The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-02


ward their moneys to him by express, at his
expense, almost daily, aud when the periods
arrived for the county treasurers to remit
ther fppds TO me it was done by checks upon
Mr.. Soiomon's bank. ~ i
TEe effect Of this pernicious agreement be-
tween Mr. Solomon and the county treasurers
was to entirely disatrange my plans Of regu.
intlng the amount Of money in his bank
demonstrated with several county treas.
urers, and they told Mr.. Solomon, who came
to me aud charged me with desire to iniure
his bank.
And now mark the consequences of
my action in behalf OF the interest of the
State Mr.. Solomon goes to the general "a.
sembly and has had put through a bill to
mako his and another bank the sole and ex
elusive repositories OF State funds That bill
now awaits the action Of him whom wise
Providence has placed over the destncs of
South Carolina at this critical period
In reducing the amount of State funds In
the hands OF Mr.. Solomon, I acted solely with
view TO the proper protection of the State
against loss and disaster, which had reason
TO believe was impending. If the general
assembly think had no reason thus to fear.
lot them call for the list of assets which were
furnished by Mr.. Solomon, and on which the
board acted in reaching the conclusion that
the funds OF the State were not safely kept
acted on evidence throughout and acted
with the sole object Of saving the State from
loss by reducing the balance on hand in Mr..
Solomon's bank to such an amount that if his
threats were carried out, to hold all the funds
III his bank as ON Offset against his State
claims, the loss to the State would DO as small
as could possibly make it.
AS have before shown, had right to do
this under any proper construction of the
law; aud, if had no strict legal right to do
It, L acted for purpose which, to say the
least, should not subject me to censure; but I
htmbly submit to the verdict of a faithful and
vigilnnt care for the States interest
have now examined and answered the
several charges made against me by the COM
mttee. 1 have placed my defense on the
broad and clear ground that l have violated
no law, have failed in no duty, have omitted
no precaution, but have stood, as was bound
to stand, as the guardian of the interests of
the State at all times.
In submitting this reply, say distinctly
that I ask no favor nor immunity from the
full responsibility for my acts This investi-
CATION aud its results have given me no pain
save in the evidence it has afforded me of the
haste with which those who have personal
m ftoin xr,;l
functions and powers to the attempt to strike
down public officer who stands in their
way.
Called as ] was, to the administration of
the treasury at period when our State credit
was utterly lost, our treasury empty, and
every public interest and institution on the
verge of collapse, with duties more arduous
and responsible than were ever before placed |
upon any treasurer Of the State, have the |
happiness to know that my bitterest personal
enemies cannot point to one error in my ac-
counts to tho loss of one dollar out of the |
many millions entrusted to my care, or to the
diversion of one dollar from the object to
which the law had deyoted it.
1t would not have been strange if had
suffered both from my own occasional mad
vertence in the midst Of my duties, 80 vast and
complicated, or if had been made the victim
OF some Of those to whom l might have en-
trusted the performance of duties connected
with my office. I congratulate myself not
only that my own care and rectitude have
saved me from errors OF my own, but in no
instance has the confidence reposcd by me in
any of my assistants been abused.
My single aim has been to do nv duty
fearlessy and faithfully. The obstacles which
have hitherto surrounded me aro now greatly
diminished by tho presence Of one as gov
ernor whose sole aim is to redeem our State
government from it's past discredit and to
restore good will to all our people.
In that work profess myself to be, on all
occasions and under all circumstances, q cor
dial and unialtc'ing co-aborer with the gov
ernor, and have the consolation of knowing
to-day-a consolation of infinitely moro value
to me than the plaudits Of the self-seeking
politicians Of the hour-that l have earned
his confidence and esteem in the discharge of
oil my duties. both as an officer and as ono
who loves tho State and seeks in all ways
TO build up its prosperity, and advance the
honor aud credit which are now daily re-
turning to bless all our people.
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