The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-02-14
EX-GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
The Evidence Against Him Taken In Secret
ut Columbia.
From the Ncp York Sun.
Co1uMR1A. 6. c. ian.

COLUMBIA, S. 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
c;arpet-bag rule. With all that has been
written and published on this subject,
half the story still remains untold
When the inside history of the Scott,
Moses and Chamberlain administrations
in given to the world, the wonder will be
that the Democrats of the State, consti-
tlting the entire taI-paying element, did
not rise years ago and put a sudden and
violent end to such rapacious system Of
nlisgovernment.
The joint special investigating commit
tee have been at work for many months
gathering and arranging testimony against
the plunderers. The result of their la
bora, so far, has been the 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
for surprise is found in the fact that no
requisition has been issued for either
Chamberlain or Kirnpton. 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-
tectsd by Democrats high in power. The
story has been industriously circulated
that the committee has not succeeded in
c,btaining sufficient evidence to convict
Chamberlain. AS the testimony taken
during the investigation has been guarded
with jealous care, all reports of the char
scter of the evidence having been based,
ulp to this time, on untrustworthy rumors,
there have been no means of determining
whether this story 10 true or false. JUS
tice requires that the chief of the South
Carolina thieves shall not 60 unpunished.
What is the nature of the evidence
against him that the Democratic leaders
seem anxious to suppress? At last am
able to give you with certainty and accu-
racy the result of: the committees work,
and the people of South Carolina and of
the North can judge for themselves why
Chamberlain has been allowed to escape.
For sleek and polished yillany, this
Massachusetts, lawyer was easily first
among his fellows. Handsome in his
person, easy and prepossessing in his
manners, shrewd and bold in his acts, he
pushed his way to the front very soon
after his arrival in South Carolina, and
managed to figure for q long time as the
friend of reform and the honest carpet
bagper pnr crcelkeace. For four wears be-
fore he became Governor, by the aid of
Democratic votes, he had filled the posi-
ton of Attorney General. While regar-
ded with suspicion by few, and posi-
lively denounced as rascal by the Sun,
taou yh supported and praised by other
newspapers, his skill kept his record clear
of positive evidence Of guilt, and he
PASSED for IN honest man in the estima-
tion Of many who had no doubt of the
criminal character of his associates. At
this late hour, when the veil is lifted from
the proceedings of the investigating COM
raittee, Chamberlain stands revealed as
the central figure in the robber group.
] propose to give you resume of the
testimony actually taken by the investi-
eating committee. I shall begin with
one Of the many cases made up against
Chamberlain by the committees patient
investigations. In this instance Cham
berlain bribed State officer to resign
his Office, and paid the bribe out of the
peoples money. The story has never
before been told.
The oral evidence on which this case is
based consist of the testimony of G. @.
Bowen, Sheriff of Charleston, e1-Goy.
Moses, John B. Dennis, Miles G. Parker,
J. L. Neasle and Others. Documentary
proof fully sustaining the charge was
found in certain drafts or acceptances
negotiated through the Carolina National
Bank of this city. These drafts are now
in tho hands of the committee.
The famous Land Commission of this
State, under which so many frauds and
robberies took place, was established by
enactment of the Republican General
Assembly. The act was drawn by the
skilful hand of D. a.. Chamberlain him.
self. This commission, under the terms
Of the act creating it, consisted of an
Advisory Board comprising the Governor,
R. K. Scott; the Attorney General, D. Fl.
Chamberlain; the Treasurer, Miles G.
Parker; the Comptroller General, John
L. Neagle; and the Secretary of State,
F. L. Cardozo. Bear in mind that three
of these men thus composing the Advis-
ory Board constituted also the Financial
Board of the State--naniely. Scott,
Chamberlain and Parker.
This Advisory Board elected c. P.
Leslie Land Commissioner. Leslie was
a so a member of the State Senate, and
fl. counterpart of Chamberlain in audaci-
ty. The act creating the Land Commits
sion provided for the issue of $500, 900
worth of bonds bearing six per cent. in
terest, which should be sold at price
agreed on by the Financial Board, and
the proceeds of which should be invested
in lands for the homeless laborers and
poor men of the State, which should be
sold to them at low prices and on credit
of several years. But this purpose of
the Commission was shamelessly peryer-
ted and abused by the Advisory Board
and the Land Commissioner. They used
to buy for themselves, through other par
ties, Yaucless lands at low price, and
have then, presented to themselves (tbe
Board) for purchase by the
State at very high price-they (the
Advisory Board) approving and ordering
the purchase, and in that way dividing
among themselves and their friends the
difference in the prices.
There had been a spirit ofjealousy be.
tween the white and colored leadeD of
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