Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-05-01
HoU Wade Hampton Keeps his
Promises.

The letter of State Treasury Cardoza,
refusing to give up his office at the de-
mand Of Wade Hampton, reveals the sit
uation in South Carolina to be very diff
ferent from what was promised by the
bulldozers. Instead of waiting for the
courts to decide upon the question at
issue in regard to the present incumbents'
Hampton peremptoriy orders them to
give up their places, Notwithstanding his
pledge that they should not be disturbed.
The usurping Governor has no notion oil
mincing matters. Cardozs's letter is as
follows:
OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 10, 1877.
Hon. Wade Hampton, Columbia, S. c.:
SIR: | received on Saturday evening,
the 14th inst, letter subscribed by
Wade IL. Manning, private secretary, IN
which am informed that the writer Is
directed by you to say, in substance, that
you do not desire to PREJUDICE my claim
to my present Office, that you have indl-
Gated heretofore your opinion OF the fulfil
ity of my assertion of my official rights
and that it would disembarrass the oper-
alton of the Executive Department CONT
ded to my care if were to retire at once.
| am further informed by the same COM
munication that in the event Of my reius-
ing to take the course above requested
you see nothing in my present position
emitting me TO the use Of my office; that
you cannot consent to my remaining IN
my office, and, finally, that your response
biity will require you "to prevent such
an obstruction to the conduct OF the Gov
eminent" | received the foregoing COM
munication Immediately after an inter-
view held by me with YOU in the Execu-
tive Chamber, in which you voluntarily
stated 10 me that you should leave the
question of official rights entirely TO the
courts, and that | could either occupy my
Office or seal it up, to remain undisturbed
until decision of the courts should be
reached You can, therefore, Judge OF
the surprise, not to speak Of other feel
ings, produced by the letter Of your prl-
vate secretary. This feeling Is increased
when | call to mind the language used
by you on so many occasions, and notably
in n communication addressed to the Pres
sident of the United States as follows
IL repeat therefore, that if the Federal
troops are withdrawn from the Statehouse,
there shall be, on my part or that OF my
/ friends, no resort 70 violence to assert
our claims but We shall look for their
maintenance solely 10 such peaceful rem
edies as the Constitution and State pro-
vide. | shall use all my authority to
repress the use or exhibition of force in
the settlement of all disputed questions,
and this authority shall be exercised in
such manner that the peace shall be
preserved
In the face of these pledges you now
call upon me 10 reiinquish my Office, and
you inform me Of your purpose to pre-
vent me from continuing to hold it, 1t
is my duty 10 remind you that | was de-
clared elected TO my present Office by the
Board Of State CauvaSscrs, as the result
of the canvass Of the face Of all the
returns Of the recent election, no returns
being rejected or disailowed in whole or
in part. | was therefore, commissioned
by GOV. Chamberlain at time when his
authority rs governor was undisputed.
Immediately qualified by taking the
oath Of Office and filing my official bond,
and have since been and am now in the
discharge Of the duties Of my Office. 1t
Is my duty further to remind you that,
under proceedings in quo warranto, insti.
tuted by those who were candidates upon
the ticket with YOU, and now pending in
the Supreme Court, the exact question
which you now declare your purpose to
decide adversely 10 me Is put in issue,
and is awaiting the decision Of that court.
Under these circumstances, to prevent me
from continuing to hold my otiics until 4
decision of thc supreme Court Is pro.
n0uncei, Is not only, in my judgment not
ito look to such peaceful remedies as the
Constitution and laws Of the State pro-
vide, but j. rather 1.-THE use and exhibit
ton Of force in the settlement Of dispu-
ted questions.
Il Is almost needless for me to add that
| do not recognize your right as Cover
nor, in any manner to pass upon or decide
my right to my present office, and | can
not comply with the request contained in
the letter OF your private secretary. l
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant.
i. j. CAEpozA. State Treasurer.