The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-06-03
atlanta Constitution.

AUuNtu CUNStkuttUNs
There has been published in some news
papers the details of a rumor that there
has been trade or bargain by which the
change in the Senatorship vas made.
The edirectest way of meeting this sort of
thing is to let thesparties interested; speak
for themselves; 1t will be seen from the
following that they speak with no nncer'
tain sound:
What Governor Colquitt Says.
called at the Executive Office to see
Governor Colquitt and asked him if he
would not give the public, through the
columns of the Constitution, All answer to
questions bearing on the recent appoint
ment He replied that he would do 30
with pleasure.
"You have heard the rumor, then, that
there was some sort of bargain or un-
derstanding between yourself and Gov
ernor Brown or General Gordon in regard
to their resignation and appointment.
What have you to say about this?"
II have to say that it is utterly, wan.
tonly FALSE" the Governor replied, with
great feeling, sand that no one but a
liar or thief would make such state
mentl, ,5n e.sa t
s:"There was, then, no sort ofdnderstand-
"None-nor the hint of one-none, di-
rectly or indirectly. have had know
ing of Gen. Gordon's desire to resign sor
several months. 1t gave me great con.
cern to see him leave the Senate, and 1
resisted it until I saw that he was deter
mined upon his course. I then began to
look about for successor in case he sent
in his resignation Isoon arrived at the
conclusion that the fittest appointment
was Governor Brown, and at once sent
for him. When he came stated the
case and rendered him Gen. Gordon's
place. He declined it first, but I urged
him to accept, and he fnallys said that he
would think it over. There was not the
slightest hint of any condition or trade
or bargain or understanding. He begged
me to urge Gen. Gordon to reconsider,
saying that he thought. Gen. JGordon's re.
tiring would be;a loss to. the State. ]
promised to do this, and did it, and he
left expressingthe hope that Gen. Cor
don would reconsider.
!"You did not know, then, that he would
accept when you telegraphed him 2" =
Il did not. I was both surprised and:
gratiGed at his prompt acceptance."
You have not represented Gen. Cor
don in any proposition or tender to Gov
ernor Brown?"
"None whatever. I do not know to
this moment what Gen. Gordon is going
to do-what position he is going to &C.
cept, or what has been offered him, or
what he wants. / only know that tried
to the very last to persuade him to re.
main in the Senate, and when that failed
appointed the man, in n ] opinion, who
was best able to fill his seat. ] do not
blame any man for-but 1 have nothing
but loathing and. contempt for the man
who hints of corrupt or questionable
methods in getting at it,"
"How do you account, Governor, for
the fact that Governor Browns appoint
ment was predicted as soon as General
Gordon's resignation was announced ?"
".Simply from the fact that General
Gordon's resignation had been under
consideration some time, and had con-
suited with some of them that if he
resigned should appoint Governor
Brown. That is, I presume, the explana-
tion. These friends must have mentioned
what they had heard me say as to my
choice"
What Governor Brown Says.
From the Executive Office the Consti-
tuition man went to see Governor Brown.
in answer to the same inquiry put to Gov.
Colquitt, Gov. Brown said:
"The statement that there has been
any trade or bargains or condition in this
matter is an Infamous falsehood, and you
are authorized and requested to say this
for me- w
evil you give me the history of yeur
appointment 2"
sI will. The first hint that ever had
of General Gordon's intended resigua-
ton, was in conversation with Govern
or Colauitt. He said to me that the res
ignation was probable, and asked me if
Iwould accept the place if General Cor
don insisted on resigning. / stated that
would not, and I at once urged the Gov
ernor to write General Gordon and urge
him to remain in his seat. The Governor
promised to do this, and then urged me,
in case he failed, to accept the place. I
still declined, out left the matter open
at his request. After consulting with
some friends, decided to accept, in case
General Gordon resigned. There was no
suggestion or hint of any bargain or I'm.
derstanding or condition, then or at any
other time. I was simply urged to take
the place, and finally agreed. There new
er has been the slightest hint of condi-
tion."
"Did you have any correspondence
with General Gordon ?n
"I have not exchanged word or thought
with him by mail, or telegraph, or other
wise, in months, and never anything that
borein the slightest degree on this matter.
Nor has any friend passed one word be-
tween US in any way"
sHas there been the slightestsuggestion
that you should give up the place to Gen
eral Gordon ?"
"Never at any time. On the contrary,
the only suggestions / have had are ur-
gent requests from my stockholders that |
should remain in charge of the road. l
have letters or lelegrams from every
shareholder in the lease, except the
holders of one and three.quarters shares,
urging me to stick to the Presidency of
the road, and this I shall do. l shall re-
pursue exactly the same policy that has
characterized my management all the
time. There has been no attempt to
change this and no wish to do so. As
to my denial that there has been any
sort of trade, or suggestion Of trade, or
exchange of places, or change OF policy,
you cannot express that as strongly as |
should wish to have it expressed. The
facts are just as l have given them."
General Gordon not Heard From.
1t was of course impossible to get all
interview with General Gordon, but we
are authorized in the strongest sense to