The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-29
CAREER OF GOV. MOSES.
Some Moral Lessons From the Pitifui
Plight Of Former Governor.

The New York Journal this week
dcvotcs page to an illustrated story
Of the blighted career Of Franklin J.
Moses. former reconstruction cover,
nor Of this state. now q morphine
fiend, tramp and criminal Of the
lowest type CT New York. 1t is a
story Of just retribut;on oyertaking a
man who deserted his people in time
of trouble for gain OF money and poll
tical preferment. The bulk Of the
argument is taken up with an
account by Moses himself. but the
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 ey-GoYernJr FRANKLIN J..
! Noses. OF South Carolina. was Sentenc-
ed in 4 Boston police court to four
months in the House Of 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 state to tramp
convicted Of passing worthless check
! is directly traced TO ODium.
The only son Of wealthy ard in
huential parents, Moses had ever pos
sible advantage. His father was chief
Of justice Of the State of South Caro-
lima. ais mother distinguished South
ern beauty.
Tall, handsome, of distingue pre-
sence. gifted with exceptional talents.
prestige and wealth, Franklin J.
Moses made dashing soldier and
later an able statesman. That was
thirty years ago.
Today 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 in his own be-
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 Cardinals
proudest 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
gathering at Charleston was consider
ed a 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.
1S43-Franklin J. Moses, the only
son of Chief Justice Moses, born in
South Carolina.
1S55-Sent to college, where he as
tOniShed all by his brilliancy.
1S62-Graduated with highest hon
orS.
IS63-Joined the Confederate army.
Hoisted the Stars and Bars aver Sum-
ter when the Stars and Stripes were
hauled down after AnderSon's surren-
Ger.
1S70-Elected speaker of the state
house of representatives of South Car
Olina.
1873-Elected governor Of the state
Of South Carolina.
1S15-Vacated his Office as Chief
Executive Of the State. Suffered So
cial ostracism. Became addicted to
the use of morphine.
1S76-Mored to New York to look
for work. Made living writing
political speeches for candidates for
offices.
1s77--Began frequenting opium
dens in New Yo7k'S China town.
l87S-Arrested in New York
charged with forging note far 1915
in South Carolina. Delivered to
South Carolina authorities, but es-
capped.
1SS4-Arrested in New York and
sent to Blackwelrs Island.
lSS5-Arrested in Massachusetts,,
charged with obtaining money un-
der false pretenSe and sent to Charles
town Penitentiary for 3 years.
1SSS-DiScharged from prison cured
OF the morphine habit. Went to
Winthrop, near Boston, resolved to
begin life anew, and commenced the
publication Of the Winthrop Sun, a
weekly newspaper.
1S9O-Elected town moderator at
Winthrop, where he presided for two
consecutive terms at all town meet
ings.
1S9S-Met with business reTerses.
Sold the Winthrop Sun and drifted to
Boston.
1900-Became an outcast and
tramp. Arrested in March on q
charge of larceny, and again in Au-
gust on another charge of the same
nature.
Arrested at Boston for lar
ceny Of an overcoat valued at $50.
Sent to the House Of Correction at
Deer Island for four months by Judge
Brown on January 8.