Year: 1874

SENATOR ROBERTSON INTERVIEWED.


The attitude of the Federal Government
toward the gang Of thieves who rule South
Carolina, and who are now striving to perpet-
uate their power to rob her people under the
forms of law, is just now matter Of profound
interest to our citizens. With view of OBJ
tanning trustworthy information on the SUBJ
ject, reporter for the Ne,os and Courier WIS.,
tied United States Senator Robertson, who
has just returned from Washington, and is
sojourning for day or two at the Pavilion
Hotel. He was courteously received, and the
following conversation ensued:


Reporter. I have called, senator, to obtain
your views upon the feeling and prospect at
Washington in regard to affairs in this State.


Mr. Robertson. AS far as I have been able
to Judge, the sentiment in Washington, and,
indeed, all over the North, is very much in
favor of the honest people of the South, and
against the corrupt governments that prevail
in the States of Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas
and South Carolina. There can be no mis-
taking the public sentiment. 1t is thoroughly
sick Of corruption, and clamorous for reform.
The President himselfi is completely disgusted,
and is very positive in insisting that the party
in South Carolina must purify itself.


Reporter Did the President indicate what
he proposed doing to help the party to purify
itself?


Mr.. Robertson. The President can do moth
ing I said to him that the mass of the people
in this State, black as we'll as white, the in
telligent and uneducated alike, believed that
the United States troops were kept here for
the purpose of sustaining the State govern.
ment President Grant replied that the peo-
pie had no right to believe any such thing
that the troops were not sent here for any
such purpose; they were only here to enforce
the laws of the general government. He also
said to me that he would infinitely rather see
the State government pass into the hands of
the Democratic party than to see it continued
in the hands of the corrupt crew who have
brought things to the present pass. Now |
call that pretty squars thing for the Presi-
dent to say. He wouldn't have said it six
months ago. 1t certainly shows what he
thinks of the condition of affairs in the State.
And there is Judge Bond. You know what
were his sentiments toward the South when
he first came here Well, two weeks ago he
expressed the same sentiments as those uttered
by the President-that the reign Of corruption
in South Carolina ought to be stopped at once.


Reporter, But what do General Grant and
Judge Bond propose to do to help US to reform
the existing abuses?


Mr.. Robertson. The general government
can do nothing ITSELF Neither can the Pres
ident or Judge Bond. The people of the
State-the voters-must redress their wrongs
at the balot-box. have heard that Attor-
ney.General Williams said, some time ago,
that, in the event of the continuance Of the
present corrupt government in power, should
the taxpayers Of the State refuse to pay the
taxes, the United States would not lend its
assistance to enforce their collection and l
fully believe that the President would not
permit the United States troops to interfere.
The government must protect its citizens in
the enjoyment of all their rights, and will do
so ; but am confident that it will not give its
protection and support to bad men who rob
the people and squander the public funds.
Reporter. What do you think Of the chance
of a reform inside the party lines ?


Mr. Robertson. told the President that
there were good and honest men in the Re.
publican party in this State, who, if they
could be elected, would fill the offices to the
satisfaction of the people and administer pub
lie affairs in an honest and straig ghtforward
manner; but don't think that they can be
elected. They don't possess the strength, and
I honestly believe that none Of them could
secure the nomination.


Reporter Is it true, as is stated, that the
President will lend his influence to the elec-
tion of ex-Assistant Treasurer Sawyer to the
gubernatorial chair?


Mr.. Robertson. I don't think there is a
word of truth in it. l know that the Presi-
dent has not signifed his preference for any
candidate. He did say to me some time ago,
"Why don't you elect Corbin?" But l told
him l didn't think that Corbin had the
strength. The administration has no candi-
date, and will not express preference for any
one. 1t ouly wants to see the government
thoroughly reformed.


Reporter. If the President is so earnest for
reform and appreciates the frightful corrup-
tion which exists here, how do you account
for his snubbipg the taxpayers committee
last spring?


Mr.. Robertson. have heard that on the
very morning of the day on which the tax
payers committee called on him, the President
had been shown copy, or what purported to
be copy, of Gen. Gary's speech in the con-
vention, and suppose he was in gruf tenn.
per and gave them short answers. The real
trouble in our State, I think, is that the white
people have not individuality enough. They
prefer to run in groove and utter the senti-