The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-04

An inauguration Fizzle-How the "N.
q. s. q, C. Did Not Go to Washing
ton.''
TO THE EDITORS OF TIE NEWS.
There seems to be- such widespread mis-.
understanding with the public generally In re-
gard to the above matter, that Ideem 1t neces-
sary to make an explanatory statement. Let
me state at the outset that no one more earn
estly desired to see the N. G. 8. S. C. repre-
sented IN Washington on Inauguration Day, or
worked more earnestly and sincerely from
the commencement TO perfect arrangements
10 secure that end than myself. 1t ls not my
fault that those efforts proved aoorttve.
did all 10 my power to make 1t q perfect sue
cess. The facts are as follows: Up to Friday,
ertion, had perfected arrangements tor
two companies-the Carolina Light Infantry
and the Randolph R6emen-to attend
the Inauguration ceremonies in Washington,
and secured passage for those companies Via
WILMINGTON over The Northeastern Railroad,
when received dispatch In Columbia from
Cap.e,n ARSON stating that the Santee Bridge
was In such condition that the trains could
not pass over. l Immediately applied TO DR..
Neage and solicited him TO see the president
of the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Rail-
road, which he did. The president Informed
DIR. Neagle aud myself thatit would be impos-
sible for him to furnish train, and gave as
reason that he was receiving hourly kilograms
from various individuals requesting tickets,
which necessltaled the USE OF every car.
Finding that no arrangements could be per-
fected to 20 over that road, we abandoned
the whole matter, and no one knows that
better than Captain Minott himself, who was
then present la Columbia. arrived IN
Charleston Saturday morning, and about one
o'clock the same day was Informed by Captains
Artson and Minolt that they had made ar
rangements with The authorities OF the South
Carolina Railroad 10 take the companies 10
Columbia. I at once sent telegraphic die
patch TO General Purvis TO ascertain whether
or not the necessary funds could be raised.
The reply was that they could not. But with
all the attempted arrangements made oD the
part of the captains to go to Columbia, there
was no provision 10 convey The parties from
Columbia 10 Wilmington. 10 addition 10 TINS
the arrangements 10 90 via Columbia cost
some TWO or three hundred dollars over and
above the amount provided aud collected to
detray the expenses via the Northeastern Rail-
road. In regard 10 the statement That COL
lected money to deiray the expenses, coupled
with the nnuendo that 1t WAS illegimately
held or appropriated, / would simply cay
that the only money collected amounted to
some two hundred dollars Ono hundred from
parties who didn't wish their names attached
10 the subscription list, which turned over to
Captain Minott. and one hundred from Cover
aor Moses, which still hold. TIE remainder
of the subscriptions was collected by Captains
Artson and Minott, OF which they can better
give accoHnL than myself. trust, however,
that It will BIZ used 10 defray the legitimate
expenses Incurred by the companies ip pre-
pariog tor the trip.
The statement that left here In carriage
to take the train at the Four-mile House. for
Washington, is TOO ridiculous 10 be noticed.
ALI have to say In reply is that the las; time
I had the necessity to run away was with the
steamer Planter. II had any desire 10 go to
Washington alone, should have taken the
train at The depot and given chance TO those
who spoke 30 freely Of using their bayonets
to show their martial spirit:
ROBERT SMALLS.