit Cardozo of any knowing partici-
patton in the previous frauds. More
over, he shows no signs of the sudden
wealth which Gov. Scott, and Parker
especially, betrays, and it is hardly pre-
sumable that he should have been cogni-
zant of the plundering schemes, and not
have demanded and received his share of
the spoils.
It is notable fact, that neither Par
ker nor Scott attempt in the least to
combat the allegation of Cardozo, that
six millions of the conversion bonds
have been fraudulently issued, and have
served, under the action of the Financial.
Board, to increase the bonded debt of
the State. contrary to the very Act of
Assembly which authorized their issue,
and also to the Constitution of the State.
1t is clear now, apparently. beyond all
question, that the Financial Board have
illegally endeavored to fasten debt of
S6.0O0,000 upon the State, in this ono
matter of the conversion bonds.
Is this not felonious breach of trust,
and can the guilty parties not be convict
ed and sent to, the penitentiary?
We should be pleased to have the OPT
MON of the States attorney, Mr.. Cham
berlain, on this subject. if ho can give
one without eliminating himself. If he
cannot we will have to refer the matter
to the Executive Committee of the Tax
Payers Convention, from whom We opine
the people and the courts will hear very
shortly upon this and other interesting
criminal subjects. There is no time to
lose. The poor people of South Caroli-
ma, for we are nearly all poor, cannot
afford to pay S500,000 or $500, 900 this
fall Us interest upon fraudulent bonds.
It is as much or more than We can do to
pay honest debts. We are sorry for the
holders Of the bonds, but they must look
out for themselves, aud try to get their
money back from the men who have
pocketed it. We will gladly assist them
In that work. AS to the State of South
Carolina, tho conversion bonds which
have been put upon the market are no.
thing moro nor less than forgeries, aud
not even another installment of interest
will be paid. The Taxpayers. however,
must move ut once, and settle tie matle,.
before Me tao is lepied.