Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-11-21
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WHAT Ex. GOV. CHAMBERLAIN SAYS.

WHAT EX.GOV. CHAMBERLAIN SAYS.
HIS PURPOSE TO COME TO SOUTH CAROLINA TO
ANSWER THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.
A reporter for the Tribune yesterday called
upon Ex-Governor Daniel a. Chamberlain to
speak with him relative to the indictment
said to have been found against him in Co..
lumbia, S. G. This indictment, it is stated,
charges MIR. Chamberlain, who was in 1870
attorney general of the State Of South Carroll
ma; Financial Agent H. H. Kimpton, ex-
Comptroller John L. Neagle and ex.Land
Commissioner c. P. Leslie, with having swim
died the State in their capacity as land COM
missioners.
"Mr Chamberlain" asked the reporter,
shave you received any official notification of
an indictment said to have been found against
yourself and others at Columbia on Wednes-
day last ?" .
II have no knowledge" the Ex-Governor
responded, respecting the fact of an indict-
ment having been found against me, except
ing what have seen in special dispatches to
Democratic newspapers. was in Washing
ton yesterday, on business in the Supreme
Court, and read the announcement in the
Post of that city. This was my first intina-
tion of any purpose to bring an indictment
against me at this particular time. But if it
is true-and have no reason to doubt it
that an Indictment has been found against
me for alleged frauds in connection with che
land commission in 1870, it is simply q re-
vival of one of the most threadbare Of the
charges which have been repeated against me
for eight years. There are no facts-there
can be no facts-which support any charge
of fraud against me, either in the land CON-
mission or any other matter in South Carroll
ma. What some degraded villain, willing to
commit perjury to save himself from punish
ment, may have sworn to before the grand ju-
ry, do not know. Ifa small fraction of the
information which has reached me since left
South Carolina is true, their so. called investi.
cations there have been principally from the
start hunt for some ground for an indict-
ment against me. They have had full knowl-
edge of all matters connected with the land
commission since 1872 Why have they wal
ted until now to proceed against me2 1t will
be found that this indictment rest solely on
the word of men whom everybody knows to
be common perjurers, ready to swear to any
thing to save themselves The dispatches do
not make it clear what the precise charge
is in this indictment, but what have now said
applies to sny charge of fraud against me-
They are one and all false, and rest only on
the unsupported statement of the most shame
less liars, who have been manipulated for this
purpose. When know the exact facts which
are embodied in the indictment, can speak
more specifically regarding those facts. At
present, the most can say is that there are no
transactions of any kind in South Carolina
which can afford any possible ground for
criminal indictment against me-"
What is your opinion as to the motive
which prompted the finding of this indict
ment7"
"There has been, in the first place, at all
times a special vindictiveneess felt toward me
on account of my public political course in
the campaign of 1876, and the events which
followed pending the decision Of the Presi-
Dental election. The Democratic newspa-
pers, legislators and stump.speakers every
where in South Carolina, have been demand.
ing that Chamberlain should be punished.
In the next place, / have, suppose. recently
given them two causes of offense; the first
being the defence of Kimpton in Boston
against the requisition of Hampton, and the
second, my agency in securing the appoint
ment of receiver of the South Carolina
Railroad, and my connection with proceedings
now pending in the United States Circuit
Court for South Carolina for the appointment
of a receiver for the Greenvile and Columbia
Railroad. This last case is to be heard by
Judge Bond during the last week of the pres.
ent month at Columbia. I am under engage.
ment to be there to represent the Northern
bondholders, who are moving for a receiver.
These railroads have, of course, always been
in the hands of prominent citizens of South
Carolina They have been managed 80 rs to
be of no value to their creditors, who employ
ed me to SECURE what justice may be able to
secure for chem in the United States Courts.
The appointment of a receiver of the South
Carolina Railroad was heavy blow to many
men who are influential in the public affairs
in South Carolina l was obliged to critlcise
the management Of this company in the argu-
ment before Judge Bond at Baltimore in Sep.
tember, and have been repeatedly informed
that my professional efforts there had given
great offence to the people. l also know that
the newspapers of the State have recently been
calling for the indictment of the man who
was thus Insulting Governor Hampton in
Boston, and slandering our best people in
Baltimore.'
"How do you propose to meet this indict'
ment ?"
"As an honest man should, by going volun.
tarily to Columbia and standing my trial,
if they want trial. l have already this
morning sent the following dispatch to the
Attorney General of South Carolina:
NEW YORK, November 8, 1878.
The Hon. L. F. Youmans, Attorney General
Col,mJia, S. g.:
If it be true, as represented here, that an in
dctment has been found against me, shall
voluntarily appear to meet it. respectfully
ask to be informed when the State will be
ready for trial, and whether amy bond for my
appearance is desired
d. II. CHAMBERLAIN,
No. 346 Broadway.
"Can you rely upon fair trial ?" .
81 don't know. Those who seem to be best
informed about it, say cannot. However
that may he, it will make nc difference with
my action or my duty. If / do not have
fair trial, my friends and the country will see
and know it. l have always tried to do my
duty without Ainching, and while my ene'
mics now have it in their power to cause me
and my family and friends temporary wrong
and suffering, they cannot disgrace me or
cause me to regret the part have borne in
public affairs in South Carolina. ."-Ne,u York
Tribune, 9th instant.
The HUMAN RAoE.-A statistican in
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