The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-07-12
Why Blythe Resigned.

GKEENvILLE, July G.-Thc news Of
the resignation Of United States Marshal
Blythe causes considerable surprise in
Greenyilr. Col. Blythe is a native of
this county, has resided here all Of his
life, and had long been a prominen,
member OF the Grccnvile Bar when he
WAS appointed United States Marshal for
this state. RumOrs of the unearthiug Of
frauds OF deputy marshals in !hair &C.
COUNTS against the Government, hsOugi!:
to official light by the examiners sent
here and elsewhere in the State for the
purpose of investigating, have been cur
rent for month or two past. Col.
BIythe's resignation is Of course ut once
connected with the vague rumors of the
shortcomings Of his deputies, and his
friends as well as the public have been
anxlously solicitous to know the facts in
connection with his resignation.
With the view of vscertainng the
cause OF his resignation called on Col.
Blythe this afternoon a. the office Of 4.
ID. Mayfeld, Esq, his former law part
ncr. Col. Blythe has just returned from
Washington where he had gone on the
business Of bis office sud where he had
full conference with the department.
He conversed freely and unreservedIy as
TO his resignation and as to the crooked
accounts Of the deputies for which lie is
held responsible without, however, going
into particulars as to any one fraudulent
charge. A Washington special, said
your Reporter to Col. Blythe, contains
the announcement that you have resigned
your office as United States Marshal for
South Carolina. Have you any objec-
tions to giving the readers Of the News
and Courier your reasons for such resig-
| nation?
Answer: The department examiners
have recently been through the State
examining the accounts of deputy mar
shals. This examination goes back
through my term. y considerable
amount has been stricken out of almost
every deruty's account as constructive or
illegal. The department proposes to
hold my account responsible for those
disallowances. This was the principle
| cause Of my resignation, besides the
office Of marshal did not suit me in any
respect, and | am anxious to return to
my profession.
for some time past as to this crookedncss
which have been investigated by the
department. Can you throw any light
on the sujcct?
Answer: The examiners claim to
have found Irregularities and illegal
charges in almost every account, but !
have not seen the specific charges.
Question: Have the practices or Gus.
toms, which are termed constructive,
been carried on among deputy marshals
all the time, and have these accounts
ever been questioned before?
Answer: | think that charges now
deemed constructive by the department
have constantly been made in this State
by deputy marshals. sheriffs and consta-
bles. They have, heretofore, been
allowed without question.
Question DO you intend 10 submit 10
being made responsible for the over
charges of your deputies under the cir
cumstapces, or will you contend other.
| wise?
Answer; a copy of the report will he
sent me. l will then have an opportu-
nifty Of answering it, aud it will be
finally passed upon by the first comp
troller.
Question: Have real frauds been
practiced by the deputy marshals or are
they simply over charges, which are
merely legal frauds-not being expressly
authorized py law
Answer: The accounts Of the depu-
ties are itemized and sworn to as correct
and certified by the commissioner before
whom the case was heard. The exami.
ners claim, however, to have found many
charges which they characterize as false
and fraudulent.
Question; DO the over charges thus
charged 10 your account amount to any
considerable sum?
Answer: fear it will be pretty large,
but have not yet seen the report of
disallowances.
Question Have these overcharges
been general with deputy marshals, or
confined to only a few, or to those Of any
particular section Of the State?
Answer: 1t is alleged that they are
general and in every part of the State.
Question Has your resignation been
accepted by the department?
Answer: My resignation was to take
effect upon the appointment and qualif.
cation of my successor. think the
appointment will be made in few days.
will conduct the Office until my sue.
cessor qualities, and then return to
Greenville and resume the practice of
my profession.
In reply to question as to who would
probably be his successor Col. Blythe
declined to give any opinion, saying that
he had no means of knowing whom the
department would be likely to appoint.
He returns to Charleston tomorrow to
resume his official functions until relieved
by his successor.-Ne,rs and Courier.