Year: 1876

CHARACTER OF THE NEWLY ELECTED JUDGES,


wHPPER AND MOSES.


The political situation in South Carolina and the con-
dition Of the republican party much discussed
here and some expressions used in conversation by
prominent republican member OF Congress, having
been reported to Governor Chamberlain he has written
in reply under date OF January 1S the following letter.
which gives at some length, and in very plain language
the Governors OF Affairs in his State and Of the
tendency of the struggle there


oY GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN


WASHINGTON d. c.
DEAR sm--I have to-day received a letter from
friend who has recently conversed with you in winch
he writes, "Mr - looks on your lmyl attitude in
practical Identification with the democrats and al
ready gives up the State South Carona TO the oppo
sition."


am sure you would not willingly reach either Of the
above conclusions, and therefore am forced to think
that you greatly misinformed in regard to the
posture OF political affairs in this State | am aware,
too that you are greatly and sincerely interested In
the fortunes Of Southern republicans and therefore
conclude that you will listen to statements which
may be LAID before you though they may not agree
with the conclusions which you have already reached
beg your indulgence while, as briefly possible |
give you my views OF the situation here.


EHGoyernor +. j. Noses Jr., was my predecessor in
Office During his term OF office the conduct of pub
| lie affairs by him and his followers such that a
majority OF the republican party became convinced
that thorough reform, or the promise OF IL tho
only way in which the success OF the party could be
secured in 1875 For some reason was selected as
| the candidate for Governor of those who held such
views had been Attorney General ofthe State from
1868 to 1872 and on account Of my connection with
public affairs here during that period disrusted
| by many republicans and my nomination was hotly
contested, on the sole ground that was not likely to
carry out the promised reforms OF our party. Upon
my nomination, though had pledged myself in every
form TO immediate and rigid reform, bolt took place
embracing many OF our best and most devoted republ
cans who refused TO support me because could not in
their Judgment be trusted to carry out practical reform
My election 1ercely contested by those republicans
on that ground alone while my friends and | stoutly
/ asserted eve her
that II was elected thorough and complete reform
should take place was elected by majority Of IL. 600
votes, as against majority of IS 900 for Moses
previous and 40 900 for Scott four years previous
this reduced majority being solely due to the dstrus
OF me and my supporters by considerable wing OF
party the single issue Of reform.


TnB GOVERNORS WORK


took my seat as Governor December !, 1874 and
addressed myself earnestly TO the work OF keeping the
pledges had made and the pledges made for me by all
my friends and by our platform in the campaign
soon found that many OF those who sup
ported in the campaign and had talked
reform did not want REFORM but / persovered
determined, as matter Of right and Of good
policy, TO adhere TO my party platform and pledges
Of course those who dsliked practical reform cried
out, HE is gong over to the democratsl" "He
social recognition from the rebelsl" and all
the rest OF those senseess cries such
you hear about Still per-
severed; and when Legislature met in November
last there was apparent harmony between me and my
party and complete acquiescence in the wisdom OF
the policy Of reform as carried out by The result
was that at that time the democracy OF this State
dlsarmed and had no hope, apparently, OF even nom-
mating separate State ticket in opposition 10 the
publican party Neither under tho guise of 'tax
unions" the conservative party could they or did
they maintain even an organization worthy the name.
The leaders could not persuade the OF the white
people that they could secure any better
than they were enjoying under my administration.


Now what had done up to that timer challenge
contradiction from any source when solemnly affirm
that had done nothing; not one thing, which was not
pledged by every stump In the State when was
candidate; nothing which party platform did
demand; nothing but what every man who now OPP
poses declared In that campaign TO DO indispensable;
nothing winch you or any other honest republican
would not say was right and republican This is
broad statement but defy proof OF any sort In
tradicton OF 1t in any particular Suppose you talk
with some one In Washington who Is denouncng
mo-and It certainly cannot be difficult judging from
what hear to find such. ASK him what Governor
Chamberlain had done before these recent judicial
elections thai Indicated any nndoty to the republican
partyS Ask him n had appointed democrats TO olcef
If he tells you the truth he will no. for tho fact that
since 1865 we're there so few democrats In ONCE
In this State since my administration. | know
whereof affirm and will prove IL 10 you II you find IL
denied Ask him further If advocated approved any
measures Of legislation which wero In any possible
unrepubcan or opposed TO the interests OF the
republican party lie cannot name one, for there is
not one Ask him II proclaimed any doctrines which
not held by the republican party. He will not be
able TO point out Ask HIN II ever in any way
affiliated politically with the democracy had any
thing 10 do with them politically, nearly or remotely.
He will not be able to point out any such action
dency Of any kind or degree What then, Is the mat
ter with mef Why was disked and denounced by
some members OF my own partyf Simply for this, |
insisted reasonable taxes competent officers honest
expenditures fair legislation and stealing, and the
democrats praised me for IL


PLUMBER


The last two things are my offence. did not sane
tion schemes OF public punder-such MS Printing
Ring for instance, but the cost OF public printing per
year cut down from $50 900 TO $50 O00 and
tngent funds from $50 600 TO 1900 and repeat the
democrats praised


Now, make this Offer II any man will contradict a
single statement OF fact have thus far made | will
prove HIM liar TO your satisfaction. The extent OF
my guilt, Tor permitting the democrats to praise me-
cannot precisely measure. Some men reason that
Aa
that will not quito do am sure, with you Why
should not the democrats praise met Low taxes
popular, even with democrats Competent officers
preferred 10 incompetent ones by South Carolina
democrats Honcst expenditures Of public moneys
acceptable to democrats even, and 'no stealing" al
most everywhere rather popular slogan, TO say
nothing about its being right | never asked their
praise II there had been anything TO ask OF them,
would have earnestly asked them praise me- be-
their praise would give pretext to the Washing
ton RePubtcdR and such sort OF people TO denounce
me- as they are doing now as at only for the Penten
| confess don't see how can help IL


Seriously, cir, II have told you the truth, ought
to be denounced by republicans as traltorf Ought
TO be considered by yon as n practical identification
with the democracy" because the taxpayers OF South
Carolina praise me for doing what every republican
who supported me IN the last campaign said would do
and asked the people 10 vote for me because | would
dof Such the condition Of affairs here the 10Th
day OF last December The democracy OF South Caro-
lima was in perfect collapse No State issues could have
gwen them life activity IL 10 doubtful whether
national issues would have had force enough to have





candidates in the coming Presidential campaign under
the circumstances then existing.


WRcTI0E MOSES AND wHTPPKR.


On the 10th Of December last the General Assembly,
under Influences which II is impossible to state
fully, elected y. Moses, Jr and W. J. Whipper as
judges OF tho Circuit Court OF this State the latter for
the circuit which embraces the city Of Charleston and
constitutes the most important circuit OF the State in
point OF population. wealth and business. Are you
aware who these arei Moses my predecessor
Governor Unless the universal belief among all classes
Of people In this State Is mistaken, he as Infamous
character any age disgraced and prostltused
public position. II there Is anybody IN Washington
who shall happen 10 deny this, will prove u your
abundant satisfaction. To mention nothing else out OF
the long roll OF his offences here Is specimen Dis
appointed In not being renominated for Governor he
entered into conspiracy with some OF the leaders
OF the democracy and independent republicans to elect
my opponent aud actually sold out the Commission
OF Elections Of whom be had the sole appointment
70 my opponents for $50 600, Of which SlS, 900 was
paid 70 him In cash, and the rest made contingent on
the election OF my opponent OF Whipper u can be
said that he 10 have lacked only opportunity 10
prove himself the equal OF Moses in infamy Ignorant
OF law, ignorant OF morals, gambler BY open prao-