Year: 1875

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GOV. CHAMBERLAIN INTERVIEWED.


representative of the Ns,us and Courte'
had long conversation with Governor Cham
berlain few days ago at his office in Colum'
bia. The conversation extended over all the
recent topics Of public interest in our State
and was so full and explicit as to lead to the
request that We might present to our readers
such parts of it as would, in our judgment, be
of interest to the public.


The conversation opened with reference TO
the recent absence of the Governor from the
State and the unfavorable comments, in some
quarters, upon that absence. 't/:l !.


Governor Chamberlain said that he went
North on the 25th of June primarily to meet
his engagement before the Yale Law School,
and next with view to find rest from the un'
interrupted strain of official cares and labors
which be had borne since last December. He
staid away, he said, no longer than was abso'
lutely essential to his health.


After some further conversation of a general
nature, our representative remarked that
among the events occurring during the Gov
ernor's absence was the trial of ex-Treasurer
Parker, and the testimony of Ladd that, in a
conversation between Ladd and Parker, the
latter had said that he understood that part
of the coupons $3.50 ,0000 worth were set aside
or apportioned to the Governor. The Cover.
nor was asked ifhe proposed TO make any
public statement denying the truth Of this tes.
timony. He replied with much warmth Of
manner and tone that he would never volun'
teer denial of such charge that selfrespect
required him to wait till such charge was
put in form which would enable him to meet
it. ..


1t was suggested to the Governor that, if he
was unwilling TO appear as volunteer in de-
NAL of such matters, he might answer such
questions as should be asked him. To this he
assented, and said: "Certainly, I will answer
questions to any extent; but I will not appear
before the public with a personal statement
till somebody brings direct charge against
me-" He added II shall answer any ques.
tion you may ask with pleasure"


The Governor was then asked if be recalled
the testimony of Ladd, in which allusion was
made to himself. Hereplied that he did, and
our representative then said "Well, sir, is
there any truth in the statement or inference
that you received any part of the coupons re-
ferred to in Parker's case?" .E


Governor. "None whatever; it is a base
less falsehood, by whomsoever concocted, or
repeated, or insinuated. 1t has not the slight
est shadow of fact to rest upon"


Question. "Did you ever know Of any di-
vision of coupons among any persons, such as
was indicated in Parkers trial" ''n


Governor. "Never, sir. never heard of
such thing, or of any transaction remotely
resembling it, till the public heard it on the
trial of Parker"


Question. "Did you ever hear that any
coupons we're set aside for you, or did you
ever receive or hear that you were to receive
any coupons or anything else as part of di'
vision of coupons ?? Il .s5i,s .,.


Governor. "Never. But you need not
multiply questions. I say to you that the
statement to which you allude is false in every
actual or conceivable phase, degree, sense Or
meaning. I not only never had any part or
lot in, or knowledge of, such transaction, but
never in any way owned, held or was in any
manner interested in any coupons or anything
connected with coupons, and 1 never even
owned or held consolidation bond. If you
can frame broader or more explicit denial
of everything connected with the coupon busi-
ness I will adopt it. have no knowledge of
it whatever, except what the public have
through the Investigations Of last winter and
the recent trial. Ifany man living can con.
meet me in any way whatever with these cou.
pons, let him come forward. I defy the ,oorld
to do It," l..... ID


The Governor added that it was of course
unpleasant and disgusting to have ones name
connected with such transactions in any way,
but that be could not be responsible for false
and unfounded tales which might be told, and
no fair minded man ought to be affected by
such tales till there was something like evil
dence to support them.


The Governors attention was called to the
subject of prosecutions generally against dis
honest and unfaithful public officers, and he
said with great emphasis, 81 am in favor of
holding every public officer to rigid account
ability, and if be violates the law am in ia
vor of his punishment. / shall d. my whole
duty in every such case. If | have any
knowledge of dishonest transactions I shall
place it in the hands Of those whose duty it is
to prosecute offenders against the law. I will
aid any man who is engaged in such work,
in all possible ways. confess, however, that
am not so much interested in what is past
and gone as I am in what is present and COM
ing. 1t will, I think, task all our energies to
the utmost to stop up the open leaks, and
staunch the running wounds. Another thing,
when prosecutions are started, if they are to
command public confidence, they must be so
conducted as to give evidence that the motive
actuating the State is the public good. The
moment they seem to be used as political ma
chimes they will be worse than useless. Wher-
ever I see or shall be shown an opportunity to
aid in Furnishing crime or preventing it, l shall
do my duty, and venture now to say that l
shall not be the first to cry "Hold, enough p
Time will show whether or others will find
prudential reasons for dealing gently with
public offenders. In the meantime malicious
rumors and tales that fill the air will not dis
turb me-"


The Governor continued the conversation
by remarking that his powers and duties were
exaggerated in the public mind. In some
States the Governor was authorized to direct
suits and prosecutions to be brought in the
interest of the State, but it is not so in this
State. The public prosecuting officers are in
no way made subject to his control. His pow
ers are scarcely different from those Of any
citizen. If be discovers fraud he can only
lay its evidences before the solicitors or the
grand juries. In the actual prosecution Of
cases he has no voice or duty. He is bound
to give all the facilities in his power, and to
call attention to violations of law, but he can