The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-02-14
EX-GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
Tho Evidence Against Him Iuacn In Secret
Mt Columbia.
Eom The Netg York Sun.
COLUMBIA. 8. @. ian.

=
F}on The Netr York Sun. az.
COLUMBIA, 8. c., Jan. 81.
The honest people of South Carolina
are indebted To the Sun more than TO any
other public journal for the fierce light
which for several years past has been
thrown on the villanies and corruption of
carpet-bag rule. With all that has been
written and published on this subject,
half the story still remains untold
When tho inside history Of the Scott.
Moses and Chamberlain administration
is given to the world, the wonder will be
that the Democrats OF the State, consti-
tuting the entire tax-paying element, did
not rise year ago and put sudden and
violent end to such rapacious system of
misgovernment.
The joint special investigating commit
tee have been ut work for many months
gathering and arranging testimony agaias.
the plundercFs. The result of their la-
bora, so far. has been the conviction of
one or two Of the lesstr thieves, and the
indictment of Patterson, who has not vet
been brought to trial. The greatest cause
for surprise is found In the fact that no
requisition has been issued for either
Chamberlain or Kimpton. The circum.
stances OF the bargain by which Hamp-
ton obtained recognition from the HAYES
administration leave little room for doubt
that Chamberlain and his friend are pro-
tected by Democrats high in power. The
story has been iiidustriousiy circulated
that the committee has .ot succeeded in
obtaining sufficient evidence to convict
Chamberlain. As the testimony taken
during the investigation has been guarded
with jealous care, all reports Of the char
acter of the evidence having been based.
up to this time, on untrustworthy rumor5.
there have been no meana of determining
whether this story is true or false. Jus.
tice requires that the chief of the South
Carolina thieves shall not 60 unpuniahed.
What Is the nnture of the evidence
against him that the Democratic leaderp
seem anxious to suppress7 at last am
ab!s 20 give you win certainty and accu-
racy the result Of the committee's work.
and the people of South Carolina and OF
the North can judge for themselves why
Chamberlain has been allowed TO escape
For seek and polished villany, this
Massachusetts lawyer was easily frat
among his fsllowa. Handsome IN his
i5eE3on, easy and ptepossessing in mis-
manners, shrewd and bold in his acts, he
pushed his way to the front very soon
after his arrival in South Carolina, and
managed &c figure for long time 80 the
friend of reform and tho honest carpet.
bagger par erce!leyce. For four years be-
fore 55 became Governor, by the aid of
Democratic vetes, be had a.;!!iisaa a.;!!iisaa The po5i-
Jon of Attorney General. While rezer-
ded with suspicion by few, and posi-
lively denounced as rascal by the Sun,
though supported and praised by other
newspapers, his skill skill Kept his record clear
OF positive evidence Of guilt, and he
passed for an honest man in the estipla-
ton OF many who had no doubt OF the
criminal character Of his associates. AZ
tais late hour, when the veil is lifted from
the proceedings of the inve 'igating COM
mittee, Chamberlain STAN (, revealed as
the central figure In the rovber group.
] propose to give you resume Of the
testimony actually taken by the iuvesti.
eating committee. ] shall begin with
one of the many cases made up against
Chamberlain by the committees patient
Investigations. lii this inatnn6u Cham.
berlain bribed State officer to resign
his Office, and paid the bribe ant OF the
peoples money. The story mas never
before been told. l..,nI
:. The oral evidence on which this case Is
based consist of the testimony of G. G.
Bowen, Sheriff of Chaflest,.a, ex.Goy,
Moses, JOHN e. Dennis, Miles g. Parker,
j. u: Neagie and Others. Documentary
proof as.!!yy sustaining the charge was
fouad In certain drafts or acceptances
negeha.ed through the Carolina National
Bang OF this city. Thesa draf.t are aaw
In the naiids OF the committee.
The famous Land Commission of tsss,
state, under which so mapw frauds and
robberies took place, was established by
enactment OF the Republican General
Assembly. Tho oct was drawn by the
skilful hand'or .. II. Chamberlain him.
eelt Thta e,::. :s;i tlsieF tho terms
OF the net creating IL, consisted of an
A7dylsofy Eoard comprising the Governor,
~ X. Scost the Attorney General, d. 81.
the Treasurer, Niles G.
ParEer; the, Comptroller General, John
L. Neagie; and the Secretary of State,
:; -'-S= m q. mind tasi.s u shruu s
OF these men thys composing the Advisl
Board Of the State-nanisiy. Scnst
Chamberlain and Poker. 80
This Advisory board elected n p
Leslie Land Commissioner. Leslie was
also q member of the State Senate. and 4 |
fit counterpart of Chamberlain in andsci- |
y. The act creating Che Land Commis.
eion provided for the issne Of $500, 900 |
worth of bonds bearing six per cent. Ia. |
terest, which should ba .s:,ld at a price |
agreed on by tho Financial Board anfi |
The proceeds Of which should be inveated I
in lands for tho homeless Iaborers and |
poor met Of the State, which eholld be |
sold 70 them at low prices end on a credit |
OF several yeaga. But this purpose Of |
Tho Commission was ehamelesslY. iDerper. |
led ana abused by SHS ACStenfg board |
and the tland CssSSsallissioner. They used |
. buy for thenlselye5, through other. par
tiPs, ,yalueless lands &C q low price, and |
have tlem presented 20 therlselses itho |
AdyisoFy Boardl for purchase BY tho |
State at a yefy high price they {the |
Advisory Board approving and ordering I
lIaang themselves! and their friends tho |
in the prices.
There hna b;en q spirit Of JEALOUSY he-