The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-02
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
A. Plain Talk with Him on the Aspect
of Public Affairs.

A representative of the NewS and C6u-
r;er had long conversation with Gov
ernor Chamberlain few days ago at his
office in Columbia The conversation
extended over Iii the recent topics of
public interest in our State, and was so
full and explicit as to lead to the request
that we might present to our readers such
parts of it; as would, in our Judgment, be
Of interest to the public.
The conversation opened with refer
ence to the recent absence of the Gov
ernor from the State and the unfavorable
comments, in some quarters, upon that
absence.
Governor Chamberlain said that ne
went North on the 25th of June, prima-
rily to meet his engagement before the
Yale Law School, and next with view
to find rest from the uninterrupted strain
of official cares and labors which he had
borne since last December. He staid
away, he said, no longer than was abso-
Iuteiy essential to his health.
After some further conversation OF q
general nature, our representative re-
marked that among the events occurring
during the Governors absence was the
Trial of Ex-Treasurer Parker, and the
testimony of Ladd that, in conversation
between Ladd and Parker, the latter had
said that he understood that part the
coupons tS50,000) were set aside or ap-
portioned to the Governor. The Gov
ernor was asked if he proposed to make
any public statement denying the truth
efthis testimony. He ereplied with much
warmth of manner and tone that he
would never volunteer denial of such
charge; that selfrespect required him
to wait till such a charge was put in q
form which would enable him to meet it.
1t was suggested to the Governor that,
if he was unwilling to appear as vo!un-
teer in denial of such matters, he might
answer such questions as should be asked
him. To this he assented, and said:
Certainly, I will answer questions to
any extent; but will not appear before
the public with personal statement till
somebody brings direct charge against
me-" He added: "I shall answer any
question you may ask with pleasure"
THE GOVERNOR AND THE COUPON
FRAUDS.
The Governor was then asked if he re-
called the testimony of Ladd, in which
allusion was made to himself. de re-
piled that he did, and our representative
then said: "Well, sir, is there any truth
in the statement or inference that you
received any part of the coupons referred
to in Parker's caseT
Governor. 'None whatever; it is a
baseless falsehood, by whomsoever con-
cocted, or repeated, or insuated. 1t has
not the slightest shadow or fact to rest
upon"
Question. 'Did you ever know ofany
division of coupons among any persons,
snch as was indicated in Parker's trial ?"
Governor. "Never, sir. Inever heard
of such thing, or of any transaction re-
motely resembling it, till the public
heard it on the trial of Parker"
Question. "Did you ever hear that
any coupons were set aside for you, or
did you ever receive or hear that you
were to receive any coupons or anything
else as part of a division of coupons I"
Governor. "Never. Butyou need not
multiply questions. I say to you that
the statement to which you allude is
false in every actual or conceivable phase,
degree, sense or meaning. [ not only
never had any part or lot in, or knowl-
edge of, such a transaction, but 1 never
in any way or owned, held or was in any
manner interested in any coupons or any
thing connected with coupons, and l
never even owned or held a 'consolida-
ton bond. fyou can frame a broader
or more explicit denial of everything
connected with the coupon business |
will adopt it. I have no knowledge of it
whatever, except what the public have
through the Investigations Of last winter
and the recent trial. Ifany man living
can connect me in any way whatever
with these coupons, let him come for
ward. Idsty tie scorld to do it,"
The Governor added that it was OF
course unpleasant and disgusting to have
ones name connected with such transac-
tions in any way, but that he could not
be responsible for false and unfounded
tales which might be told, and no fair
minded man ought to he affected by such
tales till there was something like evi-
dence to support them. t
PROSECUTIONS OF CULPRIT OFFICIALS.
The Governors attention was called to
the subject of prosecutions generally
against dishonest and unfaithful public
officers, and he said with great emphasis,
IT am in favor of holding every public
officer to rigid accountability, and if he
violates the law am in favor of his pun
ishment. shall do my whole duty in
every such case. If / have any knowl-
edge of dishonest transactions | shall
place it in the hands of those whose duty
it is to prosecute offenders against the
law. will aid any man who is engaged
in such work in all possible ways. |
confess, however, that l am not so much
interested.in what is past and gone as l
am in what Is present and coming. 1t
will, think, task all our energies to the
utmost to stop up the open leaks, and
stallnch the running wounds. Another
thing; when prosecutions are started, it
they are to command the public conf
dence, they must be so conducted as to
give evidence that the motive actuating
the State is the. public good. The mo-
ment they seem to be used as political
machines they will be worse than useless.
Wherever see or shall be shown an
opportunity to aid in furnishing crime or
preventing crime shall do my duty, and
venture now to say that shall not be
the first to cry Hold, enough Time
will show whether l or others will fnd
prudential reasons for dealing gently