The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-17
sC0T.r's aELIsH.

AundrcGn, OF Thousands yVrung from, an
Oppressed aud Helpless PSople.
In the final report Of the Fraud Inves.
tigating Committee, an exposure il given
OF the cost of maintenance and the uses
made of the notorious militia organized
under the administration of Governor
Scott, mainly during the campaign of
1871. The evidence and accompanying
papers are too extensive for our columns,
but we will summarize the chief points
contained in the report. The committee
says:
! Having heretofore shown tba. the lead.
ems of the administration party in this
State had been furnished at the expense
of the State with supplies-that "gratifi-
cation" pay certificates were issued in
unlimited numbers, covering immense
sums OF money-the printing fund di-
vided--innumerabie bribes paid, each
| and all for the purpose of "harmonizing
the frlends"-it would seem that no other
contrivance was necessary Tor preserving
the unity and solidity of the party in
power. Nevertheless, in the course of
our. investigation, the testimony taken
and vouchers from the State Treasury of
fice conclusively prove that the enroll
ment, organization, inspection and main
tenance of the militia was but another
excuse and pretext intended and used TO
enrich and secure in power the great
wire-pullers Of the Republican party by
taxes wruDg from an oppressed and help
less people.
Local agents and politicians were ap-
pointed in almost every county in the
State for the ostensible purpose of mo-
bilizing the militia, but really coyertly
TO solidify the Republican party. Just
previous to the general election in 1870
more than 100000 was expended, and
indeed the simple enrolment absorbed
over 5000 900 of the public funds, thus
furnishing favorites with an individual
campaign fund TO be used in securing
their election to the General Assembly
or county Offices, and those favored per-
sons, in their turn, were expected to and
did operate as auxiliaries to perpetuate
the power of the party and the ring. AS,
for instance, the Rev. VIM. M. Thomas,
! who was a supporter of the ring, end
elected to the Legislature, besides his
clerical duties, was also employed in q
military capacity, as the following vouch-
er will show.
The voucher shows that Rev. VIM. M.
Thomas received $125 for services rem
deTed i'll organizing company, of which
he was the captain. Under the head OF
Exhibit A the committee submit a few
other vouchers of similar import, out OF
large number, sufficient to demonstrate
Tor what rCFrcse the militia was mobil-
lied and this large sum of money distri-
buted where it could do the most good
politically.
Next the State Guards were organized
| and furnished with officers from the local
| politicians in large number of counties
Officers and privates drawing full pay
and ratious or subsistence funds. The
| principal and only service rendered, sc
far as can be seen, was in rallying and
| keeping in hands the party to answer the
beck and call of the ring. The follow.
ing voucher will illustrate. Captain E.
L. mann, OF the State Guards, was sta
toned at Abbeville Court House with his
officers and squad. He was q deputy
constable under John B. Hubbard, i'm.
ported by Governor r. X. Scott from
Ohio, and assigned to Abbeville. The
paper shows the remarkable facS that this
sGuad, with the exception of their cap
tain, was 80 ignorant and illiterate as not
to be able to write their names, yet they
must have been selected for their pecu-
liar usefulness as political whips, as they
were paiI from twenty-five dollars 70
twenty-nine dollars per month and sub
sisteucs, whilst the poor and honest la
borers were ground to dust TO pay taxes
TO support and maintain slch insolence
End fraud.
The voucher shows q 'otai of $273. "a
for, one months service of this squad,
and other vouchers OF similar character
are selected from great number in the
State Treasurer's Office. marked paid
The political managers were also al
lowed full pay, including expenses,
whilst travelling through che State under
the pretense of military duty, but in
truth and in fact canvassing the counties
for political purposes, all looking to the
maintenance of the supremacy of the
party, and, through this, their own indi-
vidnal, personal and pecuniary interests.
Out of large number of such accounts
we Gull only one as specimen, payable
to L. B. Elliott, one of the chief organ
izcrs:
COLUMBIA, 8. O., Sept. II, 1870.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS "a
DEPARTMENT,
To r. B. ELLIOTT, DIR.
For expenses incurred in travel
ing on inspecting tours to Barn
| well, Tut ena Wilson's Creek,
Aiken, Blackyille, etc., etc. :. ...Sle5 90
For money advance IN freights,
carriage, etc........ .................. 100 90
For incidental expenses of Office, 1900
$500 90
Tie above amounts haze not been in.
cluded in any previous account.
I certify that the above acco..nt is cor
rect and just.
(Sigued,) r. B. ELLIOTT.
Approved:
lSigned, r. K. ScoTr,
Governor.
The above account is seceipted in full
by John B. Dennis, who seems to have
| peen general factotum for the whole
! gang IF .h;e:es
From the evidence it appears that in
| the summer of 1869 the conclusion was
arrived at by the leaders of the party
that tne militia of the State should be
organized, armed and equipped for che
| political campaign of 1870; and to facil.
itate this purpose, Governor r. K. Scott
authorized and appointed F. J. Noses
Adjutant and Inspector General Of the
State, to proceed to Washington and pro.
cure from the general government 10000
| Springfield muskets and infantry accou
trements, of the quota of South Carolina
In the same manner, and without apJ
authority of law or appropriation having
II l. Il r.