The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-02
ry-GOV. D. II. CHAMBERLAIN.
rur rTfDENCE AGAINST INN TAKEN
r., SECRET At COLUMBIA.
MAD. the Reform Governor cf south Carolina
I,,ibcd the Land Commissioner to Resign.
paving the Bribe Out OF the states Funds
,,r. st,ry of the He'll n ole swamp Fraud.

49,, ,he Reform, Governor of south Carolina
I,,ibcd the Land Commissioner to Resign,
PAYING the Bribc Out OF the states Funds
m. story Of the ueii-Hoic swamp Fraud.
COLUMBIA. s. c., Jan. 3O.-Thc honest pco-
..,f south Carolina are indebted to THE SuN
,,r, than to any other public journal for the
s.r,c light which for several years past has
Ken thrown on the vianics and corruption
n rpct-bag rule. With all that has been
c,rit,en and published on the subject. half the
rary still remains untold. When the inside
history If the Scott Moses. and Chamberlain
admin STATIONS is given to the world. the won
derw be that the Democrats of the State. con-
,ntuling the entire taxpayng element. did not
rise years ago and put sudden and violent
end to such rapacious system Of misgoyeIn-
mont
The Joint Special Investigating Committee
have been at work for many months gathering
and arranging testimony against the plumber
ers The result of their labors. 80 far has been
tho conviction Of one or two OF the lesser thieves
and the indictment OF Patterson. who has not
yet been brought to trial. The greatest cause
fr surprise IL found In the fact that no rcquisi-
tion has been issued for either Chamberlain or
kitnpton. The circumstances OF The bargain
hy which Hampton obtained recognition from
III. Hayes Administration leave little room for
doubt that Chamberlain and his friend are pro-
toctcd by Democrats high in power. The story
has been ndustriously circulated that the COM
nii,tcr has not succeeded in obtaining sufficient
evidence TO convict Chamberlain. As the testi
niony taken during the investigation has boon
guarded with jealous care. all reports OF the
character of the evidence having been based.
pto this time on ENTHUSIASTICALLY rumors. there
have been no means Of Determining whether
this story il true or false. Justice requires that
the chief of the South Carolina thieves shall not
gounrunished What Is the nature OF the evil
dence against him that the Democratic leaders
seem anxious to suppress
At last am able to give you with certainty and
accuracy the result Of the Committees work
and the people Of South Carolina and Of the
North can Judge for themselves why Chamber
lar has been allowed to escape.
For sleek and polished villainy this Massa-
ehusetts lawyer was easily first among his
fellows Handsome in his person. easy and
preposscssing in his manners. shrewd and bold
In his a.rs he pushed his way to the front very
soon after his arrival in South Carolina. and
managed TO figure for long time lis the friend
Of reform and the honest carpet baggcr par
excellence. For four years before he became
Governor by the aid OF Democratic votes he
had filed the position of Attorney General
While regarded with sus picion hy few and
positively denounced rs a rascal 10y THE sun
though supported and praised 10y other nowspa-
pers hi- skill kept his record clear Of positive
evidence Of guilt. and he passed for an honest
nan In the estimation OF many who had no
doubt ~ the criminal character Of his associ-
ai,s. At this late hour. when the veil is lifted
from the proceedings Of the Investigating
Committee. Chamberlain stands revealed as
the central figure in the robber group.
| propur' 10 give you II resume Of the tcsti-
mouy actually taken 10y the Investigating Com
mittoc shall hegin with one ont Of the many
cases made upagainst Chamberlain by the com
mittecs patient inv, s'a.otions. In this Instance
Chamberlain hribol % state ofil cr 20 resign his
Office. and paid the brib, out OF the peoples
money. The story has never before been told.
The oral evidence on which this case is based
consists Of the testimony Of {. c. Bowen. Sheriff
Of Charleston. ex-Gov. Moses John b. Dennis.
Niles G.. Parker. J. J.. Neagle. and others. Docu-
mentary proof fully sustaining the charge was
found IN certain drafts or acccptanc.s nego-
lat"d through the Carolina National Bank Of
ms lily. These drafts are now In the hands OF
he committee.
The famous Land Commission Of this State
under which so many frauds and robbie ries took
place, was established 10y ena tment Of the Re-
publican General Assembly. The act was drawn
hy the skilful hand Of ID. II. Chamberlain him
slL This Commission. under the terms Of the
at creating it. consisted Of an Advisory Board
comprising the Governor. Il. X. Scott the At
torney General d. ii. Chamberlain the Treas
ur-r. Niles G.. Parker; the Comptroller Gene
ra John L. Neaglc; and the Secretary Of state,
!. l. Cardoz. Bear ia mind that three Of these
men thus composing the Advisory Board con-
s'tuted also the Financial Board Of the State
namely. Scott Chamberla D. and Parker.
This Advisory Board elected c. T. Leslie Land
Commiss ioner. Leslie WAS also Il member Of
IL" State Senate. and a fiji counterpart OF Cham
h.iain in audacity. Tho act creating tho Land
Commission provided for the issue Of 5000 600
worth OF bonds bearing six per cent. interest
winch should be sold at a price agreed on 10y
the Financial Board, and the proceeds ~ which
Should be invested in lands for the homeless la
t.r'rS and poor men Of the state. which should
b. sold to them at low prices and On a credit Of
several years But this purpose ~ the Commits
sNn WAS shamelcssly perverted ana abused by
te Advisory Board and the Land Commss ion-
or They used TO buy for themselves, through
oaer parties. valueoss lands at a low price and
hFyrthcm presented to themselves ,thc Advisory
la.riI for purchase 10y The state at a very high
Woe-they Ohe Advisory Board approving and
orlerns the purchase. and in TINT way dividing
emong themselves and their friends the differ
el.'r Ia the prices.
There had long been n spirit Of jealousy
between ,he white and co'orrd leaders Of the Re-
l.'. tau party AZ Ia the manner in which the
f,- We're distributed. The coored men in
s-tei Nit th.y dil not get their proper share
Hna that iie white mon were gradually monop-
ol1lng aA ue POSITIONS Of profit. This
W. notably 'he ras'' IN the matter Of the Land
ClmWi-sl 1u. IL seemed h be a close corpora
ton into VIII l,- urni-.rs We're afraid to ad-
NIT Il V corners. The colorcd men under
the lna u Whppor, Elliott. and Delarge.
~ mat time 'he most prominent members Of tho
House OF keprrs natives, resolved to break
down this combination. and to take TO
themselves and men Of their own color the ad-
ninisirailon and the spois OF the Land Com
mission.
To effect their object. they chose a most favor
ape moment il was in the spring OF 1870
when one Of thosc periodical outbursts Of pub
I've Indignation over the fraudulent issue Of
hiaie bonds hy the Financial Board WAS at its
very height. ana the members OF the Financial
AprI Scot, Chamberlain. and Parker
VINO wer" also members Of the Advisory Board