The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-08
LETTER FROM SHERIFF DupRE.
He Falls into the Error OF Supposing
that the ''Press and Banncr'' Ap-
piled n Different Rule in Making
up Democratic and Radical Ac.


Editor Press and Bnnner:
Your article In the Press and Banner as to
the county expenses for the six years Of Radi
Cal and six years Of Democratic rule Is so far
from the actual facts; and 1t having been, In
part copied I'm the NeWs ard Courier and also
laid on the desks Of our Representatives. l am
In Justice to myself, compelled to notice 1t.
In the Radical times" the work done by the
Deputy Sherihs and all other parties employ
ell by him, was not put on the Sheriff II ac-
employee had his account made out in his
own name and marked In the reports as being
paid to them, and do not appear IN what the
County Commissioners term the "Sherif IS
account" The same is true of the transpOr-
tation account. TlIis Is now included In the
Sheritf's account rs also many other things
ent head. For instance, In 1873, You will see
that Guffin Qhe Sherif) was paid for sum-
moning the Jurors and for much other work
that Is now charged up on the Shertf's nc.
Shcriff's account OF that year. Hence you
see the injustice done the Democratic Sheriff
,uiftout this explanation.
The commissioners In Radical times enter.
ell under the head OF "Sherff' IS account" Just
such work as was done by the Sheriff himself
and under the Democratic rule everything
TINT passed through the Sheriff's hands to his
Deputies, the Railroads, &C., and 1t Is now
easily see why one account Is greatly In excess
Of the other.
Again, the Court expenses and the Sheriff IS
and the length of the term (of Conrtl. In Rad.
ical times fpllow-fceling prevented the pros.
ecution and punishment OF many criminals
lighter and the terms shorter, and this will
account In part for smaller Court expenses, II
TINT be a fact. which lam not willing to admit
until the records can be examined, and all
that should be charged up 10 the Court and
the Sheriff is so charged.
You will bear In mind also that In the last
SIX years we have had the Franklin murder
case, the Maddox murder case, the Guffia
murder the Clayton Allen murder and sever.
al OF her murder cases, the last, but not least
Of these the Benedict (Ferguson) murder case.
Some of these were in the Courts for over two
years. with witnesses by the hundred, (s5 wit
the cose (ciyiD Of jennings against the county
which itself cost over 500 These were ertra.
ordinary cases, and the like 1--WE hope) may
never happen again. Now as to the general
charge that our expenses under Democratic
rule is much larger than under Radical rule.
This is not so, and as soon as can get the re.
ports for the several years mentioned I will
demonstrate it. AS an instance. 1 viii now
say that the expenditures county In 1873
were sI2. so and in 1884, sl9,6337s, q differ
ence in favor Of 1854 Of over tUenty-tuo thou.
sand dOtl1rs.
AS to the transportation of convi,,ts /
think the State should pay 1t. but this is not a
Stn county. The expense for conveying con-
victs for this county to the penIientiary hns
been less than Sl2 per capita for the past six
years, as can be seen by my books and bills.
The transportation Of lunatics is u different
matter, many of these were our best citizens
and many Of them ladies, and We did not tic
or handcuf them.
Your statement that the charges In the bill
published was nt the lowest figure and could
have hcen more, Is mistake. 1t could not
have been more under the fee bill. for no sane
man can conclude that the milenge Is for each
convict. hut for each guard. And no honest
man would send greater number OF guards
than he believes to he necessary.
AS soon as can get the reports for the years
mentioned by YOU. will ventilate the whole
matter, and until then hope the matter will
rest. Respectfully,
Will the Neus and Courier please copy at
least portion of this2 J. F. Z. ID.