The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-15
A MARVELLOUS CAREER.
The Life of Frank ]. Moses, Of South
Carolina.


IN Lu0b paper . ecfSn-Cotuuln nistofy VI tiie
principal incidents in the life of the notori-
GUS Frank J. Moses, ex-governor of South
Carolina. 1t is we'll known that this mans
career has been one of the most remarkable
that this hayward republic has eyer devel-
oped; but Mr.. Csrrolrs story brings to light
numerous inside facts regarding him that
will be read with interest and establishment,
even by those most familiar with the life of
this, until recently, singularly lucky SOL
der of fortune. Born in Sumter, S. c., the
son of Jewish "planter-lawyer," he is, at
present, at the age of 3S years, accredited
wi til having been successfully rebel, Radi
cal, a robber, governor millionaire, and
a beggar. Through the influence of his
father, who was an ante-bellum-day power
full feature in South Carolina politics, be be-
came at % Governor Pickens' private secre-
tary. Slight and graceful in figure, with a
clean-cut face of great beauty, eyes at times
dark, soft, and mournful, at others quick,
flashing, and full of passion, accomplished
in little things. ready with his tongue, an
adept in the art of pleasing, he was the hero.
almost the idol, of the bellies in all the coun-
try surrounding Sumter A good shot, full
with his money, warm hearted and impul-
sive, he became the leader, the favorite also,
of all the young men. With the governor,
too, he readily grew in favor. and in time 1t
was known by those behind the scenes that
he
Der.
Then the war broke out, and gallant Major
Anderson departed from Fort Sumter, leav-
ing the stars and stripes floating from its
staff The story is that brilliant Frank
Moses, accompanied by number of choice
spirits, crossed from Charleston, and, by the
permission of the governor, the young gen.
tleman, who subsequently occupied his
patron'sshoes as peace and reconstruction"
governor, with his own hands helped to pull
down his country's flag and thus en-
act the first scene in the bloody war of the
rebellion. The article makes him out to
have been a rebel to the core, and in CONVEX
sation and claims very fiery one indeed.
He was intensely popular, and might have
commanded q brigade in the rebel army;
but Frank did not love the smell of powder
or the taste of bullets, and SO he lost caste
by accepting the comfortable position of
conscrlpt officer.
When the war closed, when the rebellion
had been crushed out, and the rebels, starv-
ing and in rags, returned to their desolate
homes, Frank Moses like the rest found
himself beggar and without sympathy or
friends. He at once set about making him.
self agreeable to the Union officers stationed
in and about Sumter. He succeeded so well
that the whole Moses family was soon living.
If not sumptuously, at least comfortably. on
government ratIons. Indeed, there is to
this day current in South Carolina a we'll
authenticated story to the effect that he not
only supplied his household with provisions
from the federal .commissary, but that he
drew much more than he wanted for his
and e0ld a a
ton to the families of rebels who were too
proud to draw them in the regular way.
Soon he obtained the position of assistant
provost judge, and employed his father in all
cases that came before him. He made up
his mind to base his fortune on the
votes of negroes, and, in his po-
sition assistant provost judge, he lost no
opportunity of fiattering and befriending
them. So he gained great popularity and
influence among the freedmen, and when
the time came they we're only too ready to
follow his leadership. He got the negroes to
elect him delegate to the constitutional con-
vention of 1867, the year of the enfrauchise-
ment of the blacks. and was elected on
Scotts ticket as adjutant and inspector gen.
eral. Not long after he secured his election
to the Legislature. From this point his adj
vance was so rapid that there is great diff
Guilty in keeping pace with it. He aspired
to be the presidiHg officer of the House, and
in spite of the bitter, though at first secret,
opposition on the part of rival leaders, who
had in the meantime appeared in the party,
he was elected. For the first term of two
years he continued to hold the double Office
of inspector general and speaker. During
this time he was
SPENDING FIVE TIMES HIS INCOME.
After his re election as speaker he began, in
earnest a career of corruption, fee taking"
bribery and robbery, which, for extent and
audacity. is without parallel in the history
of any English speaking people. As he be-
came more secure he became holder, until,
to borrow an expression of bob" Toombs a
recital of his crimes against taxpayers and
the State would fatigue the indignation
He had absolutely no shame; there seemed
to be no limit to his capacity for squander-
ing, throwing away money. He was reckless.
barefaced to q degree which almost excited
the admiration of the people he robbed.
And, in spite of his terrible record, he was
every day making new friends. Try as they
would. the leaders of his party could not
resist his many powers of fascination. He
poured out his money like water.
gave pocketfuls to all who asked, was
the life of every compay, and, though
be drank little or nothing. 1.-The jolliest dog
among Jolly dogs the leader in every de-
bauch. So, in spite of his immense income,
he was nearly always IN need of funds, but
| it was then the creed of his life that what he
wanted he would have. and to have he was
obliged to steal. If bill was to be passed,
Mr.. Speaker Moses boldly and unblushingly
asked for 81 900 to pass it. On one occasion
a deputation of citizens waited on him to get
bill regulating the public sale Of bonds
passed. 1t was a much needed measure, but
Moses asked for $40, 600 worth of the bonds
to compensate him for passing" it. In
spite of the oceans of indignation poured
upon him, he insisted on and
obtained the reward. His theory, openly
expressed, was that il bill de
serves to become law it was worth paying
| for, and that il it was not worth paying FOL
! it was not worth passing. So II became gen
orally Understood that people interested in
legislation. before hey could hope to succeed
would be obliged to step up to the speakers
| Office and settle.
He secured the passage of q law which
gave HIM power to issue what are called pay
certificates or speakers warrants-in Other
| words drafts upon the tTeasury-whict
| were made by him at will, almost without