The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-14
SOUTH CAROLINA Affairs.
Gov. Hampton Defeated on the Bopd Ques-
tlon-Patter sen ktim Ia Dagger.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ~. Information re-
ccivcd hero from Trustworthy parties in CO.
umbia, y. g., IN to the effect that tho efforts Of
Gov. Hampton to cover up the rascalitcs Of tho
RinR that prOftcd 30 largely by the consolidated
bond Bwndlc arc likely 30 prove abortivn.
Hampton's defence OF his course Is speclous
one. Ilo claims that the preservation OF the
credit OF the State is absolutely necessary in
order to insure its future prosperity. This can
only Uc done by making provision for the pay
ment Of principal and interest of all tho bonds.
without regard 10 whether they were issued Tor
n valuable consideration or not He admits
that the greater proportion Of the consolidated
bonds were fraudulently issued. but holds that
the State il in good faith bound 10 protect nno-
cont purchasers Tho reply to this is that tho
whole world had notice that n Ring OF scoun-
drcls were running the State Government and
pundering II for their own enrichment The
warning was persistent and unceasng. The
scheme Of issuing consolidated bonds was de-
nounced az trick to cover up the ncfarous
dolngs OF the Chamberlain Ring. and all who
purchased knew that they were buying ques-
tionable securities and did so at their own risk
They took tho chances, knowing what they were
about This party evidently IL In tho majority
They defeated Judge Porter who wanted to be
Associntc Justice Of the Supreme Court. because
policy They elected Gary Of Elgeiirld to be-
Chairman Of the Committee on Finance In the
Senate and made Sheppard, also OF Elgpfpld
Speaker OF the House Of Reprcs natives.
Mcminger. who was the candidate Of HAMPTON
for Speaker. wns proposed aitcrward for Chair
WIS Defeated because he favors payment Of all
tho bonds. The committee to Investigate the
bonded deb; Of the State are ready to report and
have been for some time since, but for some rea-
son they nnvr been delayed. IL Is known that
the report IL Il very thorough one, tracing every
hon a a ina D.
each series covered. When tins report is once
made. Hampton knows that II will be impossible
to stem IN" tide Of public opinion which ia sure
70 set against ms policy. and hence the delay he
~ 30 anxious for. This report does not faint ali
the bonds and declare thcm all bud. II only de-
clarcs against those which the evidence shows
hoNond question arc fraudulent. II does not
favor reputation. II only holds that fraud
vtiates everything 1t touches. and claims that
the law which applcs To private transactions
ought To DO applied TO the fiscal affairs of u
S,Htc.
stiil great feeling against Patterson In South
Carolina. and thnt II II not confined to the
Democrats. The Republcans-the few of them
ln't-nrc his most uncomlromiSi enemies
There are great many Democrats who are I'M
willing 10 curry out tho promises Butler made
and to accomplish which he IL now in Column
bia. The House recently passed n resolution
unanimously to send the report " the invcsti-
eating committee in regard TO Plitrr~on's oh
tanning his election to the Senate hy bribery to
the Senate of tn" United States That this rosO-
luton WIS aimed at Butler MISC il plain. because
II tlftlft MN 10 present tnt report NRNIuSt
Patterson TO the Senate. The same resolution
came very near goi NJ through the Senate also.
an would certainly have zone through had not
Butler boon thrrc lobbying To prevent Il. But
his succtrs WIS only temporary. There are
several senators who arc dctormln med that the
report shall 20 90 Washington. and they will IN
: - TINT the rommiti"" 10 which the resolution
wis referred shnl max" n report 80 thgt the
whole matter can =" dis fusecd. These Spna-
tors are men who bear no very great love to
Butler and who hate Patterson with vindic-
uvcn's> that knows no rrlentng. Campbell 81
Charleston Is one OF these mcrciloss foes Of all
corrupt bargaining and so IL Cochran. But
even II the bribery report Is suppressed 10y But
lrrs Efforts, the investigating committee Will
make another. disclosing still other crimes Of
which Patterson has boon guilty. Sooner or
later the Senate OF the United States will be
bound TO take action In Pattcrs0n's case. There
Is movement un foot in South Carolina to have
t'rbin contest Butcr's right 10 the scat In the
Senate on the merits Of the ease. II IL held that
the Committee on Privileges and Elections has
not passed on the question Of the legality of
Buffers election. He was admitted only on the
printd fdcie case. and the committee can con
slider 1t ON the merits and report This will
probably Ice done II southern Democrats con-
tnuc 10 support the Fraudulent Admin stra-
ton. Nothing. however. will be done TIL after
the HOLIDAYS. but soon after the r.assembling OF
Congress there will be music in the Senate.