The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-10-23
To tho Citizens OF South Carolina,

Aux 'uo purpose OF warning the tax
payers of this State against scheme
which has been gotten up by certain
State officials, by which certain men are
to make large amount of money by de-
frauding the people, I wish to add1sss to
you few words. Alittle more than one
year ago was appointed to the position
OF Auditor of State, and since that time
I have endeavored to do my duty in that
connection to the best of my Judgment.
How far have succeeded remains. for
the people to decide. The first action,
which, out of my regular course of
duties, deemed it incumbent upon me
to take, was the prevention of the circu-
lation of the Blue Ridge scrip. This, L
was repeatedly told by the Governor,
some one was going to do; but after
waiting until almost too late, I learned
that the action of the Governor was
simply for the purpose of forcing Johu
j. Patterson, the President OF the COM
pany, to pay certain claims which he
held against the road, in the shape of O
note OF the company, which he procured
in way not likely to add to the reputa-
ton of an honest man. Waiting, as I
have heretofore said, until almost too
late, for some one to take this matter
into the courts, l finally instituted the
necessary proceedings. with the sanction
OF the Governor. After proceedings
had been commenced and the usual
necessary inducements been offered his
Excellency, an effort was made by him
self and others interested, to induce me
to withdraw the suit. $4,000 in cash
was offered me by one party the day that
the case came into court; and an indirect
offer of $25,OO0 in scrip was subsequent
~ made by another party, in case I
would consent to Withdraw the suit.
This, I, Of course, refused; and the
matter has been bone of contention be-
tween us ever since.
An effort was made soon after the ad.
journment of the Legislature, and con-
tinued for some two or three months, to
induce me to levy special tax to pay the
interest upon the entire bonded debt of
the State, legal and illegal, to be collect
ed Immediately. This T refused, all
though an induoement of $40, 900 in cash
was offered me, to either levy the tax or
resign my position for the purpose of al.
lowing DR.. Neagle to make the levy; and,
at the same time, I was informed that
Gov. Scott had promised DR.. Neagle to
remove me, in case refused to mako the
levy. I again declined to comply with
their wishes. l-' \
Now, second effort has been made to
force me to levy tax to pay the interest
upon the fraudulent debt of the State.
and to include levy of three mills upon
the dollar to redeem $3.50, 900 Of the
Blue Ridge eorip-one-quarter of the
entire iasue-which has, by decision of
his Honor Judge A. J. Willard, of the
Supreme Court been decided ufconsti-
tutional and invalid. a
Now, while I deem il the duty OF every
good citizen to pay all Just and lawful
taxes, do not consider it his duty to
pay every tax that may be imposed by
unscrupulous men, who chance to be in
power. Nor do consider it the duty of
any officer who, through the force of
circumstances, happens to be the ap-
pointee of such men, to blindly follow
their dictation, without regard to right
or wrong. So thinking, and acting as I
consider it the duty OF good officer
and an honest man. I have again refused
to comply with their wishes; and have
this day received an order removing me-
from office. It is but just to myself to
add, that I was informed by his Excel
lency the Governor that might retain
the Office, provided I would make the
levy. His Excellency, while insisting
upon the levy of these taxes, informed
me that he knew the money, if collect
ed, would not be applied to the purpose
for which it was levied, but that that was
none of our business; that it was our
duty to levy the tax; and he based his
argument upon the ground that many
outstanding claims were now held against
the State. (of which he is the possessor
to the amount of $40. 600. as he himself
informed me,) and that the Treasurer
would have no funds to pay them. His
only other argument was, that he had
publicly pledged his word to Henry
Clews & 90. that the tax would be levied,
and that, should it not be, he would
stand before the people in the light of
Inconsistency.
This scheme is. rs I have said, no new
movement; but while Auditor of the
State, I succeeded in preventing it's con-
summation. Being no longer in such
position, I am powerless to protect your
interests, and I now leave it TO you to
say, shall this plot be carried out. and
you be subjected to pay this enormus
tax. amounting to twenty mills for State.