Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-04-10
THE ADVERTISER
Edgefeld, s. c.. April 10, 1878.
The Investigation Meeting on Monday
K Last. x

The Investigation Meeting on Monday 1
Last. ~ II \
On Monday last, according to previous
call, our citizens assembled in targe
numbers in the Court, House,, for the
purpose of discussing the wisdom and
practicability of investigating the public
Indebtedness of Edgeheld County, which,
under Radical rule, has become so mys-
teriously (?) enormous.
- The Meeting was called to order by
Mr.. ]. c. Sheppard, who proposed Capt.
Lewis Jones as Chairman, and John R.
Abney and Jas. II. Bacon as Secretaries.
Tie Meeting accepting these gentlemen
unanimously, the Chairman proceeded
to state, briefly the object Of the occasion.
Dr.,D. C. Tompkins moved that a Com
mittee of three be appointed by the Chair
to draft suitable resolutions for the con-
sideration of the Meeting. Upon motion
Fof Col 81. w. AdaisonEEsha whiteaand
black, taxpayer and non taxpayer might
have a place upon it-this Committee
was increased TO seven. The Chair ap.
pointed D. C. Tompkins John Huiet, w.
Fl. Zimmerman, J. c. Sheppard, Lymus
Simmons, Lawrence Cain and Wallace
Morgan-the last three, colored. Law
renee Cain not being present, was called,
but answered not.
During the. absence of the Committee,
Col. II. w. Addison, being called for by
many citizens, addressed the Meeting In
a very sensible and vigorous manner,
upon the subject under consideration.
Col. A. spoke principally to the colored
people, of whom many were present,
and who listened to his statements and
his warnings withievident realization OF
their truth. After Col. Addison, Jesse
Jones, young colored man of our town.
was called for. He came forward prompt
ly, saying that he knew very dark things
and was not afraid to tell them. He
called the County Treasurer, McDevitt,
boldly by name, and alleged that he had
forged checks upon oolored men and
put the money in his own pocket. and
that "his skirts hung thick with thieve-
ry."
The Committee now returned and re-
ported the following Preamble and Reso-
lutions, which were read by Mr.. J. c.
Sheppard:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, reports are In circulation
in regard to the conduct, by certain
County Officials, of their respective off,
ces, which reflect gravely upon the in
tegrity of said Officials, which create ap-
prehension in the public mind as to the
! faithfulness of the public servants in the
discharge of their respective duties, and
| which render it eminently. proper and
desirable-both on the part of the said
officials, and in behalf of all men inter-
ested in the welfare Of the County-that
inquiries be instituted into the nature
and truth of the said charges.
AND WHEREAS, a large number of
citizens of the County of Edgefeld, be-
ing desirous of ascertaining the indebt-
edness of the County, the misapplication
of the public funds--if any there be
and of investigation of the County finan-
ces generally, have invited their fellow
citizens, without regard to party, to in
stitute such proceedings as may be ne
cessary to accomplish said objects.
Therefore be it reSolrcd, by the people
of Edgetield County in public meeting
assembled:
First: That the financial condition OF
Edgeiield County demands . thorough
| ;nyesti CATION Of the books and conduct
of its County Officials, 20 ascertain it,
present Indebtedness, how it has arisen,
| aud how it can be liquidated; the public
tteiaulters, and the amount Of their dc
sllcation and that in order to make this
Investigation searching and thorough, a
committee consisting OF John Huiet,
Chairman, r y. Lynch, Robert Green,
Lymus Simmons, Jesse Jones, R. III.
| Mims, Lawrence Cain, Jno. L. Addison
md ID. L Turner, be appointed, whose
duty it shall be to inspect the books OF
! all County officers relating i'll any Way
To the financial condition OF the County ;
who shall report through the Edgetield
ADVERTISER, and such other OF the public
presses as the may deem proper, full
statement Of the result OF their investi-
gallons.
Second: That upon full and fair exam-
ination OF the official books of the C0un-
" officers us above directed, aud dclal-
| c:ltions found against any OF said Officers,
/ the Committee. shall report the same
| specifically, forward Il copy OF their re-
port TO the Governor and Attorney Cen
cral Of the Stats, the Solicitor of the
| Circuit, and the Forema4 pf the Grand
Jury OF the County-and require ipdict-
ments to be preferred against such de-
| iaulters.
Third. That the Committee are re-
| lUested to report to the Chairman, any
vacancy which may occur by the failure
81 any member thereof &c serve, and
therellpon he shall fill such vacal,sy i'm
nediately.
Fourth: That the Conrmittee are earn-
estlv requested to commence their in
ves;igat;ons forthwith, and to pursue
them vigorously to result, in the cause
If public patriotism, public justice, and
public honesty.
Before the endorsement of the Pream-
ble and Resolutions was put TO vote, Mr..
J. R ,Amey proposed tho following
| Amendment:
Resolved, That the Committee appoint
ed 10 investigate the books OF the County
| o0, ,f
| County Commissioners Of all officers
who have not discharged faithfully the
\ duties Of their offices, and request said
| Commissioners,ia ,ias the representatives. OF
the monetary interest OF the County, to
bring eirH actions against the bond Of
every officer guilty Of such neglect.
Resoloed further, That said Committee
make demand, through the present
County officers respectively, upoc theif
| predecessors, for an exhibit OF the books,
vouchers, and papers pertaining to each
office, anfn now retained ny said prede.
cessors, or any one of them, and in case
Of Il refusal to deliver up and turn over
said books, vouchers and papers that the
Committee notify tho solicitor of this
Judicial Circuit of such resfusal, and re-
quest that an indictment be brought for
such infraction of the law.
This Amendment was opposed by DR..
D. c. Tompkins and Mr.. J. c. Sheppard,
DR.. It. seizing the occasion to make so
bluff, hearty and ad captandum speech
to the negroes as called forth their most
vehement applause. Messrs Abney and
Sheppard, pro and con, as regards the
Amendment, spoke with much fire and