The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-05-15
The Last of John Patterson.

Oui ColSCiuSN SOhoSni POAoi VIZ 1"tCo3
published the other day a remarkable
statement about Honest John Patterson,
of Juniata county, Pa, who tarried in
South Carolina as long as there was good
stealing in that State. The Times says
that Honest John signalised his last days
in the character of mock Senator, by
uniting with six others, morally like him
self, in stealing from the United States
the greater part of SIT 900. We consider
the story remarkable, not to say unde-
serving of trust, because we can hardly
believe that Honest John would stoop to
a larceny of such contemplate proper
tions. 1t seems altogether unworthy of
his we'll earned reputation, and the pub
lie will be slow to credit it, unless sus-
tanned by clear and conclusive evidence.
1t appears, then, that the Senate or
dered an inquiry as to the condition of
things in the Indian Territory, and the
alleged fraudulent issue of bonds by GER
tain land-grant railroads there. 1t was
long previously known that Mr.. Patter-
son could never return to the State of
South Carolina, on account of certain un-
pleasant proceedings in the Courts; and
he was probably made Chairman of the
Committee on Territories by his sympa-
thetic associates in order that he might
make the acquaintance of some of the
inhabitants of those distant parts, and
prepare himself a refuge somewhere to-
ward the setting sun. At all events,
when the order was passed, it found John
in position and eager for work. He had
been so frequently investigated himself
that the Senate had right to presume
that he fully understood the business.
AS to the fraudulent bonds, Honest John
had enjoyed remarkable and instruc-
tive experience during his brief sojourn
in South Carolina. 1t was probably
owing to these considerations more than
to the heat of the weather or distance to
be travelled, that the other members of
the Committee left the whole matter to
Honest John, relying upon his we'll
known character and abilities for a
proper result.
And now Patterson set to work in
earnest. Realizing that his sham Sena-
torial career was rapidly drawing to a
close, he determined to get in his harvest
while the sun was hot. He made his
dutiful son clerk of the Committee, and
paid him only the paltry sum of $1,000
for that dreadful trip in palace car all
the way to Dennison, Texas, and back,
occupying; with harassing stops for sight
seeing, nearly an entire month. He also
took with him deputy Sergeant-at-Arms
and four Washington bummers for COM
pany, making select party of seven.
They must, however, have been in the
last stages of starvation when Honest
John picked them up, for their voracity,
as exhibited by the vouchers, was some
thing tremendous. They ate in less than
month about 1000 worth of solid pro-
visions, and this fact probably explains
their enormous weight and the startling
cost of transporting them. 1t is known
that they travelled on free passes, as such
high-toned persons generally do, and yet
Honest John and his deputy Sergeant-at-
Arms found it necessary to disburse an
additional $1,000 or thereabouts for
"fares." Honest John also appropriated
$500 in cash, of which no account what
ever is rendered, but it must have been
used to enable him to appear with sena-
torial dignity among the Indians.
Altogether, Patterson spent $1,000
out of the contingent fund of the Senate,
and, considering the opportunity and the
temptation, the country ought to be very
thankful that it was no more. When
Honest John was in his prime, when he
looked upon the PROSTATE State of South
Carolina and chuckled audibly over the
prospect of give years good stealing still
left in her." he would have scorned such
paltry pickings as these, especially where
they had to be divided among six OF his
hungry followers.
So passes John Patterson. He was
almost the last of the carpet-baggers.
Now, if Mr.. Kellogg would only steal
the furniture out of his committee room,
and go packing off to Illinois, where he
| came from, or follow Patterson toward
the setting sun, we should be clear OF
the whole race, thank heaven, and take
heart. 1t is strange how naturally the
thieves disappear from public life with
the disappearance of the bayonet from
the polls.-NetU York Sun.