The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-20
Judge Mclton's Reply to nIr. TomlInson's
Letter.
SpARNrANBuna G. H.. Sent. IA.

Letter
SPARNTANBURG @. H.. Sept. IA.
a aevere illness of several days since
my return from tho low-oouEtry, has
prevented prompt reply to the commu-
nication over the signature of Reuben
Tomlinson. have to regret, too, that
in the absence from Columbia of several
parties engaged in the campaign, my re-
sponse cannot be made as complete as
the facts will warrant. The supplement
must appear hereafter.
In the communication reference is
made to me in these words:
"Mr. Melton is represented as saying
at Yorkville, that he had been told (uud
son asked for it) that he (Tomlinson) had
borrowed the money. or endorsed a note
ut the bank to get the money, which was
used for the purpose of passing tho phos-
phate bill through. In reply have to
say that there is absolutely not the sha-
dow OF truth in the statement
It is sufficient to say, as I do, that I
have not, at Yorkville Or elsewhere, made
any such statement; nor had I heard of
such charge against Mr.. Tomlnson until
it was stated in his card. Possibly his
actual knowledge Of the transaction may
have suggested it. 1t is probable, how
ever, that he has found it necessary to
res ort to that weakest of all limos of de-
| fence, and has put up man of straw,
to knock it down" He might us we'll
have represented me Us charging thnt he
had ''stolen horse or robbed bank"
and then proceeded to deny.it.
What did say at Yorkville, and re-
peat in Charleston, is this: When the
| phosphate bill was unexpectedly vetoed
by the Governor, the lobby .ngent, whom
the friends of the measure had employed
to secure its passage by bribery, found
himself without sufficient funds to carry
the bill over the veto, and resorted to
empty promises. This form of bribery
certain Senators refused to accept; and
| MIR. TOmlinson, in order to procure their
votes, pledged to them his personal fifth
that the bribes would be promptly paid.
That he borrowed money, or endorsed
paper to this end, let mo repeat, have
not been informed, and I have never so
charged.
It was distinctly announced that the
statement was not made upon my per-
sonal responsibility, and thut if Mr..
Tomlinson should deny it., would
chcerfully 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; whereupon Mr.. f. L. Cardo2o,
from whom the Information came to me,
assumed the responsibility and repre
scnted to the meeting that he had it from
Mr.. Tomlineon himself When the
statement shall be denied by MIR. Tom
linson, if at all, ho will have the advau-
tage of knowing whence it came. Bot
have every reason to believe that, when
his card was written, he knew the antho.
rity and the exact purport of the charge
against him.
Apart from this direct testimony, the
charge derives probability from his con-
nection with tho scheme. take it, Mr..
Tomlinson will not deny that he strenu-
ously advocated the bill, aud used his
position on the floor to promote it; that
Scott's administration in the House; and
bill, he ut onco discontinued this rcla-
tion; that he knew the measure was Sc
cured by means of direct and shameless
bribery, thereby debauching the repre-
sentatives of the people, and bringing
reproach upon the Republican party and
upon the State; that coming into this
State poor young man, lie nevertheless
became the owner of about 200 shares,
at $50 cash per share, and that he found
abundant comfort, besides, in the office
of the treasurer and manager of the
company, at n salary of $4,000 per an
numl Between this and the charge Mr..
Cardozo has made, there is not, T sub
nit, for remove. That 'some of the
most honorable business men in Charles
ton" own stock in the company, and that
under his management the dividends
have not been remunerative, docs not
affect the morality of the transaction.
1t was due to you, gentlemen, as we'll
as to myself, to make this reply. not.
withstanding the gratuitous allnsions to
myself personally, contained in Mr..
Tomlinson's card. It is one of tho evils
which now bcset us that we nre forced
into contact with men bred aud trained
in that peculiar creed, which, while it
permits the most wanton attack, fur
nishes shield behind which to shrink
from the responsibility of gentleman.
Very respectfully yours,
SAMUEL W. MELTON.
South CAROLINA Politics. de-
spatch to the New. York Tribune, datel
Washington, September 16, SAYS: