New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-29
GIGANTIC FRAUDS EXPOSED.

DEMOCRATIC METHODS IN oRANGFBURG COUNTY,
s. CA REPUBLICAN MAJORITY or 1000 con-
vFRTED INTO A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY OF
1,500-THE TIssUE-PAPER TICKETS ALMOST
UNIVERSALLY UsED-LAw, ORDER AND DECENCY
VIOLATED.
IPRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
ORANGEBURG, S. c.. Nov. 23.-Tho political his
tory of this county and town for the past two
months can hardly be written IN single letter.
Beginning with a systematic intimidation of the
colored voters tine Democrats carried" the county
by the preparation of frauds of the most gigantic
proportions, and they are seeking TO escape
from the wholly inadequate punishment which the
United States is able to inict they have no fear
that loca! laws Will be invoked by using the
State Courts for the persecution Of those few men
who have courage and manlness enough to stand
up and denounce the South Carolina plan"
Orangeburg County has always given Republic
can majority of from 900 to LOO, even when
the party has been somewhat divided in sentiment.
and when, from various causes, part OF Its vote
has failed TO come out. This year with perfect
harmony in their ranks, and an interest and de-
termination to come out and vote such has rarely
been shown by the colored people. the Republican
leaders felt sure of carrying the county, on fair
vote by at least 1,S00 or 1000 majority. How
much this might be increased by Democratic dis
senson they could not tell. 1t not, therefore,
through any fear of being defeated that the Re-
publIcans agreed early in the campaign to offer
some of the most desirable places their ticket TO
the best conservative Democrats in the county who
could be induced 70 accept them. The object
tn make I'D ticket that would DO nom
partisan in its character fairly represent
all interests and command the respect of
all good citizens. Selecting four Of the best
white men in the county, gentlemen OF wealth.
character and social standing, the Republicans OBJ
tanned in advance of the County Convention their
promise to accept nominations. Three OF them were
nominated, and the fourth would have been but for
the fact that he backed out the last minute. But
it is dsgracefu in the eyes of the South Carolina
Democrats for a white man to accept Office at
the hands Of negroes it is far more
honorable TO be elected by fraud - and
all Of the Conservatives but one who
had agreed that their mi yht be placed on tho
Republican ticket were driven OF from it by the
Democratic leaders. The pressure brought TO bear
upon them was of a character that can hardly be
understood at the North. They were threatened
with loss of social standing injury TO their business
and almost every other misfortune that can be i'm
agned.
The state Senator from this county, Duncan, is a
Republican, elected in 1875, and has yet twoyears
to serve The Democrats cast envious eyes upon his
OostiOn and undertook to force Duncan TO resign.
And this is the method they adopted: 1t was well
understood among the Republicans OF the county,
prior TO the election of 1876. that if Governor
Chamberlain was elected, Mr.. H. A. Webster was to
be appointed Treasurer of this county. When Dun
can was nominated for the Senatorship, this matter
was talked over and he possibly assented to the
slate as made up. Now, on or about the LIST of
October of this year, almost two years after Dun
cans election warrants issued for his arrest and
that Of Mr. Webster the former being accused OF
bribery and the latter OF accepting brIbe. The
affidavit which the basis of these warrants
alleges in substance that Websters vote for Dun
can in 1875 was purchased by a promise made by
the latter to secure his appointment to the County
Treasurershp. In other words, the leader of the
Republican party in OraIgeburg was bribed to vote
for the regular nominee Of the Republican Conven-
toni The whole object of this prosecution
was apparent its face. The Democrats
desired to get Duncan out of the way in
order that they might elect one of their own
number IN his place, and they thought that they
could do il in this way When Duncan and Web
ster were arrested they taken before a trial
justice in the Office of the defeated Democratic cam
didate for the Senatorship, and when Webster Of
fered as his bondsmen for 800 two gentlemen
who were worth at least $4,000 the Justice re-
fused to look at the bond. but ordered him to be
taken TO jail Later in the afternoon he deposited