The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-16
Cbrrespondence Me,n York Sun.

The legislative investigation committee
has been hard at work striving to probe
the depth of the mire which the Repub-
lican party left as an Inheritance to the
Hampton government. The task became
so sickening last week, however, that they
had to 20 home for a breathing spell.
This investigating committee has uncov-
cred secrets alongside of which the already
known criminality becomes comparative
ly trivial. Their sessions are secret, and,
perhaps, rightly so. There is no State to
reclaim now, as there was when the Sun
exposed Chamberlain. And if were to
write all I know, l might blast reputa-
tions which are now unsullied, and which
1 sincerely hope may remain so until the
end.
The revelations show that the State
Treasurers have received the bulk OF the
stolen income of the State since recon
struction. There was nothing which
passed the treasury mill which did not
pay from 10 to 25 per cent. toll. The
more rascally the job, the more to pay.
AS specimen of these disclosures, one
man declared that he had a claim of
$125, 900, out of which, after paying all
his tolls, he netted only $4,000, and
then was we'll paid. The scope of this
investigation has now taken in all the
| Governors, Lieutenant Governors, State
officers, the old Supreme Court Judges,
several members of the Circuit bench, the
officers of the Legislature, and many
bankers, wealthy merchants, brokers,
editors and lawyers.
Most of these revelations have been
obtained through the testimony of e1-
Gov. Moses, who has opened his astound-
| ing budget without sparing friend or foe.
Already the cry has gone up from the
stricken game, "Who would believe
Moses upon oathY" But this has been
tried once too often. A distinguished
Judge, hearing that he had been impli-
Gated demanded an immediate hearing
before the committee, in order to clear
his skirts. He denied emphatically the
statements made by the Ex-Governor.
The committee sent for Moses and con-
fronted him with the Judge. Governor,
did we under stand you to say so-and. so 2"
''That is what said" ri deny it," said
the Judge, with great emphasis. The
Ex-Governor put his hand in his side
pocket and drew forth o document.
aJudge, is that your handwriting? The
Judge wilted.
Moses is prepared with the documents
at every step to substantiate his assertions
under oath, and woe to those who rely
upon the plan of discrediting them.
These documents of Moses were depos-
tied by him in secret drawer of his pri-
vate secretary, which, during his absence
from Columbia, was sold at auction along
with the rest of his furniture for debt.
Upon his arrest he determined to make
a Clean breast of all he knew, and in
formed the committee of the existence OF
these documents. Search was made for
the secretary, and was found. Its owner
did not dream of the bonanza which was
hidden in his purchase. Moses and one
of the committee, assisted by locksmith,
after very long struggle with the secre-
tary, succeeded in restoring the docu-
ments to light. The committee have
charge of them. They regard the find as
of so much Importance that the docu-.
ments are held as collateral security for
the appearance of the Ex-Governor to an
swer any bills of indictment which the
Court of Sessions may prefer against him.
His individual bond in the sum of IS 900,
without additional security, was also
taken for the same purpose. 1t is calcu-
lated by Republicans, who ought to
know, that during Moses Speakership
and Governorship not less than $500, 900
fraudulently passed into his possession
from the State Treasury. For this sum
Moses has nothing to show except these
papers. He has been living in this city
for the last six months, and has been bor-
rowing 500, IS, and even 50 from his
former friends, besides doing something
in the black mailing line.
The first effect of their discoveries on
the committee has been to make them
favor a reputation of most of the hoat-
ing indebtedness of the State, as honey
combed with fraud. They have come to
the same conclusion as to a great number
of the consolidated bonds which were
funded under such circumstances as to
place them upon the same footing with
the floating debt, and entitle them to the
same fate. This branch of the report
will meet with strong opposition in the
Legislature. 1t is understood that Gov.
Hampton and some of the State officers
favor the adoption of the consolidated
debts as it stands, as bene6cent policy
for the credit of the State. Some OF the
leading members of the Legislature Will
take the same ground; some will DC per-
sonally or professionally interested in do
ing so. The bondholders will find the
Republican members open to conviction