The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-09-26
Judge Melton's Reply to Mr.. Tomlinson's
Letter.
SPARTANBURG G. H., Sept

| 10 the EditOTS OF tRe CnGTteStOn 1fe1CS:
A severe illness of several days since my re-
turn from the low-country has prevented
prompt reply to the communication in your
issue of the 9th instant, over the signature OF
Reuben Tomlinson. have to regret, too, that
| in the absence from Columbia of several par
ties engaged in the campaign, my response
cannot be made as complete az the facts will
warrant. The supplement must appear here
after.
In the communication reference is made to
me in these words:
"Mr. Melton is represented as saying at
Yorkville that he had been told land would
give his authority if Mr.. Tomlinson asked for
it) that he (Tomlnson) had borrowed the
money, or endorsed note at the bank to get
the money, which was used for the purpose OF
passing the phosphate bill through. In reply
have to say that there is absolutely not the
shadow of truth in the statement"
1t is sufficient TO say, as do, that have not,
ment; nor had heard of such charge against
Mr.. Tomlinson until it was stated in his card.
Possibly his actual knowledge of the transac-
tion may have suggested it. 1t is probable,
however, that he has found it necessary to re-
sort to that weakest of all lines of defence, and
has "put up man of straw, to knock it down."
He might as we'll have represented me as
charging that he had "stolen a horse or robbed
banks and then proceeded to deny it.
What did say in Yorkvile and repeat in
Charleston is this: When the phosphate bill
acas unexpectedly vetoed By the Governor, the
lo55y-agcnt yhom the friends of the measure had
employed to secure its passage by bribery, found
himself acithoat sufficient funds to carry the blu
over the reto, and resorted to empty promises
This form Of bribery certain Senator's refused to
accept; and Mr.. 10nalinson, in order to procure
their votes, pledged to them his personal faith
that the brides qCould be promptly paid. That he
borrowed money, or endorsed paper to this end,
let me repeat, have not been Informed, and
have never so charged
1t was distinctly announced that the state
ment was not made upon my personal respon-
it, would cheerfully give the authority upon
which it was based. At the Yorkville meeting
Mr. Corbin was present, and in behalf of his
candidate undertook to deny the charge; where
upon Mr.. F. L.. Cardozo, from whom the intor-
nation came to me, assumed the responsibility,
and represented to the meeting that he had it
from Mr. TomEnson himself. When the state
ment shall be denied by Mr.. Tomlinson, if at
all, he will have the advantage of knowing
whence it came. But have every reason to
believe that, when his card was written, he
knew the authority and the exact purport of
the charge against him.
Apart from this direct testimony, the charge
derives probability from his connection with
the scheme. l take it" Mr.. Tomlinson will not
deny that he strenuously advocated the bill,
and used his position on the floor to promote
it; that he was the mouth-piece of Governor
SCOTS administration in the House; and be-
cause the Governor dared to veto the bill, he
at once discontinued this relation that he
knew the measure was secured by means of di-
rect and shameless bribery, thereby debauching
the representatives of che people, and bringing
the State that coming into the State poor
young man, he nevertheless became the owner
of about two hundred shares, at fifty dollars
cash per share, and that he found abundant
comfort, besides, in the Office of the treasurer
and manager of the company, at salary OF
four thousand dollars per annum Between
this and the charge Mr.. Cardozo has made,
there is not, / submit, far remove. That
"some of the most honorable business men in
Charleston" own stock in the company, and
that under his management the dividends have
not been remunerative, does not affect the
morality of the transaction.
1t was due to you, gentlemen, as well as to
myself to make this reply, Notwithstanding the
gratuitous illusions to myself personally, con-
tanned in Mr.. Tomlinson's card. 1t is one of
the evils which now beset us that we are forced
into contact with men bred and trained in that
peculiar creed, which, while it permits the
most wanton attack, furnishes a shield behind
which to shrink from the responsibility of
gentleman.
Very respectfully yours,