The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-15


moment when war was wagingfor the dlsso-
luton of the Union and the overthrow OF the
Constitution. This course, while seriously In
turing Mr.. Huger with numbers OF induentlal
men, produced a corresponding Increase OF
confidence and admiration on the part OF the
friends of the Union In and out of the stste.
Mr.. Huger had known Andrew Jackson since
1915, and had great confidence in his frmness
and discretion; and 1t may be remarked, 10
passing, that he always believed that haa
General Jackson filled the Presidential chair
in 1860 the secession of the Southern Staees
would have been sverted. The friendsnlp oe-
tween the fiery soldier and the young states-
man was strengthened by the course OF eVents
IN South Carolina, and In 1882 President JACK
son rendered Mr.. Huger commission as fost-
master at Charleston. Again was the conduce
of Mr.. Huger in striking contrast with that Oh
the spoil-seeking politicians of these later
days He told President Jackson that ne de-
sired no reward for doing his duty as ne un-
derstood 1t; but if he had any claims upon tne
consideration OF the President he would ask
that Mr.. Bacot, the Incumbent, be retained as
Postmaster. Mr.. Bacot was the political op-
popent OF Mr.. Huger and of the Presldent;out
he had been appointed by General "asnlnR-
ton and was highly acceptable officer.
Upon these grounds Mr.. Huger asked that he
might he retained in office. The letter OF Mr..
Hurer 10 the President ended as follows: "it
.my puoljc course in sustaining your patriotic
s.IJnIon policy has commended me to your Ia
.vor, shall regard myself amply reward
s.ed. and be under lasting obligations 10
''your Excellency should you restore Mr..
"Bacot to his former position" This ap.
peal was successful, and upon the death
of Mr.. Bacot, few months later, the
appointment was again rendered 10 Mr..
Huger, who accepted 1t, and held the position,
under successive Presidents, until the sur
render of General Lee at Appomattox. Ano-
ther evidence of the breadth Of his views is
found In the fact that be seconded The resolu-
tions, offered in the State Senate, making a
donation 10 the daughter of Thomas Jefferson.
Mr.. Huger was an infexIble Federalist, but ne
promptly showed his high appreciation Of Mr.
JefTerson's character by supporting The propo'
sltion, and by moving that the amount OF Inc
donation be ten thousand dollars.
A marked feature in the character OF Mr.
Huger is aptly illustrated by his condiict
at the beginning Of the late war. In 1861,
lust previous to the commencement OF hostlli
ties between the North andSouth, most OF the
Federal officials In this State resigned In
body and gave In their adherence TO the Con-
lederate cause Among the number who 30
resigned was the United States sub.treasurer
In this city, and consequently Mr.. Hnger Was
unable to turn over to the sub-treasury, as he
had been in the habit of doing, the govern
ment funds which accumulated In his hands
as Postmaster. In this dilemma, he wrole 10
the Postmaster-General for instructions as to
the disposition of these funds, and was direct
ed to retain them In his possession for the
time being, holding them subject to the orders
of the department. He did 80, and from
time 10 time drafts were made upoA him Tor
portions of the money and promptly honored;
but when The communication between the two
sections of the country was closed by the COM
n:encement oil actual hostillties at the front,
Mr.. Huger still found himself with consider.
able sum of the governments money IN MS
possession. At about this time Mr.. Hnger
was solicited 10 retain the position Of Post.
master of Charleston, under the new Confede-
rate Government, and al first he resolutely
declined. His friends, however, crowded
around him and urged him to accept the ap-
polntment, viewing 1t 10 the light OF busi'
ness position unconnected with political senti-
ments or influences, and for the discharge OF
official duty In maintaining proper postal ia
cllities in the business interest of the commu-
nity; and they did not hesitate to use the same
argument to ssound their urgent appeals,
which he had 80 forcibly adduced himself to
President Jackson In BEHALF of Mr.. Bacot MIR.
Huger finally consented, on>conditlon that the
funds of the United States In his possession
should remain under his control until they
could be paid over to that government. The
whole amount was $4,000 or $4,000, and consist
ed of moneys received for postage, and of un-
sold postage stamps. No objection was inter-
posed by the Confederate Government, and
the money was specially deposited, in the
mama of Mr.. Huger, In one of the banks of this
city. When the bombardment of Charleston
began Mr.. Huger removed the United States
funds to bank in the Interior Of the
Stale, bui later In the war the Confede
rate authorities peremptorly demanded that
the funds In Mr.. Huger's keeping be sur
rendered. All his own property was lost
during the struggle, and when the war ended
this scrupulously. faithful public servant found
himself in the position OF delaulter and with.
out the means of replacing the funds wresled
from him by power which he could not re-
slst. Proceedings were instituted by~the
United States Dlstrlct-Attorney to recover the
balance due to the Postoffice department by
Mr.. Hger; but a verdict was rendered In
favor of the defendant, on the ground that he
had honestly discharged his official trust by
keeping the funds as special deposit for the
account OF the United States until the over
powering authority Of the de facto govern
ment compelled hin to sure nder It. From
this verdict the Dlstrlct-Attorney appealed,
chiefly on the plea that public money could
only be accounted for by payment of 1t, how
ever resistless the force which deprived the
officer of its custody. Owing TO the crowded
condition of the calendar of the Supreme
Court the case remained unheard; and in the
meantime few gentlemen of Charleston