The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-01-29
CAREER OF GOV. M0sEs.
some Moral Lessons From the PitifuI
T'H&ht OF Former Governor.

Plight OF Former Governor
The New York journal this week
deyUteS Il page to an illustrated story
Of the blightcd career OF Franklin J
Moses, former reconstruction Cover
nor Of this state, now morphine
iiend. tramp and criminal OF the
! lowest type o. New York. 1t is a
story Of just rctribution overtaking
man who deserted his people in time
OF trouble for gain OF money and poli-
teal prefcrment. The bulk u the
argument is taken up With an
account 10y Moses himself, but tie
facts Of interest are all told in The
Journals Introductory, which though
somewhat exaggerated covers the main
points well. This Introductory is as
follows
\ week ago eX-GOvernor FranklinJ J .
Moses, Of South Carolina. was sentenc-
cd In a Boston police court TO four
months in the House Uf Correction at
Deer Island
Back Of this is life story, strange.
dramatic, pathetic. Which teaches a
powerful moral.
The downfall OF Franklin J. Moses
from the social and political influence
OF chief executive Of Il state to tramp
convicted or ofpassing Il worthless check
+ directly traced to opium.
The only son OF wealthy and in
ilucntial parents. Moses had ever pos
sibe advantage. His father was chief
Of Justice Of the State OF South Caro-
lima his mother distinguished South
ern beauty.
Tall, handsome, OF diStingue pre-
sence, gifted with exceptional talents.
prestige and wealth, Frank lin J.
Moses made dashing soldier and
later an able statesman. That was
thirty years ago.
To-day he is, the ruin Of his for
mer self. bowed down. haggard and
pitiful. His picture is in the Rogues
Gallery. He has neither friends nor
money!
Nothing seems left to him except
the gift of eloquence, and he has used
that with telling effect i'm his own he
half when arraigned in police court
from time to time to answer for his
various miSdoings.
In his youth Franklin j. Moses was
the petted darling OF South Carolina'S
proudcSt and most exclusive social
sets. All the men admired him. The
women adopted him. At the banquet
his speech was the most conspicuous
toast OF the evening. No ball or social
nnrinu N
ed complete success unless he was
there.
In his cell in the House OF Correc-
tion at Deer Island, Boston. Franklin
j. Moses yesterday dictated the his
tory OF his life. Too nervous to write.
he restleSSly paced backward and for
ward as he Sorrowfully told OF glorious
prospects blighted, golden opportuni-
ties thrown away, and the final Subju-
cation Of those attributes which mark
the gifted scholar and statesman by
the characteristics of the tramp and
criminal.
Franklin J. Moses, the only
son Of Chief Justice Moses, born in
South Carolina.
lS5j-Scnt to college. where he as
toniShed all by his brilliancy.
1862 Graduated with highest hon
orS.
l863-JOined the Confederate army.
lIoiSted the Stars and Bars aver sum
ter when the Stars and Stripes were
hauled down after AnderSonS Surren-
der.
ls70-Elected speaker OF the state
Z hnI1Sn tlt i've Of 1, ~,
olina.
1873 Elected governor Of the state
Of South Carolina.
1S75-Nacatcd his Office as Chief
Executive of the State. Suffered So
cial oStraciSm. Became addicted tC
the use Of morphine.
1876 Moved to New York to look
for work Made a living writing
political speeches for candidates foI
Offices.
1S77--Began frequenting opium
denS in New GorkS China town.
1873 Arrested in New York
charged with forging note far $3lG
| in South Carolina. Delivered to
south Carolina authorities, but es-
capped
lsS4-ArreSted in New York and
sent to BlackwellS Island.
1850 Arrested in Massachusetts.
charged with obtaining money un-
der false pretenSe and sent to Charles.
town Pcnitentiary for years.
lSSS Discharged from prison cured
of the morphine habit. Went tC
| Winthrop, near Boston, resolved tC
begin life anew. and commenced the
| publication OF the Winthrop sun, a
weekly newspaper.
lS9O-Elected town moderator at
Winthrop, where he presided for two
consecutive terms at all town meet.
| ingS
lS9S-Met with business reverscs.
Sold the Winthrop sun and drifted tC
| Boston.
1900 Became an outcast and
tramp. Arrested i'm March on a
charge OF larceny, and again in Au.
gust on another charge OF the same
nature.
1902 Arrested at Boston for lar.
ccny OF an overcoat valued at $50.
sent to the House OF Correction al
! Deer Island for four months by Judge
Brown on January 8.
Pulled out Her Eyes.
Mrs Bcula Abbey, the wife OF a
young merchant near Sparta, Tenn.
is dead as a result OF pulling out one
OF her eyes in fanantical and literal
Interpretation OF the scrptual iinjunc