The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-17
SCOTT,S iMELISH.
Hundreds OF Thousands Wrung from an
Oppressed and Helpless People.

Hundreds of Thousands wrung from an
Oppressed and Helpless People.
In the final report of the Fraud Inves-
tigatiug Committee, an exposure is given
of the cost of maintenance and the uses
made of the notorious militia organized
under the administration of Governor
Scott, mainly during the campaign of
1870. The evidence and accompanying
papers are too extensive for our columns,
but we will summarize the chief points
contained in the report. The committee
says:
Having heretofore shown that the lead
ers of the administration party in this
State had been furnished at the expense
Of the State with supplies-that "gratifi-
cation" pay certificates were issued in
unlimited numbers, covering immense
sums of money-the printing fund di-
vided-innumerable bribes paid, each
and all for the purpose of "harmonizing
the friends"-it would seem that no other
contrivance was necessary for preserving
the unity and solidity of the party in
power. Nevertheless, in the course of
our investigation, the testimony taken
and vouchers from the State Treasury of
fee conclusively prove that the enroll
ment, organization, inspection and main
tenance of the militia was but another
excuse and pretext intended and used to
enrich and secure in power the great
wire-pullers of the Republican party by
taxes wrung from an oppressed and help
less people.
Local agents and politicians were ap-
pointed in almost every county in the
State for the ostensib,e purpose Of mo-
bilizing the militia, but really covertly
to solidify the Republican party. Just
previous to the general election in 1870
more than 100000 was expended, and
indeed the simple enrolment absorbed
over 100000 of the public funds, thus
furnishing favorites with an individual
campaign fund to be used in securing
their election to the General Assembly
or county offices, and those favored per-
sons, in their turn, were expected to and
did operate as auxiliaries to perpetuate
the power of the party and the ring. AS,
for instance, the Rev. VIM. NJ. Thomas,
who wss supporter of the ring, and
elected to the Legislature, besides his
clerical duties, was also employed In a
military capacity. as the following vouch-
er will show.
The voucher shows that Rev. VIM. NJ.
Thomas received $125 for services rem
dered in organizing company, of which
he was the captain. Under the head of
Exhibit A the committee submit few
other voucbSfs of similar import, out of
large number, sufficient to demonstrate
for what purpose the militia was mobil-
lied and this large sum of money distri.
buted where it could do the most good
politically.
Nextthe State Guards were organized
and furnished with officers from the local
politicians in large number Of counties
officers and privates drawing full pay
and rations or subsistence funds. The
principal and only service rendered, so
far as can be seen, was in rallying and
keeping in hands the party to answer the
beck and call of the ring. The follow
| ing voucher will illustrate. Captain E.
l.. Mann, of the State Guards, was sta
toned at Abbeville Court House with his
officers and squad. He was deputy
constable under John B. Hubbard, i'm
ported by Governor r. K. Scott from
Ohio, and assigned to Abbeville. The
paper shows the remarkable fact that this
squad, with the exception of their cap
tain, was so ignorant and illiterate as not
to be able to write their names, yet they
must have been selected for their pecu-
liar usefulness as political whips, as they
were paid from twenty-five dollars 70
twenty-nine dollars per month and sub
sisteuce, whilst the poor and honest la
borers were ground to dust to pay taxes
to support and maintain such insolence
and fraud.
The voucher shows total of S273.34
for one months service of this squad,
and other vouchers of similar character
are selected from great number i'll the
State Treasurer's Office, marked paid.
The political managers were also al
lowed full pay, including expenses,
whilst travelling through the State under
the pretense of military duty, but in
truth and in fact csnvassing the counties
for political purposes, all looking to the
maintenance of the supremacy of the
party, and, through this, their own indi-
vidual, personal and pecuniary Interests.
Out of q large number of such accounts
we Gull only one as a specimen, payable
to R. B. Elliott, one of the chief organ
izers:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. II, 1870.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERALS
DEPARTMENT,
To r. B. ELLIOTT, DIR.
For expenses incurred in travel
ing on inspecting tours to Barn
we'll, Tutt and Wilson's Creek,
Aiken, Blackville, etc., ETC., ,....S125 90
For money advanced on freights,
carriage, ETC.. tc.......-................. lOO O0
For incidental expenses of Office, rs 90
$500 90
The above amounts have not been in
cluded in any previous account.
/ certify that the above account is cor
rect and just.
(sigued,) R. B. ELLIOTT.
Approved:
(Signed,) R. K. ScoTr,
Governor.
The above account is receipted in full
by John B. Dennis, who seems to have
been general factotum for the whole
gang of thieves.
From the evidence it appears that in
the summer of 1869 the conclusion was
arrived at by the leaders of the party
that the militia OF the State should be
organized, armed and equipped. for the
political campaign $50; and to facil-
itate this purpose, ernor R. K. Scott
authorized and appointed F. J. Moses.
l Adjutant and Inspector General of the
State, to proceed to Washington and pro.
cure from the general government 10000
Springfield nuskets and infantry accou,
trements, of the quota of South Carolina
In the same manner, and without any
authority Of law or appropriation having
been made for such purpose, contracts