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/ _?_. BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. | " ANDERSON, S. C, THURSDAY. MARCH 14, 1878. . -' VOL. XIiI-NO. 35. CARPET BAG SUEE. MORE; RADICAL TH1HTEEY. The Committee on Frauds MaTrea Another Beport, consisting qf Graphic Ulostra > tionil of the Ingenuity of Cnrpi't-Bng Vol i?cliin? In Devi-Ins Meann of Robbing the' I3tate Treasury. i.; "-?? Thj Committee on FraucU aade an other report to the Legislature on Satur? day, March 2nd. which is as follows: Tbe legislative' pay certificate was the - fonotain head ana nursery of mauy of 'the frauds, forgeries; aud perjuries expo ?^sed in this report. Through this source -Hieindst grave xnd flagrant violations of law were committed, whereby the State \vas. annually.robbed of amounts, ranging from two hundred thousand to one mil? lion of dollars,' including fraudulent ^printing certificates; which w^re.collocted and divided between, the officials?sena? tors, members of the houses and.political haogers-?u of the Administration. To perpetuate, the power and influence of the Republican party it was necessary to have a ready and unfailing 'reservoir of funds- No. simpler or easier way sug . geSted itself than the issuing of pay cer? tificates by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. * Thus it became not only possible but practica? bly to perpetrate the numerous rrauds in the public printing snd supplies to .which ' we have:'already referred. Indeed this, like the famous hydra, threw out its hun dred heads, encircling and poisoning every department of the government, and giving comfort and support to local . leaders. In its trail followed the low, despicable forgeries and perjuries neces? sary to effect the end proposed. It is not (jurprisiog that the poor and ignorant members.joi the General Araombly fell into these practices when they were con? ceived and .brought forth by such adroit swindlers as those who lea This im? mense fund produced and maintained** Bond Ring, a Printing Ring and this Legislating Ring, the most popular and .at the samo time most unscrupulous. It is evident from the testimony that such ( a source of revenue as this was indispen? sable to; silencti any complaint and. to pacify the fears of the timid and the greed of the avaricious, whilst the other great rings were in successful progress. MOSES AND PATTERSON. Among the many remarkable and fa? mous leaders in this enterprise, without, at all intending to disparage the claims of others, your committee must mention the names of F. J. Moses, who issned and se?d, and John J. Patterson; who became Toe'purchaser. These Swo" stand out" in x bold relief as twin stars shedd.ng a bale? ful ."light" .upon all ,who approached them.' The "evidence which we append wili^ inlly^ justify the conclusion which your committee has reached. The table snomitted-with this report shoTis, among other things, that in one session there was issued $1,168,255 in pay certificates, .^ero&fdollar of. which was a robbery, ex ?""eept about. tf.;p "hundred thonsand dpl-; lars, due the members of the Senate and House and regularly elected and appoint? ed attaches < of the General Assembly, The evidence of inora than oho witness shows that it' was a race- between the 'Bond Ring, composed of a limited num? ber, and" the General Assembly, ?s to who should receive the most of the mon ey raised _ by ' taxation and the sale of "fbonds. It was decided" that this greatest ' "good could be accomplished by distribu? ting the money to the. greatest number, and the members of the General Assem? bly, therefore, became the beneficiaries An unlimited number of certificates _ were issued on the written or verbal or " ders of the presiding offioors and of chairmen of standing or special commit? tee?. Clerk Woodruff says that "nearly every one who told a tale of distress from Kn-lCluxibm ov of suffering on account of their politics was given a pay certifi cate." In addition to this, ? :%^r\^<^srin\<SEST fund .swelled to-an .enormous amount, through tho system of furnishing liquors, wines, cigars, groceriet:, jewelry, and almost, ev? ery conceivable article under the head of ''Sundries," and large numbers of certifi? cates were' issued, ranging in amounts from $500 to $5,000 each. These were gratification certificates; this method was resorted to as the-best manner of har? monizing the-"friends," as the leaders were then called. At one session at least two hundred and fifty thousand dol? lars were issued in this way for Senate purposes, and yhen objection were made they were met by the reply that these are ?mal! matters, and the State does not suffer from them; that it w*s only a figbt between, tbe representatives of the people and the vultures of the ^Bond j ?ti-Ug. - THE INITIALS. * It appears from the evidance and' a . large number of certificates in tbe treas? urer's office that the clerk often trans? posed the initials of the names of the partv receiving these fraudulent certifi? cates. - Woodruff continues: "Tbe certificate drav. n to the order.oi X. P. Christopher* ; for ?2,?Q0, is one of this class, and was drawn for the purpose of paying tbe ex? penses of a committee-to Washington, in opposition to one sent by tbe Taxpayers' Convention." The taxpayers not only ' paid their ov u committee's expenses, but were made to pay-that of the thieves who plead before the the National Ad? ministration for more time and tbe pro? tection of bayonets to enable them to keep up the role of robbery of tbe peo . pie. Senator B. F. Whittemore was the spokesman and/ leading 'member of this committee. This information is com? ment enough: Woodruff adds that this certificate was drawn on the order of Lieutenant Governor Gleaves, who said Cardozo would take care of it. Tbe ini? tials TL. F. C." represent F. L. Cardozo. ? This certificate was collected by ex-Gov. K. K. Scott, and bears the ^following en? dorsement in his handwriting,: "Mr. Car? dozo promises, to pay this January 1st, 1875." CAPACIOUS COMMITTEEStEN. . Woodruff also says the certificate for I $2,500, payable to A. B. Jordan, was for | . James A. Rowley, chairman of the com? mittee on ways and means it. the House; another payable to , J. M. Foreman, amounting to $2,500, was for Gov. F. J. Moses, the initials iu each being merely transposed. Such certificates were usu? ally ordered after a meeting and consul? tation of the presiding officers with the State treasurer and chairmen of the com? mittee of ways aid means in tbe House und finance in tbe Senate. Thus it will be seen tbat tbe chairmen of the mo; t im* important ?committees joined in a con? spiracy wjth others to defraud the State. He further says that certificates paya? ble to T. C. And Jon represented Senator | T. C. Andrews; one to D. C. Higby rep? resented Senator C. D. Hayne. When the witness (Woodruff) was shown the following list he stated that the paper is j in the handwriting of Lieutenant-Gover nor Gleaves, and represents an order given to draw certificates for tbe senators, .The first column indicates the amount demanded by each senator, tho second column the amounts allowed by tbe' Lieuteuant-Govetnor. Certificates were drawn in accordance with these instruc? tions : BUNDBY / STEA LINGS. Amount Demanded. | Amount Collected. C. T. Audlon......-S500jSc3'r.T. C. Andrews..._$300 L. Crosby_500[8ea'r L. Cain.?. 300 A. F. Count-.?.. SOO'Sea'r P. A Clinton. 300 j C. H. Chlasom._500 Sea'r H. C. Corrin.300 Ed. Dillon. 500 S?n'r E. E. Dickson.300 D. & Higby.- COO Sen'r C. D. Hayne._ 300 C. 3. Hurrin_.. 500 Sce'r J. C. Hope_200 K. W. Jenkia.'.?OO Seu'rW. R. Jcrrey.200 E. ?V. Johns....JOO Scn'rW*. E. Johnston. 300 John Lcare........ WOj.Sen'r John Lse.200 M. Msston_....... SOOtSen'r Moses Martin_200 Cbarie? Siuuiou_.'SOOiScn'r C. Smith.?... 30 M. J. Sundeny._SOO'.Seu'r J. M. Smith._ 800 H. J. Whitecowb... S?OlSsn'r J. H. Wtiite._ 200 B. V? barton..._ S??.Seu'rB.K Whltt-more 300 . - Fraudulent certificates were thus issued -for fifteen seuators, mere fictitious names, in which, however, their initials are pre ~sed; are" clearly identiflcx?iJi?r. -Wood-1 raff, continuing, says that "he is satisfied: that J. C. Hope did not receive the one made out to order of G. J.Hurrin.".The treasurer's boots show that Senator W. P.. Jervey collecLed his, and that Got. Scott collected those drawn in the name of -D.Hp. Eigbey, 0. T. Andlon; and a few others of this lot Senator John Lee sohThis to Wm. Fine. {See his evidence.} The evidence of Messrs. Woodruff ana Lee proves that a legislative pay ccrti6 cite drawn payable to the order of C. L. Trankfort for #4,000, (the iriitiala of which are those of F. L. CardozO,) was is sued at the suggestion of Treasurer F. L. Cardozo, and was divided equally be? tween Cardozo, **Lieut. Gov. Gleaves, Speaker S. J. Lee, Josephus Woodruff, clerk of the Senate, and* A. T. Jones, clerk of the House.", Lee testifies that "he and Lieut. Gov. Gleaves received %:00 each in certificates of indebtedness of Republican Printing Company, from ?F. L. Cardozo at his (Cardozo'a) house, aad he told them that he had his own share," Woodruff testifies that "he re? ceipted to Cardozo for $2,400 in certifi? cates of indebtedness, and took the legis? lative pay certificates, leaving a balance ol* $800 each for Clerk Jones and him? self." The books of the treasurer show that the certiiicate was paid February 3, ^$7Sr~J*Tne''"b00k8' of" the Republican Printing Company show that on Fcbrua-. rjr^lST^'thij account of .Woodruff' was credited witli $800, and that of Jones for a like amount. Opposite the entries is written ''ote^-eertificate for $4,000." The credits also appear on the day-book and ledger in the handwriting of the book? keeper, Mr. Jackson.. Mr. Cardozo has been tried in this c-.se and was convicted by an impartial jury, a majority of whom were of his own race and party. When the witness (Woodruff) was shown a cer? tificate- purporting f.o bo for a claim paus? ed by the Legislature for $1,0X10, payable to the Republican Printing Company, he said "it was one of many issued in a batch amounting to $18,741.94, which wsro divided and shared between the. Company, State officials and Senators," Among this number we find one paid to Senator W. B. Nash. . ONE HUNDESD dollars a day. ? It also appears from the evidence that e:\ch member of the committee appoint? ee to annually examine the books of the treasurer and comptroller-general almost invariably. received a $600 certificate for work performed in six days, or-one hundred dollars per day. The evidence and certificates in the treasurer's office prove that many thousands of dollars in certificates were issued to defray the im? aginary expenses of the w'l ''HIQHJ OTjj-JOrNT COMMITTEE,'' for clerk?, experts, room rent, &c, not a dollar of which was an honest claim. We refer to the evidence of Gen. Dennis, wherein he says: "This committee, were for a while p?id-out of the'armed' force fund. They departed for. New York on the 9th of June, 1871. ' They called on the financial agent, Kimpton, and ;here met Attorney General Chamberlain. Af? ter consultation with them both, it was agreed that Kimpton should pay all ex? penses of the committee; that, in order to give Kimpton a little recreation, they, took a recess for one month. Hurley -wimt to Boston; Whittemore" to East Wobum, Mass.; Swails. to Elmira. N. Y., and he 'thinks Gardner went to Saratoga with Kimpton." Thus our representa? tives whiled away their hours at fashion? able resorts, planning and scheming to rob the people, who were compelled to pay their hills." The published reports show that Kimpton paid the committee m)re than $17,000. Gen. Dennis testifies .that only $12,501.32 of this amount was actually paid the committee, including incidental expenses, room rent and clerk hire; that the highest amount paid any mamber by Kimpton was $3,108 and the smallest $1,284. In addition to amounts p: id from the Armed Force- Fund and from Kimpton, your committee ?find that other large sums were paid to the several members of the committee, by legislative pay- certificates. ? Dennis, Jones and Woodruff testify that large accounts were made out and rendered against the State for alleged services on this committee, some of which are in the band writing fj? Senator B. F. Whittemore. By adding thev amounts paid out of \the Armed Force Fund, and by Kimpton, to that pufd ifl legislative pay certificates, we find that the members of this committee w ire paid for the lime actually employed from $20 to $60 each per day. Although there was no authority of law to justify these payments by the financial agent, tbey were evidently inspired and advised by Attorney General Chamberlain, him? self a member of the financial board. A margin of time was necessary to "cook" tbe books of the agency, and to make them ready for the inspection of this virtuous committee, all the more impor? tant, not to avoid exposure, but to de? prive the members of the opportunity and pretext for .blackmail. That the books of the financial agent were remod? elled to suit the emergency will appear in another portion of the report. It would have been the very height and depth of villainy on the part of these creatures to have paid for thinacquit and commissions, but goes beyond ex? pression when we know Inat every dollar ol" this expenditure was' included in Kimpton's account against the State, and balanced in the settlement made with him by Scott. Parker and Chamberlain as they left their offices in 1872. ' fraudulent certificates. We now present for your consideration the evidence of Gen. Dennis and Ex Governor Moses, in which it .is shown that fraudulent pay certificates, amount? ing to $5,000, were issued in the name of J. G. Gershon, and were divided between Speaker Moses and Lieu tenant-Governor 'Ransier. Dennis says: "The Speaker thought he otijjjht to have something, and made out a bill for $2,500, which, as chairman, I approved. When the cer? tiiicate was presented to Lieutenant-Gov. Ransier, President of the Senate, for his signature, he refused to sign it unless he (Ransier) could be paid anequal amount. I was sent for, an! went down, to the Slate House, and found Ransier and Moses in the Speaker's room. Moses said: 'Governor Pansier refuses to sign this certificate unless he can have one lor j a similar amount.' So it was agreed that < hi-, should have it. The first bill was de- J stroyed, and the following (also entirely fictitious) was made out to cover the two amounts for Speaker Moses and Liout. Gov. Ransier:" State of South Carolina, To James Greshon, Dr. For room rent, fees, &c., for the Joint Special Investigating Committee in New York, $5,000. Dennis further says: "That the certifi? cates were issued and divided between Moses and Ransier; that an additional compensation of $1,500 being allowed him as chairman, bills were made out conferring the amount and certificates issued and sigued by Ransier and Moses." This evidence is corroborated by Ex Governor Moses, Woodruff and Jones, who testify that the certificates issued in the name of J. C. Gershon were claims ta nee out of their own unrightei of the "Old High Joint," The Gershon certificates are in the vaults of the treas? urer's office, cancelled and paid. It also appears that a $5,000 certificate' was is? sued to Senator B. F. Whittemore for the furpose of purchasing the portraits of lincoln and Sumner for the Senate. Most of this amount has bcon paid him, but the portraits are not to be found, and it is presumed that Senator Whittemore pocketed them when preparing,for flight from the State. In reference to a passed claim certifi? cate, No. 14, for $2,300, payable to the Columbia Union-Herald, Mr.-Woodruff says: "It was one of $he 'mistakes,' and that he believes J. G. Thompson knew he had no right to the money when he collected it." Woodruff, continuing, says: "Certificates issued to J. N. Dob son for $642 and C. N. Smith for $642, as committee clerks, that no such persons served; if they had he would have known 5t" These certificates were? collected by L Associate Justice Wright, and bear the following endorsements: "Per O. N. Smith, for J. J. Wright," and "Per J. N. Dobpon, for J. J. Wright.4" judge weight," when summoned before the committee, testified as follows: "I know that at one time, several years ago, I lot two young men, who, as well as I remember, repre? sented themselves as attaches of the General Assembly, have' some money, about twenty-five dollars to one and fifty to,the other, and took as collateral secu? rity pay certificates from'each. -I'think this was during Parker's term of office. i do not know the name of parties nor have I ever seen them since. I made in ?uiry for them, but could not find them, am not positive about the handwriting of the endorsement upon these certifi? cates. My impression is that it is my signature on the back of the Dobson cer? tificate, and perhaps on the other, but I do not speak positively. I now ask leave to retract what I said in reference to the endorsement, since upon a more careful inspection:! could" not have written the endorsement, for the.English is too bad, the language is not mine." Your committee leave the matter with you to judge where this man obtained these certificates, and whether it is a probable story that yonng men who were strangers to him would give hin $1,284 worth of State paper for $75 without his ever hearing of them again. His testi? mony that he did not* know them and in the.next moment saying he made inquiry for them, and his confused statement in reference to the endorsement, together with the fact that he only objected to the "English," and could see nothing wrong in law or morals in the act of signing another man's name, place him in no en? viable light before the public. gratification certificates.? ?' Of the certificates presented Mr. Wood rufF designated more than $60,000 as "gratification' certificates," issued for the :State officials and senators, and named Senator? Owens Whittemore, Nash, Gail lard and others as recipients of portions of them. By reference to Woodruffs 'evidence it will be seen that afraudulent certificate was issued to Senator Robert Smalls for a large amount Woodruff testifies that certificates were issued, to various senators out of the Se nate contin? gent fund and divided between them. Senator Cain corroborates this statement' in his evidence, and implicates Senators B. F. Whittemore. Nash, Jervy, Gaillard, J. M. Smith", Dublin S. Walker, J. H. White and himself. Woodruff says: "Certificates were issued for 'supplies,' not only for necessary articles, but fre? quently as a bonus or gratific ation to sen? ator*." In examination of the vouchers, we fined that this was true and that im? mense sums were thus annually expen? ded. A. O. Jones, clerk of the House, from 1868 to 1876, says: "It was made his duty to attest the signature of the Speak? er, that he never questioned the right of the Speaker to order his warrant on the State treasurer; that the issue of-certfi cat es was enormous in number and amounts, and the pressure upon the pre? siding officers, by members of the Senate and House, to have certificates issued to their friends, political and otherwise, for sinecures and gratuities increased at every session. The issue ran to the I highest point at the session 1871-2, when j the orders on the State treasurer drawn by the Speaker of the House amounted to over a half .million. of .dollars, two thirds of which were for sinecures and gratuities. Among the papers of the -committee, of which they desire an ex? planation. I recognize the following"? and here he named five certificates, pur? porting to have been given to clerks and messengers, for $405 each, collected by Dr. J. L. Neagle, then comptroller general. He aays: "He knows no such Sarties, and believes them to begratuities." ones makes the same statement in re? gard to eleven others of a similar nature, calling for $486 70 each, collected by J" L. Watson, treasurer of York county. Sixty odd other certificates issued by the Speaker of the House, ranging in' amounts from $321 to 624 each, and ag? gregating $56,000, were presented to him for inspection, and he pronounced them all gratuities ,* knew of no such persons I as those named in the certificates, and J that no service was rendered for them. Your committee only presented to Jones a very few of tho large number of these certificates in their possession. By reference to his evidence hundreds of names of fictitious persons will be found in the body of certificates (and described by him as gratuities,) sixty of the cer? tificates referred to were collected by F. S. Jacobs, T. J. Coghlan, treasurer of Suinter County, J. B. Lowery and G. W. Waterman, the two last being brothers in-law of Governor R. K. Scott. The certificates collected by Waterman and J. B. Lowery, accordiug to the evidence, of F. J. Moses, were given to Governor Scott iu cancellatiou of a debt due him by Moses, and that he (Scott) consenting to this arraugment allowed Crews to turn over a sum of of $10,090 due Moses on a bribe promised him by Patterson on the Greenville and Columbia Railroad Con? solidation bill. the way it was done. Your committee cannot refraiu from presenting you a literal copy of some of the orders given by Speaker Moses, show? ing as they do the reckless and dishonest manner of conducting the affairs of State: My Dear Jones?Please make out for rnc and send by bearer the following cer? tificates. I wantvthem by ten o'clock. I will not ask for any more: Clerks? Wm. Nettles, Charle3 Jones.'Waring Mi kell, Stephen Wilcox. Messengers? Ephraim Siinms, Washington Gilbert, Jonas Gilmore, Sam'l Knox. Pages? Eddie Siinms, Tom Burton. Please make them all out from November 28th, 1871. Sincerely, F. J. M., Speaker. Again he writes: My Dear Occola?Please send me by bearer a certificate fbr $4,300 in favor of J. H. and M. L. Xinard for "sundries furnished," and one for $1,500 in favor of Hardy Solomon for "sundries furnished," and oblige, F. J. Moses, Jr., February 23, 1872. Speaker, ?c. , Again he writes : Dear Jones?Please fix'the within for our friend Hurley. Sincerely, ? Moses. j Hurley writes: Fra..k?These are the cusses* . Make an order to A. 0. Jones. T. H. Charles Reado, Messenger. John B. Turner, Clerk. Amos Barns, Clerk. David D. Cooper, Messenger. Andrew Smith, Messenger. Elias Woodrow, Clerk. Jones says the handwriting; on the above seems" to be that of Mr. Hurley. Dea< Oceola?Phase make me' out a certificate for my pet. Sincorely yours, F. J. M. We also find an order^vhich, Mr. Jones says, appears to be in the handwriting of Mr. Briggs, a member from York County, for the following: Wm. Riley, clerk of committee; R. Fiunegan, clerk; Giles Foxworth, messenger; Jonas Wilson, messenger. We especially refer yon to the testi? mony of Mr. R. Firinegan, a resident of Columbia, where he says that B. F. Briggs, whilst a member of the House, endeavored to induce him to endorse cer? tificates, which he refused to do. After? wards he insisted on the certificates being destroyed in his presence, and Briggs in? formed him that he had already de? stroyed them. After this he saw them published in a list (if claims brought be? fore the Senate, whereupon he wrote Clerk Woodruff a letter, which is at? tached to his evidence. In said letter he stated that be denounced tbe certificates as a fraud, as he had not rendered the State any service, again demanding that they be destroyed in his presence, and that hit; name should not bo used for the benefit of those who desired to steal. We also refer you to the letter of B. F. Briggs, annexed to the evidence address? ed to Senator White, in which be says, "the certificates were for Reuben Finne gan and not Robt. Finnegan; forbade White delivering tbe certificates, claim, ing that he had paid a valuable conside? ration for them. We only cite this as one of many hundreds of a like nature. We call attention to others of a simlar kind referred to in evidence of A. 0! Jones," especially that payable to W. H. Gardner, member from Suinter County; also" to a certificate collected by T. Hur-< ley, made payable to T. Harlingford, a fictitious name, the initials of which rep? resent T. Hurley. Jones, continuing, says: "The joint certficatcs exhibited amounting to $20, 425.50, and the House certificates amounting to $131,094.30, I have exam? ined, and in my opinion not one of the joint certificates would stand good upon close scrutiny. Of the House certi ficates, I-do not regard as valid any that were not issued to some knowii person. This would throw cut about thirty 'thousand dollars as invalid. ' Of those issued in tbe names of known persons fifty thou? sand dollars at least would not bear too much light." ?Sergeant Williams, of the House, in his evidence says, "out of one huntffed and fifty certificates issued to persons styled as clerks of the House, not one such person served, and every dollar paid on their certificates was a direct fraud upon tbe State." ? They called for amounts ranging from $300 to $642 each, aggregating $76,200. Williams says that "there were only eight porters employed," yet.we find that in one session alone cer? tificates were issued-to two hundred and thirty-five porters^ We gave this witness over seventy cer? tificates for inspection, made out in tbe name of persons styled porters, in refer? ence to which be testifies that.'Wort? of them served," adding that "the House only employeed about ten messengers." Notwithstanding this, we find that, du? ring one session, certificates were .issued to one hundred and forty, and at another for two hundred and twelve messengers. Williams testifies that "the House ac? tually employed eight laborers and from five to ten pages," yet we have certificates from the Treasurer's office showing that as many as 159 laborers and 124 pages were paid during one session. For sev? eral sessions certificates were issued for about 50 pages, many of whom^were children of the members.. We submitted to the inspection of the same witness t-renty-five certificates, drawn for the payment of supplies made under the head oi "Sundries," aggregating about $68,000. On a close examination he said that "the Slate received no consideration for them, no such persons ever performed any ser? vice or furnished' any supplies to the Si ate?I have examined a large number of certificate.'; drawn in my name, and pronounce nine out of ten fraudulent" PATIER80IT A>T> MOSES. From the testimony before us, we find that the largest transaction of this kind at any one time was between John J. Patterson, who never made two bites at a cherry, and Speaker F. J. Moses. The latter testifies as follows: "Sometime during the session of 1871-72, John J. Patterson came to me and proposed that if 1 would turn over to him blank pay certificates, he would have them filled up with fictitious names to the amount of $30,000, and if I would sign them as Speaker and have Jones attest them as clerk, he would pay me $10,000, he to keep the certificates. I accepted the Eroposition, delivered to him a batch of ank pay certificates, and he returned them to me filled out, I think, in the handwriting of F. S. Jacobs, cashier of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Com? pany, to the :iraount above stated." The evidence further shows that they were duly signed, aud that Patterson paid Moses in cash $7,000 <at one time and $3,000 at another.' Moses was recalled and says: "Certificates shown.me I recognize as some of those to which I have just allu? ded. The names are all fictitious, and I do not know :hat such persons ever ex? isted." The number, date, amount, &c, are as follows: No. Date. Amount. To whom Payable. R. Die 16,1871 ..81,537.47 Joseph Myor. C. Due. 20,1871... 843.19 Peter Emmlnger. 8. Dec. 18, 1671... 973.23 Jubn Sch?re. D. Dec. 10, 1871... 1,494.31 Joseph Richard*. G. Dec. 21, 1871... 1,962.50 Robert Matthews. II. Doc. 21, 1871... 1,726.50 P. HaKKCrt*. ?. Dec. 23, 1871... 2,234.76 Robert Kepplo. Q. Dec 23, 1871... 1,462.58 Samuel Barnes. -J. Dec. 15, 1871... 784.72 J. a. Hoffman. a Dee. 15,1871... 8U3.2G (Jeorgc Howull. X. May 7, 1871... 1,440.00 W. Tippet. 15. Jan. 15,1871... 1,440.33 George Single. IS everything lovely ? From the entries made iu the books of the Treasurer, and on the backs of these certificates, we find that they were paid to F. S. Jacobs. On examination of the individual ledger of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Company, it will appear that on or about the day the collection was made the amounts were placed to the credit of John J. Patterson. The follow itg letter is in the possession of the com? mittee: Dear Jones?I received enclosed, orders from Gen. Moses last evening. Please make out certificates immediately so I can forward thorn to him for his signa? ture, as he is in a hurry to get them. Is everything lovely this morning? Truly yours, F. S. Jacobs. The orders-referred to were for the ap? pointment of thirty clerks and messen? gers, aud accompanying them were thirty fictitious names. In tho evidence of Junes, under the head of legislative pay certificates, these orders appear ver? batim. Moses testifies a* follows concerning thesVf?xders: "Certain orders are nov. shown to mej'all ia-Jacoba' handwriting, which I identify as signed by me an Speaker. I distinctly recognize them an baring been givenby me in carrying out the contract referred to as between Pat? terson and myself." Jones corroborate/! Moses as to the handwriting of Jacobs, .the issuing of the certificates and their delivery to Jacobs. We refer in this con? nection to the evidence of John Williams. Mr. Tappan, a clerk in the office of Treas? urer Parker, examined the certificates paid to F. S. Jacobs and gave his opinion as follows: "The handwriting in the body of the certificates, as well as the en? dorsements on the backs, is that of Mr. Jacobs; although the writing is disguised, some of the endorsements are unquestion? ably made by Jacobs." The evidence shows that Btrangers often came to Columbia, some times from other., States, who would remain a day or two with their office-holding friends, receive & legislative pay certificate and leave. S. J. Lee (ex-Speaker) testifies that certificates were issued in payment for carriages and horses, and designates some such certificates in his evidence. S. J. Keith, a member from Darling? ton,, says in his evidence' before the com? mittee that Senator B. F. Whitteraore collected a number of fraudulent certifi? cates through the treasurer of that county. Your committee also have evidence that $25,000 and $30,000 worth of fraud? ulent certificates were issued and deliv? ered to Hardy Solomon, which he col? lected and/distributed to various State officers and members, through what was known as the "claims of the South Car? olina Bank and Trust Company," under which head you will find the evidence in reference to this most; infamous swindle. By way of comparison we refer to a tabular statement mr.rked Exhibit "J. O. H," in which it is shown that during one session certificates were issued to 465 committee clerks, ami to more than 400 other officers and attaches of the General Assembly, while at the present time there are only fifty employed. By act passed during special session of 1877 the num? ber is reduced to less than thirty. Through this nefarious practice legisla? tive expenses absorbed almost every dol? lar of the tax money.!, and made serious inroads on the proceeds of the sale* of bonds, leaving every department of the government without.a dollar. During "one session alone certificates were issued to the amount of $1,168,255, and more than $900,000 of this amount was receipted for on the books of the treasury during ihat fiscal jcar. Allow? ing $175,000 as the legitimate expenses, and deducting $102,960, being $660 per diem, and mileage for 156 members, there remains $72,040 for the payment of. the regularly appointed officers and attaches actually employed, and incidental ex? penses necessarily incurred. Deduct this from the amount actually issned and the result is the enormous sum of $993,255 robbed from the Stabe in one term for the avowed purpose of "uniting and harmon? izing the friends." The following are a few extracts from Mr. Woodruff's diary bearing on the matter of issuing pay certificates: "Wednesday, January 8, 1873. Car dozo informed me that Owens had drawn that $1,887 certificate. The rascal did not tell me that. Gave Owens a joint certificate-to collect. I expected to get half of that." "Thursday, January 9, 1873. Left a $675 certificate with McKinncy, which Cardozo promised to pay to-morrow. That will relieve mn to this extent. I will send Klinck ? Wickenberg & po's. draft for $485, and Johnston $151, mak? ing $646. The real, I will keep for loose change. Received a letter from Klinck, Wickenberg & Co. stating they had snipped goods to Mr. Johnston." "Wednesday, January 22,1873. Fig? ured up contingent expenses of Senate sjnee commencement of session. They amount to thus far about $25,000. That is pretty stiff. Gave Jamison a check for $100, which makes him $300. Received a letter from Leslie relative to his safe. Cannot do anything for him. Will prob? ably have to let Charles P. severely alone this time, he is out of office, and there? fore no good." "Tuesday, January 31, 1873. Owens wants me to make up more pay certifi? cates, but I don't want to do it." "Monday, February 10, 1873. Made out certificate for the President of $200. Told John Owens I would draw those he ordered as soon as possible." "Thursday, February 13, 1872. Car? dozo says Jones and myself will be re? sponsible and legally bound for any over is >ue of pay certificates. If so our print? ing appropriation would be exhausted .before actually passed. Luckily we have no bondsmen -for the wolves to go to. The liquor bills are very heavy, and I am puzzled what to do about them." "Tuesday, December 9,1873. Took or receipted for 22,400 from Cardozo to-day in the nature of a certificate from Frank? fort foi $4,000." "Friday, January 23, 1874. Got Car? dozo to cash a pay certificate for $500 foi postage stamps for senators." ungrateful colored men. "Saturday, January 24, 1874. It is strange, but my experience is that col? ored men are inclined to bs ungrateful to their best friends. But Bowley is not much of a specimen of a man, rather more of the ourang-outang." "Saturday, February. I, 1874. The pressure on Cleaves and self is immense. 1 hope he will resist like a man and re? fuse, to issue certificates for Smalls, Mc Intyre and the rest." "Friday, February 13,1874. Will get the certificates for Whittemore, and will ask the President to let me draw them. Do not know what Owens, as chairman of finance committee, will want." "Tuesday, March 3, 1874. Don't like Smalls' idea of renewing an old certifi? cate for $2,000 of last year for one of this year. Mclhtyre wants -the same thing. Both membem of committee to examine into sinking fund and desire to sink a lit? tle more in their pockets." "Tuesday, March 10, 1874. Received a threatening letter from Finnegan, who saya his name has been used in a certifi? cate without authority; that he knows all about it, and that Briggs got them for, hi in. I know nothing about it. The certificates were put in amongst the rest. I remember this Briggs making a reform speech, intended simply for effect, in his County of York. The reform question appears to be taxing hold of the politi? cians in the Legislature, and each will now try to outstrip the other. I suppose I will iiavc to pay Whittemorc's expenses this session. Will tell Jervcy that Presi? dent Glcaves declines to Bign bo mauy certificates. Cardozo wants a $1,400 cer? tificate. That is pretty rough. I think Cardozo can afford to let that alone; but I suppose it will have to be drawn." "Wednesday, March 11, 1874. Was unable to keep much memoranda this day in consequence of pressure upon me for certificates. At times I was puzzled to know what to do or think." "Friday, March 13, 1874. Do not know what to do for Whittemore. Will have to make out certificates by the bushel, I suppose." "Saturday, March 14,1874. The sen? ators appear determined to do something against Cleaves. It's all wrong. Even Sperry, from" the House, wants something, out of the contingent fund of the Senate. He will not get it. If such men come back next ycr.r there wHl be a terrible fight over the spoils." holcombe and dunn. "Sunday, March 15, 1874. Must try to Uike care of some senators. Want to do something for Holcoinbe and Dunn. Am sorry now that the claim bill did not pass, but as Symmers, Berry, Harvie and Allen and others have got their claims through, I trust we will notsee their long faces around the General Assembly again. Signed a number of pay certificates, and promised to do all that I could for each senator. All seem to be surprised about financial matters. Senator White should not complain, for he got the certificate for Bristow Davidson. Corwin appears easy. He is not a hard man by any means. What are the prospects for bus? iness? Cardozo seems to be willing to pay with no money in thu treasury ; en? tirely too willing, If there was any he would be unable to do anything." almost signet? the fITATE away. "Tuesday, March 17,1874. #Signed and gave out certificates to a great number to-day. Almost signed the State away. I did hope that Glenves and Lee would be able to stand the pressure. Its just awful." "Wednesday. Much 18,1874. Settled wfth Dunn and Holcombe satisfactorily to-day. Gave them a certificate of the Republican Printing Company, for which they can get certificates of indebtedness. Nash is mad at somebody. Can't help him, and I suppose he will continue marl. Gave a great many parties their certifi? cates to-day. I suppose they really amount to nothing." ''Tuesday, March 24, 1874. Called on Cardozo to-day, and gave him an order for $2,500 fon the Governor, also another order on the permanent fund of tbe reg? ular session printing. Trust these will close his mouth lor the balance of his term; be shall not have another red cent out of me." "Wednesday, May 27, 1874. Senator Whittemore called, and talked for some time, but it amounted to nothing. Met Senator Jones, and informed him of my impecuniosity; that I was unable to help him, '&c. He was disappointed, angry, and threatened to vote agaiust me next time for clerk of the Senate. Well,. I have done my best for all of them." "Wednesday, June 3, 1874. Propose to stand- by the frjends. Think such Democrats as Senator Holcombe my best friends. Trust Mr. Holcombe will be returned to the Senate." ? "Thursday, November 26,1874. Gave Patterson $1-045 in pay certificates, for which he gave mo a receipt for one year*3 rent of his house. Promised to call and see him at 9^ o'clock to-morrow." "Friday. January 15, 1875. Wrote, a letter to Gen. John A. Wagcne^ relative to charter of Carolina Mutual Insurance Company. Will get ,it through for him and not cost the Gsneral a dollar. Sent certificates to President Glcaves to sign. Got them signed. Will send them also to Gaillard. Must try to gct^something out of them to nay my account. Re? ceived check from Cardozo for $1,250, which I turned over to Jackson to deposit for office. Could, do nothing with my contingents. Got all contingent certifi? cates signed by the President, and Gail? lard^ Gleaves and Cardozo came near having a serious quarrel. Crews and Owens arc on the war path. Things look squally." the case asainst smalls. "Friday, February 5,1875. The mem? bers of the committee on contingent ac? counts think GailL-.rd did not tote fair." "Thursday, April 1, 1875. Arrived in Columbia this morning. Eiter told me a fuss had been mad: about Smalls' claim, that Nash was blowing about it, and others. The claim has been made out for $2,250, and sold to Gen. Gardner for $900. He agreed lo take $1,400 in cer tificates-for it. Gave him $1,000 certifi? cate issued for contingent account and a $400 certificate issued to myself. Can? celled the certificate for $2,000, and is? sued one to Smalls for $250. 'Elliott claimed $5,000 for his services; Jones kicked and agreed on $2,500. I thought that a big sum, but Elliott got mad and said the wholec thing could go. Elliott said he could get; tho Governor to sign the tax bill, and t'iat he would do it to? morrow." i\ A joint certificate for passed claim for $2,250, of which only $250 had been passed, was issued to Robert Smalls and disposed of by himself. Smalls was ar? rested, but Woodruff took up the-certifi? cate from the purchaser, ana Smalls was released. Nevertheless, Smalls was sub? sequently paid the $2,000, as well as the $250. "Monday, May 10, 1875. Cardozo agreed to acknowledge $1,000 passed claim printing certificates and carry | them until the South Carolina Railroad paid its taxes. Gave Willie one of $500 and memorandum relative" to what I had loaned Cardozo. The latter made out it was a present, so Pbad to promise to send $500 claim from Charleston." "Thursday, May 20, 1875. Returned from Florida. Received a dispatch from Jones asking m:; to come to Columbia immediately. Heard that Smalls had been arrested and given bail for his ap? pearance at Court in October." "Monday, June 7, 1875. Saw Patter? son, who wanted me to cash his rent cer? tificates. Declined to do it out of the printing fund. Am satisfied that Cardo? zo has beaten roe out of $1,250, and that Minton has made a mistake in his entries, if he'put that $1,000 passed claim certifi? cate to the debt of the printing fund." "Friday, June 13, 1875. Read a decis? ion in Tweed's caw: in New York Herald; must watch these proceedings, as they may have some slight bearing in South Carolina proceedings." thompson of hie union-herald. "February 4,1376. Gave Jim Thomp? son a certificate for Big Bonanza, amount? ing to $3,755. Ga/e it to get his assis? tance to help through the claims I held and registered with the Bonanza Com- j mission." The annexed table will exhibit the ex? penditures on accouu-, of ^'Legislative Eipenses" for the several sessions of 1870-71,1871-72,1872-73,1873-74, under Republicon rule, as contrasted with the like expenditures, session 1S7C and 1877, under Democratic rule. Not a word of comment is necessary beyond the state- j ment, under the Radical government this amount of public expense, exclusive of printing, averaged tbe enormous sum of $585,365.29 annually, whilst under the administration of Governor Hampton the figures, under greatly adverse circum? stances, reached only the sum of $77,119, inclusive of printing. It should be ob? served that these fraudulent expenditures were effected by resort to all manner of devices, other than regular m6thod of appropriations. I n the sessions from 1870-71 to 1873-7"), inclusive, the whole amount of appropriations for these pur? poses is $1,085, less the printing; whilst the actual expenditures reached $2,841, 461.16. All of which is respectfully submitted. John R. Cjchran, Chairman/ Henry A. Meetze, On part of Senate. S. Dibble, / Gerhard M?ller, J. G. Blce, on part of House. ALL ft AIL! TO A FREE PEOPLE! AN INVOCATION OF THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE, HARMONY AND PEACE. The Annual Oration Delivered Before the Washington Artillery of Ch&rloitton on February 23, 1878, by General Surauel McGowan, of Abbeville, S. C. "I am now to address a free people." These were the opening words of Grattan when, in 1782, he moved the Bill of Rights in the Irish Parliament. His idolized country had heen dependent for ages?harassed by strangers and op? pressed by extortion and misgovernment, until the story of her woes had excited the pity of mankind and all nations and in every clime?when the patriot states? men, with a haart full of love for his country and of gratitude for the good omens in America, where* the struggle for liberty was theu approaching its glo? rious termination, arose in his place and proposed a Declaration of Independence. He saw that the measure was full?that the time had come; and feeling within him all the enthusiasm of the patriot, mingled with the inspiration of the prophet, he proclaimed in advance the assured triumph of liberty s.nd home rule. Such occasions arise at long, intervals in the history of the world. Nearly at the end of a century, in the distant coun? try from which Grattan drew his inspira? tion?after an exhausting civil war of nearly five years, supplemented by un? paralleled losses and a decade of social and political chaos?we arc happy in the consciousness that we can, in the same spirit of grateful exultation iepeat the declaration of the great Irish orator that we are "a free people." There are events in the history of the world which, from the interest attaching to them, or from the magnitude of the con? sequences which flow from them, mark the eras of chronology, and stand out as landmarks along the course of time. Sometimes those events are of such a character as not only to mark as a beacon or a light-house, but to give direction to the current of events. No pever of in? tellect can comprehend what would now have been the condition of the world if the printing press had never bjien inven? ted or the Continent of America discov? ered. Some one has written an interest? ing book, entitled "The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World, of which a contrary event would have essentially varied the drama of the. world in all its subsequent, scenes." Among those named are Mara? thon, Arbela, Hastings, and Saratoga.. It is no doubt true that those famous battles, in connection with the cause: that pro? duced them, had much influence upon the affairs of the world; but it is believed that victorious battles?the development of bravery, physical force, and skill? have not had and do not have as much influence in changing the face of history, as the appearance, .upon the slage of ac? tion at certain epochs, of great men, seemingly produced in the "ullncss of time for the accomplishment of great purposes. The battles indicated are among the consequences of the appear? ance of those great makers of history. The incident must always be inferior to the principal. We malst not take the elfcct for the cause. Miltindea made the battle of'Marathon, Alexander the Great that of Arbela, William the Conqueror that of Hastings, and the evmtful sur? render of Burgoyne at Saratoga was brought about by George Washington. GEORGE WASHINGTON. * This is the Twenty-second o" February, and we are here to commemorate the birth of Washington, which occurred one hundred and forty-six years :igo?a day which should be ever memorable, and in the calendar of this country diet fastimmua, j for on that day was born a man whose J virtues and heroic acts beyond all doubt achieved the independence of these Uni? ted States, changed the hisiory of the North American Continent, and had, and still hav , an influence for good to the remotest bounds of the earth. What a theme! How full of proud reminiscen? ces, of material "or reflection, and of cause for admiration, gratitude and love, and'all the generous sentiments! How suggestive it is of thoughts about the great events in our history that have since taken place, our present condition and future hopes and prospects. The history of Washington is in fact the history of the Revolution. No re? flecting man can read the story of the unequal contest with the mother country, carried on by thirteen colonies, without adequate means of forces, separate from each other, with independent govern- j ments, and afflicted by local prejudices, the rivalries of army officers, the cabal of Conway, the treason of Arnold, and the poverty, distress and want of disci? pline in the patriot armies, without being perfectly satisfied that the struggle would have ended in misfortune out for the great leader of the Colonial armies," who in every oulamity presented jn his own person an unfailing rallying point? whose wisdom, patriotic moderation and firmness allayed the troubled waters and brought the great undertaking through to its triumphant termination. Speaking generally it is no common-place glorifi? cation?it is no false adulation, but it is indeed the very truth, chat George Washington was the saviour of his coun? try. Every intelligent people in Bvery age of .the world has honored itii early sages and heroes, and endeavored to perpetu? ate the memory of their deeds. The ancients deified them. The Athenians built a temple to Theseus, and the Ro? mans placed Romulus and Remus in the Pantheon. The moderns give expression to the same desire by "storied urn and animated bust," by bonfires and illumi? nations,"* anniversaries and commemora? tions. It is a just and gerterous senti? ment, springing from admiration, love and reverence; and in those who are the beneficiaries, it is but the prompting of common gratitude for character estab? lished and benefits received in the fruits of their labois. But such commemorations havearmuch greater importance. They are not only creditable to the hearts of those who join in them, but they are in the highest de? gree useful.. It is important to keep alive the memory of great virtues and achieve? ments with a view to their leproduction in the living present; to stir the fires of patriotic ambition, and to induce an em? ulation which will shape character. It is difficult to estimate the effect upon a people's character of the example ol their founders and heroes. The character of a people naturally assimilate* lo the object j of tueir admiration. '"ThinI on Buddha and you become Buddha." It has been said, "Show me the songs of a people and I will tell you their charactci. I would rather say, show me the heroes and ex? emplars of a people and I will tell you what they arc. The valiant King Henry had a wise instinct when Li* words, like the blast of a trumpet, stirred the hearts of the soldiers of Agincourt "Then shall our names Familiar in their mouths :ta household words Henry, the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Xulbvt, Salisbury and Glou? cester, Be in their flowing cups fatshly remem? bered.'' I do not propose on this occasion to attempt anything like a history of Wash? ington. That can be read in the sweet pages of Irring, in other histories, or in the records of the time. Every Ameri? can knows or should know it by heart. If time permitted, it would t)s a pleasant task to reproduce the romantic story of his early adventures on the frontier with . the French and Indians; from his youth, when the Seven Years' War was begun by the death of Jumonville at the hands of a party under hi* command, until, after the disasters of the Big Meadows and Braddock's defeat, he saw Fort Du q?esne razed to its foundations and upon its bloody site another erected bearing the name of the illustrious Pitt?which has since grown into the flourishing city of Pittsburgh It would also have been a delightful recreation to sketch some of the principal incidents and battles of the great revolution frbm the time when, on 3rd of July, 1776, he wheeled his horse at tbe Old Elm, on Boston Common, and dre.Y his sword as the Commander-in chief of the patriot armies of the colo? nies until he surrendered" that sword to the Congress at Annapolis and retired to the grateful shades of Mount Vernoo, and from that secluded retreat'heard, with modest surprise, the first faint shojts of that fame which has since filled tbe world. But time does not per? mit. The subject is too vast for this oc? casion. ' Neither shall I attempt to analyze the character of Washington; That has often been done by those much more competent to the task thau the humble nerton who stands before ? you to-day. Characters which are imperfect, disjoin? ted or unequal, and for that very reason remarkable for striking points and ec? centricities, are easily sketched and made to stand out unmistakably upon the liv? ing canvas. But the task is not so easy where there is no imperfection, no irreg? ularity,* no conflict of contradictions, but where all the qualities of head and heart are so well blended and in such perfect unison as to make one grand symmetrical whole. This very simplicity and com? pleteness?this perfect equipoise which with the vulgar and superficial might pass for mediocrity?did in fact consti? tute the true greatness of Washington, and gave him that graceful dignity and power of command which made him the Eeer of any man that ever lived. He ad strong passions, but no prejudices. He was popular, but he scorned the character of a demagogue. He was not hasty in counsel, but was firm and un? wavering in action. He was not extreme in his views, but moderate, considerate and essentially conservative. He was a Eatriot, tried in the furnace seven rimes eated. He loved his country ardently, but it was tbe whole country; and much of his life was spent during the war and afterwards in soothing local, party and sectional prejudices and animosities. It would be vain.to attempt a panegyric npon Washington; it would be- like the wasteful and ridiculous excess of gilding" refined gold or painting the lily. As? suredly the measure of his glory is full. I shall not venture upon the subject, hut with deference and pride adopt .the splendid and discriminating eulogium passed upon him by a distinguished statesman of that country against which he successfully directed the great work of his life. With as much generosity as truth and eloquence, Lord John Russell says: "George Washington, without tbe genius of Julius Caesar or Napoleon Bo neprrte, has a far purer fame, as his am? bition was of a higher and holier nature. InsWacPbf seeking to raise his own name or seize supreme power, he devoted his whole talents, military and civil, to the establishment of the independence and the perpetuity of the liberty of his own country. In modern history no man has done such great things without the soil of selfishness, or the stain of a grovelling ambition. Casar, Cromwell. Napoleon, attained a higher elevation, out the love of dominion was the spur that drove them on. John Hampden, William Russell, Algernon Sydney, may hate had motives as pure and an ambition as sustained; but they fell. To George Washington alone, in modern times, hau it been given to accomplish a wonderful revolution, and yet to remain to all future times the theme of a people's gratitude and an ex? ample of virtuous ana benoficent.power.'J , Such and so great was our own Wash? ington, who vouchsafed to us the appoin? ted time, fulfilled his mission as the lib? erator of his country; and, that accom? plished, in the last month of the last year of the expiring eighteenth century, which bis life and achievements Lid made mem? orable, quietly sank to rest in the hosom of his liberated country, with the appro? priate and eloquent, though perhaps un? conscious, comment on his own career upon his dying lips, a id expressed in his .last words, "It is well." THE CONTEST BETWEEN THE STATES. This great American festival furnishes a gcod halting place in our career?a sta? tion, as it were, for rest and reflection. It is an elevated standpoint from which we can survey the'past and learn lessons of wisdom, consider the present with all its duties and responsibilities, and consult the oracles, cast the horoscope, and-as far as it is permitted, read the stars about our future destiny. In taking a retrospect, the first matter of importance in the recent past which irresistibly arrests our attention, is the great struggle between -the States with Its consequences. We cannot fail to be im? pressed in contemplating a conflict in which we were deeply involved, which convulsed the Continent, and will be re? markable in all times for its severity, for the qualities it developed, and for its mo? mentous consequences. I know of no one in history which caused greater sac? rifices of blood' and treasure, inflicted more toil and 'suffering, or exhibited more devotion to country, more fortitude, endurance and dazzling heroism. . It was a conflict between the countrymen of Washington. It is a re:ent event, its memories yet green and tender, and I approach its consideration solemnly, cer? tainly not in the spirit of the partisan,, nor with a desire to stimulate or perpetu? ate animosities; for that would be to abuse this holiday, which belongs to the whole country and is dedicated to good feeling. ? This day at least should be free from tbe bitterness of parly spirit, which in these latter times, like harpies of Vir? gil, devours or befouls ana besmears eveiything it touches. My object is pre? cise iy the contrary?to iuvoke in the name of Washington on this hn natal day tho spirit of justice, harmony and peace. THE CAUSES. ? In all governments where the people rule, and tbe places of hohor, trust and emolument are elective, there will be parties; and the violence with which party contests arc waged will depend largely upon tho nature and importance of tho issues, at stake. From the forma? tion of our government?even in the days of Washington?different views were taken in different parts of the country as to the proper construction of the Consti? tution, and of the rights of the States. This difference was intensified at tho South by the fact that the peculiar insti tutiofr of African slavery existed here, and not in other sections. It was here without any agency of ours. It had de? scended to us, and had become so dove? tailed and interwoven with the very fabric of our society that it-could not be abolished without entailing enormous losses, and producing social and political chaos. This conflict of opinion, of vital interest to the South, fanned by constant? ly recurring questions, waxed warmer and warmer, until the wisest, most far seeing, and most patriotic became con? vinced that it was irrepressible. To es? cape from an agitation which was increas? ing, and to secure their internal peace which was imperilled, the Southern States desired to establish a government for themselves. They did not proposo.to in? terfere with their former associates or do (Continued on Fourth Page.)