The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-03-26
Fhe Cos! Of Radical ReconsirUc-
Hon isa isle South.
The People Robbed t0 Enrich
arpet-BasGiHs Thieves.


The People Robbed to Enrich
rpet-Esassins Thieves.
II the Committee ''on Alleged Out
ragcs in the Southern States" have rem
dered no other service to the country,
they are at least entitled to grateful lee.
ognition for having collected and pre-
seated in IN official form complete proof
OF the appalling robbery which the cor
rupt rule OF Carpet bageers has inflicted
0n those communities. Heretofore, the
debts and liabilities of these States, in
Cured and accumulated since Radical
reconstruction began, have, from tie
absence OF reliable data, been compare
lively uncertain. The Governors, Treas
urcrS, and other officials conspired to
conceal and confuse the accounts. so as
10 deceive the people in regard 10 ths
enormity Of their plumber. And in many
cases fraudulent issues 0! bonds were
made, the extent OF which, even now, is
unknown. These rogIes had al interest
in hiding their vensl Transactions, and
they were seconded by the sharp prac
lice5 Of contslerates in Wall street and
elsewhere, who prOlited immensely by
their part OF the knavery.
Notwithstanding the power conferred
on the Committee, and the extraordinary
efforts which have been made to obtain
lull and truthful information on This
subject, there sre still certain defects.
which csnnot be cured. The thieves
have either destroyed The evidence OF
their guilt, or never permitted it to ex
ist. Sill, by collecting such records as
are preserved, and combining with them
/ testimony from other sources, an ap.
proXimation to the financial condition
( Of the South CrD States has been obtain
ell which can be accepted with conf
donce. At all events this question is
removed from the sphere of controversy,
because the Republican majority ard
the Democratic minority of the Com
mjttee have agreed upon common
basis. Hence, there can be no disagree
ment AZ to the figures, however men
may dilIer in their treatment.
Let us take the ten States where the
sway Of Radicalism has been supreme
during the war, and contrast tlieir pres
ent Indebtedness with the condition
which existed when the people controll
ed their own affairs. If the history 9
the civilized world presents parable
of similar license, iniquity and oppress
ion, then we have failed to discover it
ALABAMA.
Debt and liabilities, July
/, 1851, $5,939,754 s.
! Present indebtedness, act.
us and contingent,inclu-
ding railroad bonds, 3S,3S1,967 81
Increase under Radical
rule, S32,442,3l2 s.
ARKANSAS.
Debts d liabilities in 'GI, s4,O36,952 s
Present debt sn1 liabili-
Ties, actual and contin-
gent, including railroad
and levee bonds, 19,76l,265 6
Increase under Radical
rule, $15,724, ,3l2 7
FLORIDA.
Debt in 1860, s221.000 0
, Present debt, including
, railroad bonds, issued
{ and authorized, 15.763,447 )
? Increase under Radical
t rule, S15,542 ,447
} GEORGIA.
: Debt & liabilities in 1860,
,. about, S3,000,000 {
Present debt and liabili-
ties. including railroad
: bonds, issued and au,
= thorized, deaucting Sc.
100000 deemed fraudu-
= lent, 44,137 800 {
y Increase ander Radical
: rule, Sal ,13T 800
LOUISIANA.
|, Debts and liabilities, Jan.
9 1, 1851, s1O,O99,O74
V Debts and liabilities, June
). l, 1871, 41,194,479
o Increase under Radical
y rule, S31, ,Q95, ,309
n The excess of expenditures over 7
n ceipts in this State, for the year 1877
d amounted to s9,345,733.
IL NORTH CAROLINA.
: Debts and liabilities, July,
1861, $1,000, $500
Present debts & liabilities, 1857, ,467
if Increase under Radical
IF rule, S25,1S7,967 I
T. SOUTH CAROLINA
= Debt in 1861, approx,
- mate, S4,O00,OO0
,e ,e Debt in 1871, including
y bonds to railroads, and
~ bonds in dispute as fraud
i. ulent, 39,15S,914
lEcfC2Ee CnQer RauiCal
. rule, $35,15S,914
" MISSISSIPPI.
If In 1860, no debt.
% Debt incurred under Rad
n icsl rule, Jan l, 1870, Sl,79G,971
8 TENNESSEE.
d. Debts and liabilities, Oct.
e 1861, S20,105,606
y Debts and liabilities Jan.
1871. 45,6SS,263
le Increase under Radical
v rule, S25,5S2,656
II TEXAS.
y In 1861, no debt
e Present debt and liabili-
> ties incurred under Rad
l icai rule, including rail,
y rosd bonds. estimated S17 600 0OO