The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-03-31
Covert Attack on Hampton's Character Ex-
posed.

WAsu.N0ToS, March 27.-Tbat John Sherman
Is a political trickster aud peculator of public
moneys few people doubt after the Developments
OF the last Presidential campaign aud The out:urn
OF the treasury investigation but here is proof
that he carries his scoundrelism into private as
well as public life
Everybody knows that since Senator II amptou
convicted William Tecumseh Sherman of lying,
In regard TO the burning cf Columbia. the Sher
man family have been very bitter against him.
IL VIII also be remembered that during the last
residential campaign John Sherman, then secre
tary'of the treasury, laid bare his vulgar spite
oy replying to courteous letter of inquiry
from Senator Hampton with open letter, most
offensive in its terms. and very insulting to the
people OF South Carolina. Soon after this the
notorious South Carolina Radical and enegade
white man, Rolhn IL. Kirk. then employed in
the treasury here, published n scurri;ous aud
hbellous attack upon Senator Hampton, chare-
Ing him with having aided in numbering n score
OF negroes in Mississippi, and with such other
offences as villanous imaginati on could con-
Jure up. The letter was circulated by the Re-
publicans during the last Presidential cam pagn
throughout the West. Upon Sherman's exit from
the treasury Kirk lost his place there. month
or two ago he was reinstated. and almost stimuli
taneously his wretched campaign lies were re-
published by a>scavenger sheet in Charles
ton.
Upon this several of Senator Hampton's
was An employee of the Government occupied in
circulating the most aIominable falsehnoar
against n Senator. The attacks weps- personal
not poiinni, ~"i us such could Justly be object
ell to. Secretary Folger was seen AND the facts
laid before him. lie promptly Admitted that
Kinks course was sufficient cause for his dis.
charge.-lIs sent fpr Kirk aud nterrop ated hims
MIX admitted having written the letter, Out
begged the secretary with tears in his eyes not
TO discharge him, rs he had wife and six chill
di en- to support. The attack, he declared was
ordered by superior official
Mr.. Folgor comm unicated these facts to Seua-
| tor Hnmpton and offered to discharge Kirk from
| office if he desired it. Senator Ham ion replied
that he would spare him, but that he wished to
| know who had melted the publication. Kirk,
| upon hearing thia. stated that the official was
Secretary Sherman, and produced q letter from
the Secretary 10 prove the fact. This letter was
read by Senator Hampton and others and was
rctui ned to its owner
| Ii seems that Kirk first wrote . the secretary
who replied in substance MS follows; .In my
| position cannot notice these things, but wish
that you, or some one else. would make q for
| NAL statement of the kind against Hampton
| Kirk said that coming from the highest treasury
officer he regarded the letter as an order. and
lie also asserted that Sherman promised, if bt
was discharged from the treasury to get him q
| place at the Capitol.
These facts have been leaking out gradually
| ana they are kncwn 20 several Senator's who de
clare it the most das'ardly they ever heard of
| lere was the secretary of the treasury of tn;
United States employing the venom of his sub
ordinate to strike nj the personal character of n
senator The cowardly brute who hires III,
| services OF an assassin TO murder his opponent
is as respectable.-Co Cor Ne,cs and Courier.