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

companies royalty of 81 for each mus
ket, or $4,000 for the whole, which,
Kimpton, being paymaster, discounted
and paid at $1,000. J. B. Dennis also
swears that he vas paid commission on
the Winchester parchase, which he di-
vided with L. j. Moses.
Although the contracts for the pur-
chase aud change or arms and ammuni-
tion amounted only to SlS0,750, yet the
records of the State Treasurer's Office
from September, 1870, % October, 1871,
shows payments for this purpose 70 tho
amount, within o fraction, Of $3.50, 900.
Where the difference went to can only
be conjectured.
Having thus expended more than
800, 600 in enrolment, $3.50, 900 in the
purchase Of arms and ammunition, the
distribution of such arms and ammuni-
tion commenced, preparatory to tho
memorable political campaign of 1870.
The militia thus organized presented an
army of near 100000 men-a large pro-
portion of them armed and equipped.
The very few white companies allowed
were disbanded and arms taken away,
because the colored militia expressed
strong dissatisfaction at any white COM
panies being enrolled and armed.
Numbers of persons, both male and
female, were on the militia roll, and paid
for supposed political influence; the Ad-
jutant and Inspector Generals Office per-
verted from its legitimate business to an
erctioneering and corrupting bureau;
arms, ammunition and accoutrements
issued, helter-skelter, to nominal officers
and men who could neither read or write
10000 cartridges actually being dis
tributed TO several counties at one time.
1t would seem that the ring selected
we'll the most ignorant and untutored to
do their nefarious bidding, as it could
hardly be imagined that persons of the
commonest understanding could be in
veigled into such monstrous frauds and
reckless waste of public money. And all
this occurred in time of the profoundest
peace. However much the wild waste of
money is to be deplored, denounced aud
punished, if practicable, yet the terrible
effect upon tho peace and harmony of
the people Of the State caunot be i'm
agined. much less portrayed in words.
What can the good people of the United
States or of the civilized world think of
the heartless wretches who placed arms
and ammunition into the hands of thous-
ands Of poor, iguorent, deluded and be-
trayed negroes as proper and necessary
instruments by which to carry on an cleo
ton? The lamentable result may long
remain in the distinct and seeming an
tagonism between the races in the State !;
and thet Il did not cuimiuate in general
b!oodshed and havoc is not to be credited
either to the humanity or good conduct
of the Republican organizers or leaders.
AS illustrative of the object for which
the militia was organized, the political
complexion given to it, and to show the
low espionage to which the white people
of all classes were subjected, your COM
mittee would refer to the letter Of B. G.
Yocum, a notorious carpet-bagger and
| colonel of negro regiment; also other
letters from deputy constablcs upon the
/ same subject, only few being selected
for publication from largo number il
the hands of your committee. One
| prominert fact stands out in bold relief
that whilst the white people were taxed
thus oppressively for arms and ammuni-
ton, there was a settled design and pur-
| pose that no white company should be
organized or armed, and even the few
| arms purchased by private means occa-
stoned pretended trcpidation and alarm,
and was made the special subject for ob-
servation and sensational reports. The
WQf6
mainly strangers imported by Governor
r. K. Scott and John J. Patterson. as
will appear from the evidence under the
head of "a rmed Force"
CHESTER, S. c., Sept. 2. 1870.
Capt. John 3. Hubbard, Chief Constable: !:
SIR: have written the Governor con-
corning a cavalry company that appears
to have been accepted by his Excellency
as u part OF the militia in this county.
Now will tell yen what such policy
ANTS to. The present companies that
have already been armed and equipped
are loyal, peaceable, orderly and efficient,
and can be controlled for the good Of the
country. They are insenced over the
prospect of having an armed and author
ICED enemy to contend against, and say if
the Governor is going to arm the white
K. KS to operate against them, he, the
Gov, can take back the guns and com
missions that has been already sent to
this county. 1t may be very fine for the
Gov. to make such experiments, but it
does not suite the loyal citizens of Chester.
1t might be satisfaction to come to
prove to the world that these men are vet
disioyal and will resort to b!codshed to
satisfy their depraved dispositions. But
if such should come. it will no. be so
funny if our best men get killed by those
viiiins. The Gov. says puniaii them for
their crimes, thero is no sense In such
talk. Does he think a lot of Ignorant
colored men with clumsy musken in
their hands can catch squad of exca.
rienced soldiers on blooded horses. IFS
my knowledge of military movements
eye insufficient, and shall respectfully
resign and give place to such competent
officer. cannot imagine what kind OF
poiicy it is TO arm the very men that
caused my being sent here. This is the
best will say with regard TO the case,
and when see their is no other way but
10 have fight, will gather what men
that wil stand by me and make Tho Tho best
fight can. The opposite party mako No
secret of their intention Of arming against
our militia. Very respectfully,
Col. 14th Regiment, N. G. sc.
YoRKvILLE, 8. c., June 25, 1870.
Captain John B. R;.:.J,,lr.,, Chief C0nsta.
6Lc, Columbia, s. e.:
DEAR CAPTAIN--I am visiting some
of the Leagues and intend to try and get
into the convention and be alected 20 the
Legislature The Democrats are quiet
now but playing poasum. Some of them
: say they intend TO organize all over the
State against Scott's militia. 1 have it
| from good authority that the whites are
| receiving GUNS through the merch anta