The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-17

CcIuCu. Palo OofOAhot Hfoho ASS VI
learned what it would be, it appears
on the record that at least two of the
three State officials actively engaged
in the negotiation of the bonds were
employed and paid by the purchasers
The impression given to the persons
most actively engaged in behalf of the
syndicate at the time is clearly sci
forth in the testimony. Certain mem
bers of the sydicate expressed curl
osity and interest, natural, perhaps.
in the circumstances. They inquired
why it was that of $119,000 bonus Of
fered by the State 10 purchasers of the
bonds, only $39, 800 was available fol
the actual purchasers who were to fur
nish the money, while $7S, 200 was to
20 to Mr.. Rhind, who was furnishing
no money and apparently taking nc
active part in the dicker. The Rich;
mond broker told them he understood
-presumably from Mr.. Rhind-that
the bulk of that sum was to "be dl'
vided among parties in South Carolina
who had political influence" Inc
New York broker, who was IN close
association with Mr.. Rhipd, and whose
opportunities for knowledge were best
of all, replied that they would better
not investigate that; that it was TO 20
to people who would better not Do
known" 1t reads that way IN thetes
timony as taken.
When Mr.. Rhind was on the stand,
be was not pressed regarding his use
of his part of the bonus. and offered
no explanation. Itis not in evidence
in this case, but it is fact capable Of
easy and direct proof, that Mr.. Rhind,
while holding the option on the bond
issue and endeavoring to induce the
of syndicate to take it,
stated that he would not get more than
enough from it to pay for his time
and expenses. 1t is also true that
members of the syndicate who were
willing to deal directly with the State
and take the bonds for commission
of three-fourths of one per cent. were
officially informed that no PROPOSE
tions could be considered unless they
were sent through Mr.. Rhind-that
not even an offer of par net without
any commission, although at that
very time Mr.. Rhind was demanding
a 2i per cent. commission.
When the time came for division OF
the bonus of SIS, 900, the New York
man toook $4,000 and the Richmond
man $4,000, for a pecial services and
expenses. Mr.. Rhind got $4s, 500, and
Major Gary $1,000. A peculiar and
perhaps significant circumstance is
that Mr.. Rhind took his $4S, 900 not in
one draft on the Baltimore Trust
Company, but in three separate drafts,
all payable the same day-one for
$25, 900 one for $4,000, and one for
$14,500 To sum up, according to the
sworn evidence on record:
Mr.. Rhind, swho has no special
prominence or, standing in business
circles, and who was not a citizen or
resident of South Carolina, was ap-
preached by the present Governor,
Evans, then the recognized admins
tration leader in the Legislature. He
was given by Governor Tillman and
Treasurer Bates all exclusive option to
place Sc, 900, 900 4 per cents at a COM
mission of 5 per cent. fourteen months
before the time for the bonds to be Is
sued. He failed to effect this, and
Governor Tillman declared that. after
a personal visit to New York, he be-
came convinced that "A per cent. bond
could not be placed. The Governor
again gave an exclusive option to
Rhind to place at 1-2per cent. loan;
The syndicate formed to take this fell
to pieces. For the third time MIR.
Rhind was given the exclusive option.
The men who composed the syndl-
cate got $4,000, or three quarters OF l
per cent. The men who organized the
Syndicate got from Rhind $25, 1000, or
less than one. half of 1 per cent. Mr..
Rhind realized S49, 900, or nearly 1 per
cent, on the option given him long
in advance of the time for placing the
loan. So far as chat part of it is con-
cerned, it appears to have been free
gift from the State of South Carolina
to chosen citizen of Georgia, who
employed the present Governor Evans
and his uncle as his attorneys. The
$4,000 and odd paid Treasurer Bates
by the syndicate is said here to have
been for services in removing the
money sent by the syndicate from
Charleston to Columbia.
Governor Tillman demanded that
the syndicatepay for its bonds in cur
rency in Columbia. That was in
June, 1893, about the time for the
lanic, and it was represented to him
that the currency could not be obtain
ed, except in silver, which would load
six freight cars. He replied with the
declaration that the six cars should be
delivered to him at the State line, and
that he would order out the troops to
escort it to Columbia. "By -" he
exclaimed to the banker who was ne.
gotiating with him, ''you can't scare
me by threatening to pay in silver.
But be was finally paclfied and induc-
ed to accept exchange on Charleston.
1t is possible that the continued en-
ployment of Mr.. Rhind and the re.
newals of the exclusive option to him
were the results of the confidence he
inspired in his ability, and that his
Observation-Disclosures commits.
sion is his exclusively, not to be sh ar
ed with anybody. 1t is also possible
that the duties of Mr.. Evans. now
Governor, as attorney for Mr.. Rhind
did not interfere with or affect his &C
tions and course in the legislature, and
that he could and did separate his pri
vate interests and his public duties en
tirely. 1t is further possible thai
State Treasurer Bates earned the 81, ,OOl
paid him by the syndicate fairly ano
fully. In the lanpuape of Marc An