Year: 1875

money. MIR. SOlCm0nS baDk naQ UetL the
sole depository during the whole term of Gov.
Moses administration, and, think, duringt the
last term of Gov. SCOTS, and had had depos-
its amounting at tiraes to one million Of dollars.
Still felt that such course was not safe.
Mr.. Cardozo heartily sustained me; while
Judge Hoge, then comptroller-general, and
almost or quite every leading Republican in
the State, warmly opposed my plan of ap-
pointing additional places of deposit. 1t
must be remembered that this bank was very
powerful with the party and the Legislature
In discussing the subject with Mr.. Solomon
and the friends of the bank, I invariably said
that did not discredit the bank, but l did
insist that its capital and standing did not
warrant its having more than part OF the
State deposits, say S250,0OO, and that was
willing, in view Of the strong sentiments OF
the friends of the bank, to allow this amount
of deposit to remain in this bank longer than
the deposits in other banks, as the money was
drawn out for public use, but that the rest
ought to be distributed among other banks.
This course was adopted, and my action was
aimed at keeping the deposits as low as $780,
0O0 At times they were more and at times
less, but did not, believe, vary greatly du-
ring the winter from that amount. In the
month of April, after Mr.. Dunn became
mptroller.general, called meeting Of the
board of deposit, informing the other men,
bers that I wished it determined how large an
amount of deposit, and for how long should
it be placed in the different banks. | ex-
planned to Mr.. Dunn, the comptroller-general,
my course toward this bank and my reasons,
and then 1 especially wished his advice in
settling the question then pending. The
amount of deposits in the Bank and Trust
Company (the Solomon Bank) was then about
$150,0o0, the amount having been reduced
below the usual figures. The board voted to
fix the amount in that bank at 5000, 900, and
to allow it to remain until needed for July
payments. This action was in accordance
with all my previous actions, and was based
upon the same reasons and considerations


Nothing had occurred in the meantime to
give any hint Of any increased weakness of
the bank ; and its standing in the community
was then, venture to assert, as high as ever.
No change took place in the affairs Of the
bank, to my knowledge from this time till its
failure I did perceive latein June, that Mr..
Solomon seemed embarrassed in raising the
amount which he was notified would be needed
on July l, but he gave no sign that it was
more than temporary embarrassment, and
left the State with no idea of his suspension
or failure. certainly sought to do my full
duty by the State in this matter, and that,
too, at great political expense to myself, as is
well known by all who were in Columbia last
winter. I was not all-wise or all-powerful.
did not foresee all that has come to pass.
If others were wiser than I, / have no need to
quarrel with them. did all that l thought
was my duty, and stood ready to do that at
all times. The result has been unfortunate
in the extreme, and, perhaps no one man has
so much cause to regret it so much as have,
but I do not reproach myself with any neg
ect or fault, so far as can now see. If the
result shall be to make it easier hereafter to
Danish all political and personal consideration
from the determination of such questions, per-
haps the gain will equal the present loss"


The conversation turned upon the political
situation Of affairs in the State, and the Gov
ernor expressed the hope that the cause Of
good government was making substantial pro-
gress in the State. He said he did not fear
that any combinations aiming to restore the
misrule of the last two years would succeed.
He relied ON the support Of all the thinking
Republicans, who must now be satisfied that
reform was the only good policy, to take no
higher view of it. Speaking Of the Conserva-
tives and their relations to him, he said: 81
have never failed to give full credit to the
Conservatives. and to the Conservative press
Of the State, for their very hearty support of
my course. They have shown the best of
spirit and have rendered effective and abso.
lutely Indispensable aid. believe they will
continue to do so. There are carpers, NAL
contents, reactionary politicians, among the
Conservatives and the Conservative press, who
seem to think it wise to discredit me and my
work, but am satisfied their influence is lin.
! tied as their number is small. There are doz-
ems of letters lying on this table from the best
and most trusted men of this State deprecating
such course, and assuring me of their ardent
and constant support. At any rate their
course will not affect me. III had been a
man to take my public course from desire
to punish my enemies you know no man ever
had greater temptation to such course than
l had the day took my seat as Governor.
But the man does not live who ever heard me
utter an uukind word toward those who op-
posed me most bitterly in the political cam
paign. bent all my efforts toward doing
what had promised to do, and I welcomed
every opportunity, whether official or person.
al, to serve the people-all the people-im-
partially. Now, if any Conservatives see fit
to renew their attacks upon me they can do
SO with safety. They will never drive me to
do an act, even in revenge, which will harm
them. Through good report and emil report I
shall hold on to tie end. This is matter of
principle with me, and it matters not who
stands by me or who deserts me, I shall
stand by the cause of reform with few or many
to sustain me"


The Governor was asked what his relations
we're with the administration at Washington,
and he answered: II understand that am
warmly sustained at Washington. have not
personally seen the President since l became
Governor, but Senator Robertson assures me
that the President is greatly grati6ed at the
results Of my. administration, and others tell
me the same. { i. do know that every member
of the Cabinet has expressed his most cordial
approval of my course and the results already
reached. They fesf that a heavy load is re.
moved from the Republican party, and that
the prosperity of the State has in every way
been promoted. In my visit to the North re-
Gently heard but one voice, that of approval
of my efforts and approval of the wise, pru-
dent, statesmanlike attitude Of the South Car
olina Conservatives. / heard not one word
of dissent anywhere from this view, and met
the ablest and best men of both parties. Their
only anxiety was to know whether we had
wisdom enough here to hold on as we had be-