The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-09-21

could, and pulled the wires or employed himp-
ton TO act as his proxy. 1t is too preposerous
for him now to pretend blindness and inno-
cence.
WHY rAck ER SAYS HB TELL.
In 1874 u civil action was brought against me
before n mi xod jury, Judge Carpenter presiding,
TO recover S450,000, Of which amount it was al
lered had defrauded the State by funding cou-
pons wrongtully detached. The sole witness OF
Importance TO the prosecution was fornerclerk
of mine pamed Ladd, who sworo that told him
one day at dinner that had funded that amount
of coupons for Scott, Neage, kimpton, Cham
berlain and myself. lie did not say that the pro
tec6s were delivered TO Chamberlain well
to the others, but that Kimpton received the
amount which it was understood he was TO &c,
count for to Chamberlain. Well, the jury sat
on the trial about two weeks and finally agreed
together that something must be done; so they
brought in verdict against me Tor > '5,O00.-
Assuming for the sake OF the argument that tue
verdict was lcgitimately rendered, why wero
not indictments drawn against The othe's vino
were impeached by the same testimony? If
Ladd was to be believed, all concerned in this
transaction were equally guilty and exposed to
prosecution FOR their share in il. His evidence,
if it affected one, it affected all. These state
nents will be denied, Of course. but have en-
deavored to state the plain facts accurately
rs could GO not seek to deny or cxtenuate
the part which took in this ring corruption.
frankly admit these acts of mine in South
Carolina, which now bitterly regret aud which
would give much to be able TO blot out. can
ONLY say that | went to South Carolina an hon
est man. and succumbed like others to the great
temptations in my path. We were surrounded
by enemies and were obliged to maintain
places by the exercise Of all the power witch we
could get into our hands. With the power and
opportunity presented to us, surrounded as we
were by array Of unusual temp ations, temp
tatons such rs few men ever had presented TO
them before, il is not strange, perhaps. that
rings were formed aud corruption reigncd as it
did in New York city under the Tweed ring
SO far, however, as my official action State
Treasurer in concerned, | deny that there are
any irregularities in my accounts. There was
no pluadcring Of the STATE Treasury except that
authorized by the Legislature. | paid such
claims as were audited and presented in accord
ance with law, but the books carefully
kept and no irregular payments made to any
person. The suit brought against inc WAS for
funding coupons after left the office Of Treas
urer, aud the accounts which | delivered ovcr
to my successor have never been impeachcd.
After the election Of 1872 ! remained in Co
lumbia on private business. l began the prac-
tce of law in Major Melton's office, and contin-
ued as q student there until went to Europe
in 1874. In the fall of 1874 | came North and
settled in Jersey City, engaging in business in
New York. For the past two years have tried
to live an honest and Christian life and TO help
as far lay in my power. do not wish 10
conceal the record Of my life in Columbia, but
desire also that the life which have Leen lead
ing for the past two years should be considered
when my case is passed upon in judgment.
RING PICTURED IN DETAIL.
| have respect for the men with whom |
was connected for six years. Chamberlain inn
presses ME as cold reserved, calculating and
INSCRIPTIONS man in his ambition for power.
place and reputation. In his conduct toward
ha hoe ha"~ hypo"ritirnl Ne wall as h"s"
Card0zo believe to be an oily, plausible. in
triguing, unprincipled fellow and it seems like
~ that he will be shown up, in the present in.
ve.tigation, in his true light
Frank Moses is good dnaured, easy going man,
with no principles in particular and little pre-
tensions to any. SO long as his father alive
he had no fear Of any prosecution, and was
more open than some OF the others in his un-
dcrhanl dealings.
kimpton is fit ally for Chamberlain, exactly
the man to have heen his most intimate fricn,,
In college and he has worked in close accord
with him. They not warm friends. be.
cause each was too selfish to care much about
anybody except himself
Patterson an active member of the ring
and is dipped as deep MS any Of them. lie may
succeed i'll supprcssng the investigation 80 far
rs he is concerned, backed by the influence which
he can control, but the suppression of cvdcn
is the only thing that save him from nJicl
mcnt.
As to the present condition Of South Carroll
ma, certainly think that il is better than when
in the hands OF the ring. Wade Hampton be-
leve to be an honest man and one who will try
to do his duty by all classes Of the citizens |
have no doubt that many colOrcd votes were
cast for him at the last election. Many of the
blacks had become disgusted with the Chamber
lain government and the Wholesale plundering
that was going On under the ring, and which
Chamberlain, at least, did not interfere to pre-
vent. | am convinced that the determined
struggle which Chamberlain made to retain his
post as Governor was due largely TO his rooted
dislike of having the new administration over
haul the record Of the past eight years. If i.;.-
munty from suspicion or direct charges could
have been assured him he would not have held
out long. The control OF the State is now
so entirely in Democratic hands that the Repub-
lcans have practically no chance of political
success for years TO come. The party was trus-
ted with the reins Of government and misused
its t.rlst. All people have lost confidence in The
integrity of the Republican leaders, and the
party, as n polcal organization, has fallen to
pieces.
Shameful MoNOroLy.-The frcghs on
merchandise over the Northeastern Railroad the
Wilmington Columbia q Augusta Railroad, and
the Cher.w and Darlington Railroad especial
ly the latter, are certainly outrageous Recent
ly Mr.. Welsh received n barrel Of whiskcy from
Wilmington, and was charged 50 - freight
On Wednesday of last week he received another
barrel from Charleston, the same weight and
SIZE and the freight same was S3 Co. Such