Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-08-22
The frauds uf the |Ring.
C0RBIN'S GREENVILLE SPEECH.

DIN, UnlteQ OCdCeS DlSGTiCI ALIoihoy, A"'e
State Senator from Charleston, Chairman Of
the State Codifying Commission, etc., deliver
ed speech at Greenville, in which he exposes
some of the rascalities of the thieving "ring"
at Columbia, in style that is truly refreshing.
Corbin is loyal member of the Republican
party and man of undoubted ability and
shrewdness Under these circumstances, his
utterances are entitled to consideration, at
least by his party associates. The speech has
just appeared in pamphlet form. The first
part of it is devoted to defense Of Presi-
dent Grant and resume of the trials Of the
ku-klux before the United States Circuit Court,
after which he gives his attention to
STATE POLITICS.
have now something to say about our State
politics. have been somewhat intimate with
State affairs during the past four years. l
have, as you know, been as ardent and as ear
nest Republican as the State affords. 1t is
true, have filled no high State Office, and
hence been clothed with no very high person
al responsibility. have been simply men,
Der of the Senate, and in that capacity, have
done what I could to be useful. You are
sufficiently familiar with my history. What
I am about to say Of the present State off,
cials has long been source of great regret
and distress to me. I say it with shame, and
with my heart sinking within me. Four years
ago we elected to the high Office of Governor
of this State R. K. Scott, and two years ago
he was reelected-not, however, by my voice
or vote. We also elected, four years ago, D.
H. Chamberlain, Attorney. General; N. G.
Parker, Treasurer J. L. Neagle, Comptrol.
ler-General F. L. Cardozo, Secretary Of
State F. j. Moses, Jr., Adjutant and Inspec-
tor-General, and j. K. Jillson, Superinten-
dent of Education. They have been in pos
session of the State government since, and
what is the record they have written? Four
years ago addressed you in favor of their
election. May God forgive me, as to part
of them, at least, for I am heartily sorry, and
will never do so again. [Laughter.]
thought then that R. K. Scott was an
honest man. thought he would administer
the affairs of the government in an honest and
business-like manner. Though I knew him
to be not great man, believed that your
interests and mine could be safely committed
to him as Chief Executive officer of the State
thought Mr. Chamberlain, candidate for At
torney. General, good lawyer, and that he
would advise him correctly, and interpret the
laws of the State properly. I believed Mr..
Parker would administer the affairs Of the
Treasury honestly and that the people of the
State could safely trust their moneys in his
hands. I believed that Mr.. Neagle could be
trusted with the auditing Of accounts, and
such other duties as should be placed upon
him. believed Mr.. Moses entitled to conf
dence, and that he could be safely trusted
with the organization of the militia, and mat
ters pertaining thereto. l had full confidence
in Mr.. Cardozo, and considered the public
records and duties of his Office confded to
safe hands. I also believed Mr.. Jillson intel
ligent, faithful, energetic, and that the public
school system of the State would b. developed
under bis care. But I have to say to you
now that majority Of these officers have
failed to meet your and my just expectations,
and are not entitled to your respect and conf
dence, or to the respect and confidence of the
people of this State. I say this with regret,
but the truth must be told. The Republican
party of this State must redeem itself, and,
without fear, favor or affection, drop those
public servants who have proved recreant to
their trusts. 1t is with this view that I now
speak to you. The Republican party is in a
large majority in this State, and to it is COM
mitted the veal or woe Of the State, probably
for many years to come And if it finds any
of its members are unworthy of the Offices to
which they have been elected, it is its plain
duty to depose them.
FINANCES.
The first subject of interest to you is the
financial condition of the State. This touches
you all personally, and to thisI at first devote
nv attention. How have the financial affairs
of this State been administered, and to what
pass have they been brought? When my
friend, Governor Orr, who has just addressed
you, retired from office in July, 1868, he left
the State with bonded debt of about five
millions and a half of dollars, and floating
debt of perhaps a million and half more.
Now, in the short period of four years, we
find the State burdened with bonded debt of
about sixteen millions, and floating debt of
two or three millions more; God only knows
how many. You will anxiously inquire how
has this come about? [ will try to answer
your inquiry. Let me first look into the Acts
of the Legislature and ascertain what debts
the Legislature has authorized, and then see
how the authorized debt agrees with the debt
as it actually exists.
On the 26th of August, 1868, the Legisla-
ture passed an Act to authorize loan to re-
deem the bills known as the Bills Receivable
of the State of South Carolina. This Act
provided that the Governor of the State be
authorized to borrow, on the credit of the
State of South Carolina, on coupon bonds, a
sum not exceeding s5OO,OOO, or as much
thereof as was necessary to redeem the Bills
Receivable. The Bills Receivable referred
to were the bills issued by the Legislature of
1865. This Act provided that these bonds
should be sold at the highest market price by
the Financial Agent Of the State in the city
of New York, but at sum not less than
should be fixed by the Governor, Attorney
General and Treasurer. In my judgment
the Act authorized bonded debt of S5OO,0
and was so understood by the Legislature at
the time Of its passage.
About this time the Legislature further au-
thorized the Governor of the State to borrow,
on the credit of the State, on coupon bonds, a
sum not exceeding one million dollars, or so
much thereof as might be necessary, to pay
interest on the public debt. These bonds
were to be sold at the highest market price,
and for a sum not less than should be fixed by
the Governor, Attorney General and Treasur-
er. This Act, at the time of its passage, was
supposed to create bonded debt Of one mil
lion dollars, and no more, and only so much
thereof as might be necessary. The issue OF
bonds for this purpose was necessary, as the
interest on the public debt had not been paid