The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-07-13
AFFAiRs IN EEoEF1ELD.-Tho following
correspondence between Gov. Chamber
lain and Judge Carpenter will be pc
rused with interest:
STATE OF South CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

| EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA, June "a, 1875.
Hon. II. B. Carpenter, Jttlge Fifth Cir
cuit, Columbia, S. C.-MY DEAR SIR: Re-
fcrrlng to our conversation respecting
affairs in Edgefeld County of day before
yesterday, thinh it best for me to adj
dress you officially upon tho subject in
addition to our conversation. Com
plnints have come to me SO frequent and
strong OF late, that ought to lay their
substance before you for such official
action Us you may be able to take, if, in
your judgment, any is needod. am the
moro bound to do this because, when I
| was seeking last winter to restore peace
and order to TINT country, especially
advised the people that the courts were
open, and NIL their wrongs could there
be redressed, and nm sure this almoni-
ton had happy effect. Tho present
complaints are, i'll general, rs follows:
l. They complain that the funds of the
County are now being squnndcred on the
poor, while the roads, bridges and other
great interests of the country are almost
wholly neglected.
2. They complain TINT the school fund
is so managed and administered rs to do
little good, incompetent teachers being
employed ut excessive rates of pny.
3. They complain that the office of the
Probate Judge is in condition of dis
graceful neglect, and that large parts of
the records are gone, and that the Probate
Judge Is himself totally incompetent to
discharge his duties.
4. They complain that the Sheriff has,
from.incapacity or inability of some kind.
totally failed to fill the office, or perform
its ordinary duties, his incnpacity or in
ability eliminating recently in the escape
OF several prisoners under sentence of
your Honor to the penitentiary.
o. Ihey complain that the past in
debtedness of the County is still unad-
Justed, and the large fund of some
Sl3,000 is still undistributcd, though
many Of the claimants arc worthy men
and holders of just claims, md that this
fund has been Tor long time in court.
and o referee appointed to audit the
claims.
u. They complain that indictments
now pending and presentments made
against public officers in that County
have not been duly pressed by the Solici-
tor, and TINT the result hos been feel
ing OF dlscouragcment in the work of
holding officials to their proper account
ability.
z. They complain generally of great
lncapacity on the part of many of the
County officers elected by tho people, re-
sulting in deplorable state of things in
all public interests of the County.
These matters embrace the main sub
stantial complaints. You will, of course,
understand that do no moro than state
these complaints. They are er parie, but
| they come from sources which seem en-
titled to respect. 1 must say that fear
not little for the peace of That County
during the present summer, in tho pre-
sent state of feeling there; and if any
thing occurs to you rs a preventive or
remedy for any evils existing there,
most earnestly urge You to apply such
preventive or remedy. If. from your
superior knowledge of the affairs of that
County, you regard the complaints now
stated rs unfounded in fact, or if, being
founded in fact, you have no power to
apply remedy, then the results will not
be chargenble to you. If, on your part,
you see any official or personal action on
my part which will, in any degree, tend
to the advantage of good citizens Of that
County, beg that you will inform me,
and will act with promptncss. If the
complaints made have sufficient founda-
ton to warrant it, venture to suggest
tho calling of IN extra term of the court
for that County, Mt some time not far dis
| tant, Mt which many Of these matters
could be fully and finally investigated.
OF the possibility of such action 1 can
not judge, but think, if practicable, it
would tend to the peace and welfare of
the County. 1 am, very respectfully,
your Honor's obedient servant,
D. II. CHAMBERLAIN,
. Governor South Carolina.
-" COLUMBIA, S. G.. July S, 1875.
His Etcellency D. H. Chamberlain,
Gouernor South Carolina, Columbia, s. c.
My DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 9th
ultimo, referring to the condition of
affairs in the County Of Edgefeld, has
received the serious consideration your
exalted position, character and the i'm
portance of the subject demand.
am aware that the complaints referred
to in your letter are now and some of
them have for long time been made,
and that they emanate from citizens of
responsibility and intelligence 10 what
extent they are founded in justice is not
Within my personal knowledge; but it is
| no1, 1n f<,