The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-27
EX-G0V. FRANKLIN J. MOSES.
REBEL, RADICAL. ROBBER, GOVERN0R,
MILLIONIIRE, AND BRGGAR.
A. Speaker OF the Assembly, Helping Himself
to the Public Funds OF south CnroIina-As
Governor OF the state, Living In Great
Mngntncence-Now "a n onicIess Wanderer.

Magnincence-Now "a Homeless Wanderer.
CONDENSED nam m, Ncc Fork Time.
twenty years ago, when he had arrived
at the age OF IL. Franklin ]. Moses. Jr.. had
exhausted about all the means OF pleasure or
excitement that present themselves to youth |
Of good health. agreeable address. quick wit. |
and an abundance OF money His father for |
whom he was named. was a planter lawyer. In !
Sumter. S. G. He held his head high among |
the planter aristocracy. He was very proud OF !
his boy Frank. About this time the youth |
married Every house in tho county was open
to him, and no had the good sense to choose for
wi'o one OF the fairest. and. as the event
proved. one Of the beet Of women.
Searching for some exciting novelty. the
young man became impressed with desire to
get into politics. and he found the way open be-
fore him. His father was ono OF tho leading
State Senators. and when Mr.. Pickens was
electod Governor. after n spirited contest, in
which Moses had greatly aided him. the Gov
brnor begged him to name n candidate for any
place within his gift Senator Moses suggest
ed his son as the Governors Private Secretary.
At first Mr.. pickens demurrcd. but eventually
he consented. and the young man was duly in
stalled In his now position. Easy to adapt him
self to any and all circumstances. he speedily
became all powerful in the executive chamber
He held this position when Fort Sumter fell
and was among those who reJoced the loud
est II is said that ho asked the Gov
ernor as personal favor that no might
lower tho American Nag that had boon left
dying over the fort; but this is pronounced
fabrication. 1t is true. however. that Moses
boosted OF some such exploit and that no be-
came known throughout the South rs ono OF
the young heroes 10 be praised and pcttcd. His
name and fame were also intensified by the sue
ross that attended his father. who had been ap-
pointed rs Commissioner 10 tho North Carolina
Legislature. TO persuade that State to pass an
ordinance Of secession.
But young Moses did not GO IN the front. lie
might have found hundreds Of men ready to
follow his banner into the field; but he made no
Effort TO get n commission. When the draft was
ordered. he became conscript officer. hunting
down those who refused to serve. and forcing
them into the rebel ranks. He lost his popu-
larty entirely among tho fiery South Caro-
linians This was made abundantly manifest
when, the war being ended. he like very many
others. found himself beggqr. His former
distress Of his situation. His creditors harass-
ed him. and the public had no longer a mantle
Of charity for his follics
But Frank Moses VIA not tho man to give way
20 din rultlrs. lie began TO ingraiatc himself
with the Union officers stationed in Sumter
family were living more than comfortably on
Government raii9ns. There rs story. 100. II
pocket money by drawing more than his family
needed from the Federal commlssary, and sold
SO thoroughly did Moses win the good will Of
the Union officers that when the Provost Courts
were established he WIS appointed the Asso-
ciate Judge Of tho Sumter district. He made
good use OF this opportunity, His father was
influence in deciding civil cases of considera-
bic magnitude. and between them they built Ut
Moses was the first man to declare that tn,
negroes OF the State were destined TO influence
its politics, II not 70 control ths Government
Although he was laughed at by hs old Rsso
ciates and called Eighty. he made up his mind
TO base his fortune ON The idea. His position as
Associate Judge gave him an opportunity &c
befriend and hatter the freedmen. and 1t wai
G uesnce ' among them Early 10 1867 the blqel
men were enfranchised. and in June OF TIM
was formed 6y convention held in Columbia
The former slave-owners could have controlled
M home sIlking over their defeat Ex-Asso-
ciate Judge Moses. having been elected dele
gate, did much T., control tue action OF the Con,
also chosen doegRtc to the State Constitutional
Convention, and in this body by his adroitness
fiaitery. and appeals 20 tho cupidity u the ne
groes he became an acknowledged leader o.
the new party He was elected AdIutant ,anC
Inspector General. and also member OF the Leg
islature, a provision IN the new Constitution
suggested BY himself permitting him TO hol'
From this time tho advance Of ex-Associat
Judge Moses was very rapid. As Speaker Q
called in question but at the end ot the two year
for which he was elected. he gave pp all claim
voted his attention to the SpcRkershp, to whicl
he had been reelected Then he begun II
bribery and robbery. which. Tor extent and an
dacty. is without parallel in the history OF an
secure he Yecame holder. lie had absolutely n
shame. He was rerklcss. hareiaccd TO degrc
which almost excited the admiration OF the peG
pie no robbed. And. in spite OF his terri9
record. he was every day making new friends
An incident will Illustrate the holdness, wit
which he operated. A bill was introduced INT
the Legislature for the relief of ono Of the stat
banks. but II did not progress; IL grew dus
Interested grew desperate Ihen s9men nn,
who knew the ways Of The Capitol asked WI
don't you see Frank Moses p They took IN
hint gentleman supposed to have some In
fiu nee waited on the Speaker and laid the ma
Object Of his Visit Moses eHclSimcd. Oh. what
the use Of SO much talk; do you want your bi
passed or not p go
~ o. course we want 1 passed, =, was the reI
Very well. then" Moses eqntnued cool
I'VE will come 10 business. / am dreadful
short to-day: one fellow or another has DO
Towed all my money, lett me hlsh ana CRY;
fact and must have few hundrcd. ny IN
evening. Give me- $1,000 to-day and III pa
The money was paid. and the bill was at on
jumped TO a third reading. But here 1t stoppe
The gentleman most Interested in It's pnssaI
waited from day to day but waited in vain.
last he went once more 10 Moses. and ash,
him what had occasioned the delay; ~
answer he got was; Just agree no to RRiie ! !
comes law and will put II through at once
The bill went through. ,-,,-- ..
tions. Mr.. Speaker Moses. before his first ter
had closed threw IN all reserve, and i BEGAN
notorious that the machine had 10 be ollie,
every time an important bill was passed. II
theory. openly expressed, WAS that II Il bil q
served TO become a law II WAS worth paying u
and that II it was not worth paying Tor II W
As time went hy. however. the wants Of N
Speaker Moses increased and he deteTmin
10 find some new sources 81 revenue. 10 u
end he secured the passage Of a law that ga
him power 10 issue what were called pny Ger
Il 'ates or Speakers warrants drafts upon
Treasury which were made by him nj Will,
most thOut question or supervision, g
which the Treasurer Of the State was obliged
pay even to the exclusion OF other claims. ;
at last. Mr.. Moses was the diroet9r OF
money mill and could spend at his pleasu
Ana as long as there was money M Tue tre'
ury 10 meet the demands SO made the pay c'
iincates were as good ms United States not
There was now no limit 10 his generosity ~ !
warrants could be had for the asking. IN
were iss ued 10 buy horses and mules Tor color
men wno had served the Speaker, 10 htock
hrms 81 men living in remote parts 81
State who not only had no connection. WIN !
Legislature, Tut who had never seen the su