The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-03
THussDAy MORNING, JUNE 8, 1876.

THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1875
''Gov. Chamberlain and his Friends"
The Columbia Un;on.Herald comes to the
front With diatribe against the position as
sumed by this journal towards Gov. Chamber
lain. It was intended, no doubt, to squelch
any further utterances on the subject, Judging
from its uncourteous and arrogant manner, and
reveals disposition to strike down at once the
fsintest semblance of opposition to Mr.. Cham
berlain, in order to prevent criticism OF his
actipgs and doing, past or present. This game
will not work just yet, nor will our contempo-
rary satisfy the people by such line OF de-
fence. We did not write the article on Gov.
Chamberlain to please his friends and political
allies. nor are We amenable to them tor our
method of dealing with public characters
We want DO eFusive thanks from Gov Cham
berIain, nor are we seeking the complacent
adulation of any of his friends. Without fear,
favor or affection we shall condemn or applaud
his administration whenever we deem proper,
and we shall be guided solely by sense OF
justice toward political opponent, as we un'
derstand the meaning of the term-not accord
ing to the standard of partisan and prejudlced
friends, who are seeking selfglori6cation and
personal advancement through their unlimited
praises of everything connected with the pres
ent administration.
The object we had in view is purposely ig'
nored by the Un;on-Rerald. We desired that
the infamous record of the past should not be
forgotten, and that the authors of the black
ened crimes in official circles should not be
permitted to escape the just censure and merit
ed punishment which belongs to them. Be-
yond the borders of South Carolina, we OBJ
served that there prevailed suspicion and doubt
in regard to the intentions of Gov. Chamber
lain in this prosecution of old offenders, tor
the reason that he was closely connected with
these men during the most active and lucrative
period of their spoiation. Within the State,
it seemed that industrious efforts were making
to manufacture public sentiment in his favor,
accepting the contrition and repentance OF the
present as justification for all the misdeeds
of former times, or declaring that bis entire
innocence was fully established by the honesty
and integrity more recently displayed. Now,
we do believe that much depends upon the
administration of Gov. Chamberlain in looking
after the abuses and thefts Of the Scott admin
istration. His lukewarmness and inactivity
will surely assist the true conspirators to es-
cape: and if he is connected with any of the
numerous crimes against good government
which marked that unhappy period, as person
al enemies within his own party freely allege,
then will the pressure of his official influence
be felt on the side Of the criminals, and op-
posed to the highest aud best interests of an
outraged people. We want distinct under
standing whether or not the guilty parties are
to be shielded or exposed by the present ad-
ministration whether or not its power and
influence are to be exclusively devoted to mag
nifying its OWL worth, while stealthily conceal
ing the errors, wrongs and villainies of the
former partners of Mr.. Chamberlain.
1t has long since been admitted as an unde-
niable fact that the leading and controlling
officers Of the Scott administration were guilty
of the most fagrant and rapacious frauds upon
the public treasury. Thousands and millions
were stolen from the people through the opera
sious Of the Financial Board, the Land Com
mission and the Sinking Fund Commission.
Bonds were issued to the amount Of millions
without any authority of law, and every con-
ceivable fraud practiced upon helpless people,
It is matter of record that Mr.. Chamberlain
was member of these Identical boards and
commissions, through whose instrumentality
such wholesale plundering was effected and
made possible. For instance, to be more e1-
plicit, MIR. Chamberlain was q member of the
Financial Board, which, in connivance with
She cherubic Kimpton, issued fraudulent bonds
20 the amount of six millions of dollars. He
has never denied the illegal and fraudulent
character of this transaction, nor can it be al
legged that he attempted to prevent its consum-
nation, and we have no record that his powers
as Attorney General were e1eEted to bring his
associates to punishment.
Miles G. Parker was member Of the same
Boards and Commissions with Mr. Chamber
lain. Unhappy and unfortunate Niles did not
keep his tracks altogether concealed, and ne
was landed in Jail short time ago upon charg-
es which do not implicate the Governor. His
conviction OF alleged frauds will not affect
other people only indirectly. His being made
to disgorge will not deplete the pockets OF
former associates and friends, unless they
choose to come to his relief. He may be stub
bornly inclined just now, and while never pro-
Tossing any great amount of innocence, he may
prove unwilling to suffer and endure the entire
obloouy on behalf of the Scott administration.
uo 10 making no great pretensions to respecta-