Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-20
A CARD FROM C. s. BRICE, Esq.
CHESTER, s. c., April 8, ls7

To the Editor of the Rock Hill Grange:
MY DEAR SIR: My attention has very recent
ly been called to two editorials in your issues OF
the 10Th and 23d of March, ultimo, touching the
late attempted investigation of the official con-
duct of Judge Mackey wherein you make certain
charges against the President and Board of Di
rectors of the C. & L. N. G. R. R. Co., refiecting
upon their honor and integrity as men invested
with an important and responsible Official trust
The fact that have been for some time confined
to my chamber by severe and protracted illness,
has delayed any response to your structures until
this moment; and here allow me to say, Mr.. Ed
itor in all candor, that whilst deem these strc-
lures as exceedingly unjust, and as calculated TO
affect most injuriously the reputation and good
name of the gentlemen therein referred to, can
not believe, from my information as to your own
character, that you intended wanton mischief. l
therefore conclude that your Judgment has been
made up hastily, and without sufficient knowl-
edge of the facts in the case as they really were
and are.
will now, without further preface, proceed to
lay these facts fully before you, and having done
so, I am fully persuaded that you will make us
the proper amende honorable, and your own read
ers, and the public generally will be fully satis-
fed that we are not "men damned by our own
words" nor condemned by our works, as is
harshly charged against US.
1st. At the regular al nual meeting ofthe stock
holders of our company, held at Dallas in N. c.,
in May, 1874, on motion ofa stockholder from that
State, the Board of Directors were authorized to
present to Hon. T. J. Mackey, of South Carolina,
some proper testimonial in acknowledgement OF
his efficient and disinterested services in procur-
ing subscriptions to the capital stock of the COM
pany in n. @. Judge Mackey was not present at
the emeetng, and am entirely satisfied, knew moth
ing of the matter, until furnished with copy ofthe
resolutions by the secretary ofthe company; and
l am further satisfied, that no one at the meet
ting thought of offering bribe to Judge Mackey.
Nor was the case of Glenn ct al. Us. the County
Commissioners of York, or any other case, pres
ent future, once thought OF in connection with
the proposed testimonial. In fact, it was under
stood by the stockholders that Hon. t. j. Mackey
was man of limited means We knew that ne
had rendered the company efficient services IN
North Carolina at his own cost and charges, and
it was desired simply to recognize our obligation
to him. not as Judge, but as an individual. The
Board of Directors have never as yet any ac-
ton under that resolution, though the matter has
been occasionally casually mentioned in the meet
ings Of the the Board: Indeed, we nave Always
funds to carry into effect the object OF this reso-
luton of the stockholders.
I can therefore assert, in all good conscience,
that Judge Mackey has never, at any time, deman-
ded fee of the company, nor has the company
ever rendered to him money or any other thing of
value as compensation for services rendered or
to be rendered in any capacity whatever.
It is proper for me, however, in this connection,
to state that was present on one occasion, when
in the course of conversation between Judge
Mackey and DR.. Davega, the President of the com
nany. the latter introduced the matter of the
proposed testimonial, and said that he thought
he would suggest to the Board OF Directors to
present him with number Of shares of the CAPT
tai stock of the company (either ten or fifteen, or
fifteen or twenty-I am not sure of the precise
nampsr) in discharge of said resolution. Judge
Macksy promptly declined to allow any sueh
@ 6ehaif az any yUe' menber Of hs y The Presi
dent ofthe company made this suggestion Of his
own motion, and without any authority from the