The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-03-04
Our Columbia Correspondence.

the part of the House of Representatives.
Our Columbia Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, Feb. 27, 1875.
There has been quite lively fight going on
this week over the threatened impeachment of
the Treasurer Some time ago committee
was appointed to examine the books of the
Treasurer with the view of bringing to light
some fraudulent transactions said by some to
have been committed. The committee In its
report shows that large number of bonds,
over million, were fraudulently funded; that
$45O,000 of coupons, which had been paid in
gold, were also funded. There is no positive
proof as to who stole these coupons, but Car
doza knew or should have known that they had
been paid, and should not, therefore, have
again paid them by allowing them to be fun
ded. The committee also charge upon the
Treasurer the dishonest use of 100000, collec-
ted to pay the interest on the public debt but
which had not been used in consequence of the
Intervention of the funding act Of the last
session. There are various opinions as to the
objects and purposes of this controversy. Some
suppose that the old stagers, finding no money
on hand out of which to enrich themselves,
have adopted this course or system by which to
black mail the Treasurer. Others, again, re-
gard it as continuation of the contest on the
part of the ultras against the administration,
while others regard it as bona fde effort to
correct the irregularities, either voluntary or
involuntary, which have been proven to exist
in the Treasurer's Office From the character
of the movers in this measure, and from the
conclusive and exhaustive report of the COM
mittee, your correspondent is of the opinion
that the first supposition is not true. Again,
both factions are exerting every means to unite
with them the Conservative members; the
ultras by trying to make it appear that in their
pursuit of the Treasurer they are the real re-
formers, while the administration party are
endeavoring to impress upon the Conservatives
the idea that this contest is a secret blow aimed
at the Governor, and to defeat his party. 1t is
impossible yet to Interpret with any certainty
the maneuvers of the two opposing factions
This much, however, can be safely said, that
the Conservatives are fully aware of the i'm
portant position which they occupy, and events
will prove them to have been faithful watch
men over the interests intrusted to their
keeping. Neither faction so far understand
the views of the Conservatives and this uncer-
tainty only serves to urge both to renewed
efforts, which no doubt will bring to the surface
many strange developments. SO far, it has
been observed that Cardoza, whether guilty or
not guilty, is endeavoring to shield himself
from the Conservatives by taking refuge behind
the Governor, and to all appearances he has
some of the newspapers at least on his side.
It was understood that the settlement of the
floating debt should not be attempted during
this session. but this understanding was viola
ted by Leslie introducing bill for its settle
ment, which he succeeded in having passed to
third reading. This bill is swinde of the
first water, and is gotten up under specious
pretext to secure the payment of mass of
fraudulent pay certificates and other fraudulent
claims It provides for commission who shall
determine the validity of these debts either in
part or in whole. When valid, they are to be
exchanged for Comptro!ler's warrants at the rate
of fifty cents on the dollar; and the Comptroller
is compelled to collect tax of one-half mill
for four consecutive years, which shall be ap-
piled exclusively to the settlement of this debt.
This settlement is made to partake of the ma
ture of contract, and by the duties imposed
upon the Comptroller it re-enacts the same con-
dition of affairs which existed once before, and
| which the extra session of 1873 was called to
correct. The bill passed the House by strict
party vote The developments of the week go
far to establish the position assumed by your
correspondent some weeks ago, which was that
the Republican party was still utterly corrupt,
and if reform ever comes to bless this State, it
must come from some other quarter than out
of the Radical party.
Senator Cochran's bill to prohibit the buying
or receiving of seed cotton after sun-down or
before sun-up, and which had already passed
the Senate, was passed to third reading in
the House, anu p4uS lah w oo0oino O i""'
This will be a good law.
The House yesterday passed a joint resolution
fixing Friday next as the day for the Assembly
to adjourn sine die, but the Senate to-day laid
the resolution on the table. 1t is beyond the
ken of mortal to imagine even when we will
be able to adjourn. But if the Republicans
expect to worry out tho Conservatives, and
drive them home as they did once before, and
then rush through host Of bad legislation'
they will be mistaken. The Conservatives Will
be found at their post to the very last.
SENTINEL.
The Louisiana Compromise.
The troubles in Louisiana are now likely to
be settled by all parties agreeing to the propo-