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

EXsTREASURER PARKER, OF SOUTE
CAROLINA, MAKES A CLEAN
BREAST OF 1T.
Chamberlain, Patterson, Kimpton anc
Others Charged with the Gross
est Frauds.
Bribery Of tho Legislature---Collision of tn,
OF Unparalleled Corruption
The confession made by Niles G.. Parker
,ex-Treasarer Of South Carolina, in an in
terviewiwith q reporter of the New York
- WotldwA made ut his house in Jsrss,
Gig, and was taken down Photographed
ly. The statement was made without pre-
vious preparation, which will account in
great measure for the loosencss of arrange.
ment, and also for any slight inaccuracies
of dates or figures. The confession is as
follows:
PARKER'S RECORD AND ELECTION.
/ settled in Charleston in February,
1866, engaging in planting and the mercan-
tile supply business. In 1867 General
Candy appointed me an Alderman in the
CITY of Charleston. Gailard was Mayor
at the time, and there was place in the
council made vacant by death. A few
months later I was appointed chairman of
the Committee on Legislation under the re-
construction acts. Aftsr the discharge of
that duty devoted myself again toprivato
business. was soon, however, elected a
member of the constitutional convention
from Barnwell County, though made no
effort to secure my nomination or election.
In that convention / was the chairman of
the Committee on Finance and succeeded
in raising the amount necessary for the cx-
penses of the convention. In the discharge
of my duties had the cooperation and
goood will of Governor Orr. AS men,
Der of the convention l opposed the pas
sage of the law authorizing the State to is
sue bonds 1 took the ground that the
State Indebtedness and the current expen-
ses could be provided for by taxation and
that any further issue of bonds was unnec-
cssary. AS in previous years the State ex-
penses had not exceeded 100000, | did
not believe that more than 100000 would
be needed to cover them The surplus
amount paid into the treasury rs collected
taxes would be enough to moet the pay
ment of interest on the State debt, consoli-
dated and floating, and settle, il the course
of few years, all outstanding claims not
represented already by State bonds. The
act was incorporated in the constitution,
however, in spite of my opposition.
At the first election under the new con-
stitution l was put in nomination for State
Treasurer and elected. This nomination
grew wholly out Of the success which had
achieved in raising the expenses of the con
vention. [ went into Office in July, 1868.
Scott was Governor, Chamberlain was At
torney General, Cardozo was Secretary of
State, Frank Moses was Adjutant General
and Neagle was Comptroller General. The
constitution Of the Legislature was entire
ly Republican, 1 think, without an excep-
tion. The Democrats refused to take part
in the election. Naturally both Senate and
House were composed very largely of col
ored members. Frank Moses was the
Speaker of the House-undoubtedly the
most influential member of it during his
four years term Of office.
When l took charge Of the State Treas
ury there was only S42 in it. BY the
Comptroller Generals report for 1867 the
bonded and stock debt was nearly $6,O0O,-
600, and there was considerable interest
outstanding, as well as other unadjusted
debts amounting approximately to $4,000.
OOO The tax of the first year was 81 mills
upon the assessed valuation of the property
of the State. This tax was expected to
yield 81 100000 or 81 100000 The fis
cal year of the State closed on October 81
1868. We went into Office in July, and a
special session of the Legislature was called
immediately. Instead of imposing tax tc
cover the expenses of the current year as
well as the year ending October 81, 1869
we only imposed one tax, as we had then
an honest intention to relieve the people ol
the State of all but necessary burdens Sc
we made tax for one year only, intending
to provide for outstanding claims by the is
sue of BONDS. OF this tax imposed we col
iected about three -fourths, and the balance
was left outstanding No extraordinary
measures were rcsorted to in order to en-
force its collection, and think that judg'
ment was never obtained against the delin
qucnts in the courts.
CHAMBERLAIN PECULIAR BILLS.
Under the provisional government a law
had been passed authorizing the funding o
all outstanding debts, interest and principal