Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-19
How 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 differ
ent from what was promised by the
bulldozers. Instead of waiting for the
courts to decide upon The questions at is
sue in regard to the present incumbents,
Hampton peremptorly orders them to
give up their places, Notwithstanding his
pledge that they should not be disturbed.
The usurping Governor has no notion of
mincing matters. Cardoza's letter is as
follows:
OFFICE OF STATE TREASURER,
COLUMBIA, S. C., April l6. 1871
Hon. Wade Hampton, Columbia, s. g:
SIR: / received on Saturday evening" the l4th
inst, letter subscribed by Wade H. 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 indicated heretofore
your opinion of the futility OF my assertion Of my
official rights, and that 1t would disembarrass the
operation of the Executive Department confded
TO my care if were to retire at once. | am fur.
ther informed by the same communication that 10
the event of my refusing to take the course above
requested, you see nothing in my present position
emitting me to the OF my office that you can
not consent to my remaining in my office, and,
finally that your responsibility will require you
ito prevent such obstruction to the conduct Of
the Government" | received the foregoing com
munication Immediately after an interview held by
me with you in the Executive Chamber 10 which
you voluntarily stated to me that you should
leave the question OF official rights entire
ly to the courts, and that could either occupy
my Office seal it up, to remain undisturbed until
a decision of the court should be reached. You
can, therefore, judge of the surprise not TO speak
OF other feelings, produced by the letter of your
private secretary. This feeling is increased when
| call to mind the language used by you on so
many occasions, and notably in a communication
addressed to the President of the United States,
as follows; 81 repeat therefore, that if the FEEDER
al troops are withdrawn from the Statehouse,
there shall be, on my part or that of my friends
no resort TO violence TO assert our claims but we
shall look for their maintenance solely to such
peaceful remedies as the Constitution and State
provide. 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 maoner that the peace shall
be preserved"
Ia the tce of these pledges you now call
upon me TO fenquish my office, and you inform
me OF your purpose TO prevent me from continu-
ing to hold it. 1t is my duty to REM ind YOU that
was declared elected to my present Office by the
Board Of State Canvassers, as the result OF the
canvass of the face of all the returns Of the recent
election, returns being rejected or disallowed
in whole or in part. | was, therefore, commss-
Toned by Gov. Chamberlain at time when his au
thority rs governor was undisputed | inmedi-
atey qualified by taking the oath of off :e and u
ing my Official bond, and have since been and
am now in the discharge of the duties of my Of
flee. 1t is my duty further to remind you that
under proceedings IN quo pqrranto instituted by
those wno were Candidates upon the ticket with
you and nov pending IN the Supreme Court. the
exact question which you now declare your purpose
to decide adversely to me is put in issue and is
awaiting the decision Of that court Under these
circumstances, TO prevent me fom continuing 70
hold my Office until decision OF the Supreme
Court is pronounced, is not only, in my jud gment
not "to look TO such peaceful remedies as the Con
stitu,ion and laws Of the State provide" but Is
rather ..the use and exhibition Of force in the set
tIement Of disputed question:
II 10 almost needless for ne to add tbat do no,
recognize your right, ss Governor, in any manner
10 pass upon or decide my right to my present Of