The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-05
THE ls RADICALS IN m THE SOUTH.

THE RADICALS I'M THE SOUTH.
How they Ruined the State Of North
sCarelina.--Curious Confessions, Of. a
Former, Congressman-TheV Villa1nous
Record Of Some Notorious Republican
Leaders.
Correspondence of the NeD York Sun.
GoLDsBoRo', N. O., September 13.
II send you copy Of a letter from John
T.sDeweese, now Of Cleyeland, Ohio, ad-
dressed to the voters of North Carolina,
which has just BEEN published in the
Raleigh Neacs.:: Deweese was one OF the
carpet-baggers who helped to misgovern
this State after the war had closed, and
he was twice elected to Congress from
the Raleigh District by the aid of the
negro vote. cleft the State some years
ago, and processes to have repented OF his
misdeeds while acting with the Republi-
can party. AT any rate, whether he IS
sincere in his repentance or not, he, has
made an open confession, which is good
for his soul, but exceedingly bad for his
former associates, who have represented
Grants Administration here, and are,now
the IeadefsEof Tie Hayes and Wheeler
party Of Moth Carolina Ft>S
There is hardly prominent Republi-
can in the State, from the ex-Confederate
Settle, who is the candidate of that party
for Governor, down to the rural district
managers, who was not member of the
Ring which Deweese; exposes, and the
main facts that he recounts have long
been known to the plundered taxpayers.
In 1872, when Grant was running for re-
election, not less than 1915, 600 taken
from the United States Treasury, ostensi-
bly, for the purpose of suppressing Illicit
distilIing, was spent by United States
officials in this State for political pur-
poses.
1t is singular fact that, so far as is
known, there has not been. one. revenue
Collector appointed by Grant in North
Carolina who has not proved defaulter,
and the aggregate stealings Of these de-
faulters amount to over half a million
dollars.
Below are the most interesting portions
of the address of Deweese. The James
H. Harris mentioned in it is the leading
colored politician in the State, and the
chief manager of the Republican party
here. Holden is the impeached and dis
graced Governor who desired to see
Grant made Emperor, and to have his
son Fred succeed him on the throne:
DEWEEsE's ADDRESS.
To the Voters of North Carolina:
When / left your State, six years ago,
it was with determination to never
again mingle with politics; but, in a
quiet. way, vote, for and support the men
and party thought were best for my
country's welfare. Ihad also determined
tLat SO far as any of the matters connec-
ted with politics in your State were to be
of sealed nature, SO lar as was con-
cerned, to let the dead past bury its dead
shed 10 tear over its grave; but, un-
fortunately, perhaps, for some ofthe par
ties concerned, they concluded they
would shift their sins on toimy shoulders.
Now, I have enough of my own to bear,
and propose, in q few statements, to put
the sin where it properly belongs
In the first place was, as you all
know, an officer in the regular army of
the United States, stationed among you
from the close of the war until resigned
10 take the appointment of Register in
Bankruptcy, which ! held until 1858,
whenIwas elected to Congress. When
the Constitutional Convention ia 1868
was in session, Messrs. Soutter d Co.,
bankers of New York city, were desirous
of getting that assemblage of corrupt and
doubtful representation 10 endorse ST.
100000 of the old State bonds, or re-
pledge the faith of the State to their pay.
ment. I was then inexperienced in all
kinds of legislation, but had quite an ex-
tensive acquaintance with the members
of that body. One of them, General
Joseph C. Abbott, late Senatoe in Con-
gress,- on learning what Messrs. Soutter
& Co. wanted, told me that they would
pay some considerable money to get the
Convention to pass law re-endorsing
the bonds; that if would see Mr.. Por-
ter, then in Raleigh, and make bargain
with him for some definite sum, he (Ab-
bott) would put the bill through the Con-
vention, and that we would divide the
money received from Soutter & Co. I
did as he suggested. Mr.. Porter agreed
to give $4,000. General Estes, then q
partner, or in some way connected with
Abbott, represented Abbott; the bill
was passed, and money paid by draft on
New York, and cashed at the Raleigh
National Bank. The money was divided
in Abbott's room, be and Estes .aking
$1,000, and I getting the other $4,000.
Of this sum, Isgave $500 10 Major Rice,
from Pitt County; $3.50 to james b..
Harris, and kept the remainder.
This was the commencement of the
swindles that were pefpetrated by the
Convention and Legislature which led to
the financial ruin of your State. Before
the close Of the Convention the bill was
passed giving State aid to the Chatham
road, and $4,000 of bonds were given to
General Littlefeld to pay members for
their votes.
The Legislature met, and the members,
ever clamorous for all kinds of swindles
and steals, their influence and their votes
were up for sale to the highest bidder.
At that time the ring was formed by
Swepson, Abbott and Littlefeld, by
which all of these stealing laws were
passed. They had up to that time been
friendly with me. / was, through their
influence and liberal use of money,
nominated to Congress. Mr.. James Il.
Harris was the only opponent / had in
the convention, and he was paid by me
$1,000 to get out of the way and support
me. 1 paid him by check on the Raleigh
National Bank, dated February %, 1868.
About this time the ring concluded they
would make a close corporation and
shake me, but demurred, and MIR.
Swepson paid me $4,000 and I released
any claim I had on them, or the spoils OF
the ring.
I was again nominated, when Harris
again wanted to leech me; and this time