The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-19
Ex-Governor Chamberlain on the South
Carolina Situation.
STRANGLED BY HIS PARTY
Reforms Defeated by Negro Ignorance aid
White Corruption.
KINDLY TRIBUTE TO HAMPTON.

Given q small but com nctfy pull inquire, say nVe
feet nine inches in height wiry, elastic ana well
poised: a face iun OF quick intelligence; pair OF blue
ryes that never speak SO eloqucny as when they
The tell,alcs OF intellectual thought; head
prematurely bald but with all oil It's chronological
knobs alphabetically developed; method OF speech
nj ON &C clean cut correct aud pronounced, as II every
word was measured In a scale, and tho reader has a
skeleton pcn picture Of Ex-Governor Chamberlain, OF
South Carolina who has recently occupied
such conspicuous place in the political gallery OF the
nation, and who proposes TO settle in New York
for Tho practice OF law II beng desirable to ascertain
his opinions situation in the Palmetto State, and
the incidents which resulted in the great change which
has there taken place, representative OF the HERALD
yesterday requested and kindly accorded the in
ieryiew a transcript OF which will be found below
REPoRTEa-Coming from South Carolina after the
recent political struggle, what is your impression con-
;crnng tho existing political condition there and It's
possibilities
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
Governor CHAnRgRLAIS-well Mr.. Reporter, the
itory is briefly told Tho democratic party IS now in
ull possession of the entire government oil
The State-legisstive, executive and, FOR the
most part, judicial. Practically there is no
effective opposition by the republican party.
The by which this result has been accomplished
is matter of history with which the country is gen.
orally familiar The contest for the control of the
State was bitter and violent l have heretofore pub
cly stated my view OF the methods employed by
the democratic party and sufficiently empha-
sized my condemnation OF many OF them. II
is faci, however, that there Is peace
and good order throughout the State, although
do not think that this should DO 10 any extent
garded justification OF the Illegal or violent meas
ures that for the purpose OF obtaining
control SILL II may be recognized fact that so
far the State large there have been outrages
power abuse of the colorcd people republicans
generally. at
g :. VINO is TO BLAME?
RpoRrER- overnor had you been properly sus-
tanned by your State officials, by the Legislature
and by the general government when you called upon
1t for assistance, what would have been the result?
Governor CHANEHRLAfy-The contest Is now over and
l do not care to parcel the blame Tor present
results or appear to reflect upon partc-
uiar individuals or departments OF government
THIS, however, 1 say with confidence, that
II had been enabled To carry out the plans aud pur-
poses expressed in my inaugural Message OF Dccem-
Der l. 1874 should have achieved all that General
Hampton has done. Probably his full term OF Office
VIII be required 10 develop bis plans. Had had tho
same time should have effected the same results.
My prime object was the restoration OF good govern
mcnt and an honest administration, and J. think
1t generally admitted that what. l pro-
posed to this end was sympathetic with
the wishes Of tue intelligent community. l believe
that pursued those plans consistently and with
degree OF rmncss and courage. 1t 10 true that was
not successful. but those who have watched the
o. events the state perhaps better
qualified than am TO who is responsible Tor the
failure; certainly do not ieoi that Am. ! am stall
al the opinion hat better condition OF affairs would
have been reached under my administration that I'M
der that Of General Hampton. because no mans civil
political rights would have been abrl aged or denied.
As have already intmaied. 1 regard the present
supremacy OF the democratic party as due 10 me hods
which disregardcd the political rights OF great num-
Der o. the citizens OF State. There was large ma
orty OF the people CT South Carolua entitled 10
who desired continuance of the republican admins
traton, and do not think that General Hampton rep
this element StiIi believe ne Will endeavor
10 make good and honest government 50 far It's
financial and practical departments are concerned.
THE DIFFICULTY or GovKESSG IGNORANCE
SEPoRrER-Among your gubernatofai difficulties
NJ you have 10 encounter the ignorance which Is ma
tup 10 a recent, enfranchised class. and learn the
fact that intelligent whites would Lot accept Office
der your administration because they would naturally
he forced into this objectionable company and be
Thereby socially ostracisedy
Governor CHAMBERLAiy--Frankiy, yes l regarded
the ignorance and nexpcrience OF the masses ot the
republican party in South Carolina OF the in
hercnt and great difficulties IN the political problem
was under the political necessity oil making political
appointments 10 offices nom party which, u rule
not able 10 furnish competent officers repre-
sent tie government.
REpoarER-Dld you at all times find IN the Lcgsla-
ture OF South Carolina, even among the so-caled re-
publlcans, whites as we'll negroes, the support TO
which you considered yourself entitled as republican
lcaderY
Governor CHAMBERIAIN--Here the greatest OF
my dilcues. The majority of the republicans IN the
Legislature were never NeaTtlly IN Win
during any portion OF my nrst term oil Office. Nearly
oil the public measures In which took deep inter-
est passed by minoriiics oil republicans and dem
The reduction OF taxes ana more economical
expenditure Of public funds were naturally the
leading objects which had IN view ana here 1t is hut
justice say that met with almost entire oppos tion
wiiLin the ranks OF the republican party. had to
pond the greater part Of my strength III resisting what
regarded as bad legislation and had very little time
strength left TO devote TO the Inaugural
ton Of better methods or the enactment oil
better laws OF course my idea OF the way
Ia which reformation must be brought about
was through the republican party, because ! knew
that majority OF the people OF The State were a.
tuchci TO that party, ana that tnorc hope Of
inducing them TO JON any other Organization, even tor
local state purposes But the habits OF legislation
winch had grown up between 1865 ana 1874 were
too strong for mo, aud tho result was
that overcome aud my policy only
partially carried out great deal Of evil was
prevented ana some positive good done but only
u small fraction OF the results which within the
power OF the republican party, had II co-opcrated with
me, was mado evident ieol bound 10 say that II |
had been heartily supported IRON 1874 10 1876 the
OF feeling wnicn preceded the ion OF General
Hampton would not have existed. In brief, II my
administration had been supporoi by the whole rcpub
lean party, 1t would have deprived the democrats OF
their grievances and made them acquesce In the
premacy Of tho republican party Tor long series of
years.
FRANK CONFESSION
REroRTER-Dd you find, during this period, support
or sympathy or tho promise OF such IRON The repre-
sentative commercial potca. leaders OF south Car
DINA, AM you In any inf ucnccd thereby
Governor CnAABtRLAIS--i am glad you have asked
change oil circumstances IA political fortunes Will ovor
INC 10 deny or deprecule The and hearty
support which tho best men OF south Carolina and
Di the democratic party pledged IRON 1874
down the time of the nomination oil
Hampton In the foil OF 1876. II generous, be.
cause they recognized that my policy meant tho vel
lare OF tic state, and that tar this con
eefued political considerations had M
weight doubt " any public mnn was
ever more heartily unsclnshy supported
5y political opponents than was by The
democrats Of South Carolina during the period e
which | refer oar subaCunpuL differences occurred
hon other the want OF sympathy between
Their views and upon questions VI PRACTICAL ad
mlnistralion within the state.
NEGROES As LAwGfiERS.
REpoRrER- Now Governor, let mo psk you what i
the result OF your experience after these several year.
Official lio to the abiity OF the coored people q
take possession OF government and egslac In thei
wayY
Governor CnANBrHLAfS-I think the coered people
IRE just competent to egislatc and conduct gov
eminent as any other people who have bad MS ltll
education and experience. Ihey only want brains