The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-09-18
a south carollna oaiee-Holders.


A gentleman who has travelled ex.
tensivelY In the South since the wal
relates some rich stories of his obaer
yations in reconstructed South Caro-.
lima. The following, given verbatim
will shew one of the happy results OF
NEGRO supremacy: Riding one day
through sparsely settled section oil
the district then (mis- represented il
Congress by A. S. (S.l Wallace, l was
| surprised TO find an unusual assem-
/ blage of men, on horseback and
afoot. at cross road to which / was
approaching. At first view it ap-
/ peared to be a sporting match or q
militia muster, but on reaching the
| spot l perceived that the magnet OF
attraction for the assemblage was an
old fashioned family carriage, drawn
| by a pair of cadaverous mules, which
stood among the chinquapin bushes
by the roadside. On the front seat
of the vehicle sat little Weasel-faced
man, who had upon his lap a huge ac-
count book, in which he made entries
as from time to time he received
small packages of dirty shin-plasters
from the bystanders. Behind him,
reclining at full length, was a big,
burly negro, whose feet literally a
foo) were elevated so that they al
most brushed the ears of the little
man in front. a'a......."=
Amazed at this extraordinary ex-
nj bitten I asked a gentlemanly look
ing person for an explanation. 'Oh !
it is only q tax-gathering,' said he,
with smile. we are paying tribute
to old Cesar Cesar Moses-Whom
you see in the carriage why, have
you colored collector?' yes; br
rather 1 should say Governor Scott
has negro collector. We have none :;
the white men of South Carolina, sir,
have very little share in the selection
of the officials who govern them.'-
But who is the little man who seems
to be doing the business {? tGe is a
low fellow, sir, formerly groggery
keepers clerk. He now acts as coach
man and clerk for the darkey. Old
CRse, who cannot write his own
name. is obliged to give half his sal
airy to Scruggs to attend to the busi-
ness for him. What salary. does he
getT One thousand dollars and per-
quisites.' During this conversation
EOld Caese' arose to point of order.
A meek looking countryman had
asked if State money would be re-
ceived for taxes. The negro was too
drunk to sit upright, but heard the
question, and pulling aside the cur
tains, he presented bleared, sensual
countenanee which ought to procure
him admission to the penitentiary
without a warrant. No! No, sir-ee,'
be began in afmaudhn tone isWe
don't take no State money; we don't
want dat trash. Don't want muffin
but de greenback, we don't. You list
f, fork out de greenback,l das AL we ak
islhe %isThe eoachman, however, had been
iutes. and he now, low Whispered is a to his
employer that State money. was re-
ceiYable' for State taxes.
. Do kno' muffin bout dat. groWled
the negro, 4 know, my. business
Sam Melton, the Attorning Gineral,
told me not to take muffin but green
back, Dat am. my Gospel You fell
Ter, list fork out dem ar taxes, das all,
And. presently he subsided into his
free and easy position, with his feet at
the little mans ears as before. The
latter disregarded his orders and took
the farmers money, being evidently
accustomed to old Case's ways. -.
"I had seen q good deal OF. negro
rule in the South, but this spectacle
saddehed me, notwithstanding its Iu-
dicrotis features. From my observa-
tion | am satisfied that every dollar
paid for taxes in South Carolina runs
at least twenty risks of being stolen
before it reaches the treasury, and is
certain to be stolen after it gets
there" ......l.f