The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-17
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: statement OF the origin of the late
difficulties. The statement is signed
by B. G. Humphries, ex Governor; j.
a. Klein. President OF the Mississippi
Valley Bank; B. r. Thomas, President
of. the Yicksburg Bank; G.. Gordon,
Adams Express; the United States
District Attorney and United States
Commissioner; Charles E. Furlong,
Republican State Senator, John j.
Finney, ex-United States army officer.
and other prominent citizens. After
recounting that the Warren County
officers of 1873 were nearly all negroes,
the statement shows that T. W. Car
dozo, Circuit Clerk. was elected State
Superintendent OF Education. aud
Governor Ames thereupon, contrary
to explicit law and the State Constitu-
ton, appointed A. W. Dorsey his sue
cessor in August, 1874. Upon the
affidavit of the State Auditor of Public
Accounts, Dorsey was arrested for
issuing false and forged certificates.
Dorsey was committed to Jail and re-
signed. Again the vacancy was filled
by appointment by Governor Ames,
contrary to law, and the appointee
still holds possession of the office. The
investigation into Dorsey's frauds dis
covered Cardoza to be guilty of simi-
lar offences. George W. Davenport,
q negro, was elected Chanoery Clerk,
and was the sole custodian of the
County seal and public records. It
being discovered that large amounts of
forged warrants were in circulation,
Davenport was repeatedly called upon
TO make report to the Board OF Su-
pervisors, and persistently failed to do
so. He refused a committee of tax
payers permission to examine the re-
cords, and it may be added here that
after his flight it was discovered that
lie had no bond whatever on record
At the October term of the Circuit
Court, Dorsey, Davenport and Cardoza
were indicted by the grand jury, com.
posed of ten blacks and seven whites.
During an inquiry into the offence,
the books of the County Treasurer and
other valuable records bearing evil
dence of the guilt Of the parties were
stolen, and other records used in the
investigation and put in charge
Of Sheriff Crosby, we're also stolen.
The Sheriff is also tax collector, ami
required to give bonds in 500, 900.
He gave q worthless bond, aud when
its worthlessness was known several Of
his sureties withdrew, thus making the
instrument illegal. The supervisors
attorney (Republican) declared the
bond illegal, but the board refu scd to
order new one. 1t was generally IN.
derstood that the board acted under
the influence of the Sheriff and the
indicted officials who were interested
in keeping him in Office. In Novem-
Der the Sheriff published o card call
ing on tag payers to pay mp. MnI say
ing he would hold the Sheriff : office
until ousted by the Supreme Court.
In this condition Of affairs, taxes
amounting to five per cent. of the
values were due; the Sheriff, TO whom
the taxes were payable, was insoiveut
and 5ondless; the Board OF Snper-
Visors, though importnned to do So,
had failed to take the measures re.
Quired by law for tho protection Of the
people; valuable public records aud
papers necessary as evidence to con
vict Cardoza, Davenport and Dorsey
on the indictment found against them
had been stolen from the court house,
Of which the Sheriff is by law the
keeper; Sheriff Crosby was known to
be an Intimate personal and political
friend of these criminals, and, besides
being charged with the important duty
of summoning the jurics by whom
they should be tried, was the custodian
OF the records furnishing the evidence
of their guilt. and failed to protect the
same from larceny and spoliution; and
TO all appearance these officials seemed
banded together for mutual protection,
and in strength of numbers and mu.
tual countenance were defying the laws
Of the State aud ErostitutiDg their Of
tces to their private ends.
IN this condition Of alf airs the tax
payers had meeting. and, as already
known, demanded the resignation Of
the officials. Crosby resigned und the
others fled. Crosby then went to jack.
son to consult Governor Ames, and
Ames issued proclamation command-
ing tue taxpayers to disperse. Con
teuporaneousIy with Ames' procluma-
ton, card signed by Peter Crosby
was circulated among the colored peo.
pie, denonnciug the whites us ruiiuns
and barbarians, and calling on his
friends 10 come to the aid of the sheriff
and support him. On the same day
Governor Ames, the Adjutant Gcccrn
and aid arrived in Vlcksbulg, and
abont the same time Hall. the captain
OF negro compu6y Os militia, received