Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-04-10
THE ADVERTISER.
Edgefeld, S. c., April 10, 1878.
The Investigation Meeting OH Monday !
Last Tg q


On Monday last, according to previous
call, our citizens assembled in large
numbers in the Court House, for the |
purpose of discussing the wisdom and
practicabiIty of investigating the public
Indebtedness of Edgefeld County, which,
under Radical rule, has become so mys-
teriously (?) enormous.
- The Meeting was called to order by
Mr.. J. c. Sheppard, who proposed Capt.
Lewis Jones as Chairman, and John K.
Abney and Jas. IT. Bacon as Secretaries.
The Meeting accepting these gentlemen
unanimously, the Chairman proceeded
to state, briefly the object Of the occasion.
Dr.>D. C. Tompkins moved that's Com
mittee of three be appointed by the Chair
to draft suitable resolutions for the con-
sideration of the Meeting. Upon motion
Eof Col 81. w. addison Z that withstand
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 cal!eo'
but answered. not y
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 heknew very dark things
and was not afraid to tell them. he
called the County Treasurer, McDevitt,
boldly by name, and alleged chat 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 Edgefield, 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
/ Investigation OF the books and conduct
of its County Officials, 70 ascertain its
present Indebtedness, how it has arisen,
aud how it can he liquidated; the public
deiaulters, and the amount Of their de
.llcation and that in order to make this
Investigation searching and thorough, a
committee consisting OF John Huiet,
Chairman, r y. Lynch, Robert Green,
Lvmus Simmons, Jesse Jones, r. IT.
Mims, Lawrence Cain, Jno. l.. Addison
md d. L Turner, be appointed, whose
duty it shall be to inspect the books OF
ali County officers relating i'll any Way
10 the financial condition OF the County ;
who shall report through the Edgetield
Adrcytiscr, and snch other Of the public
presses as the may deem proper, full
statement Of the result of their lnvestl-
gallons.
| Second: That upon full and fair exam.
ination OF the official books OF the Coun-
" officers as above directed, and deial-
cations found against any OF said Officers,
the Committee. shall report the same
| nf ir no
port TO the Governor and Attorney Cen
rr;,l Of the Stats, the Solicitor of the
Circuit, and the Forema4s ct the Grand
Jury of the County-and require ;Ddict-
menits TO be preferred against such de-
| aulters.
Third: That the Committee are re-
| uuested to report to the Chairman, any
vacancy which may occnr by the failure
81 anv member thereof tG serve, and
thereupon he shall fill such vacancy i'm
lnediately.
Fourth: THAT the Committee are earn
estly requested to commence their, in
ves;igations forthwith, and to pursue
them vigorously to result, in the cause
II public patriotism, public justice, and
public honesty.
Before the endorsement of the Pream-
ble and Resolutions was put to vote, Mr..
J. R .Abley proposed the following
Amendment:
Resolved, That the Committee appoint
ed 10 investigate the books Of the County
officers appriSe the present Board of
who have not discharged faithfully the
I IF OF n
Commissioners,Ia ,Ias the representatives Of
the mouetaay interest of the County, to
bring eirH actions against the bond OF
every officer guilty Of such neglect.
Resolved further, That said Committee
make demand, through the present
County officers respectively, upoc theft
predecessors, for an exhibit Of the books,
vouchers, and papers pertaining to each
office, and now retained hy said prede.
cessors, or any one Of them, and in case
Of a refusal to deliver up and turn over
said books, vouchers and papers that the
Committee notify the solicitor of this
Judicial Circuit Of such resfusal, and re-
quest that an indictment be brought for
such infract.on of the law.
This Amendment was opposed by DR..
D. C. Tompkins and Mr.. J. c. Sheppard,
DIR. 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
ability. The Amendment was lost by
votes. -
Mr.. J. c. Sheppard proposed the fol-
lowing Amendment, which was adopted: