The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-06
A Sad Comedy.

for mirth in the dlSSracelul cOnuucC anu uu-
seemly behavior now too common at the
meetings of OUR City Council From the
very first days of their term, Aldermen have
made themselves conspicuous by their row.
dyism and indecency The gravest accusa-
tions were banded about; one Alderman
branded another as liar third chal-
lenged the whole Council to general
scrimmage; charges OF corruption, pecu-
laton and nepotism were an every day
affair. And so the government OF the
CITY was carried on-each Alderman I'M
proving his opportunities and widening his
shoulders, like the civic streets, sat the ex-
'pense of the corporation the pistol,
already talked of, was actually brought to
light, and the walls Of the Council Chamber
were defaced and SCARED by bullets fired by
one infuriate Radical magnate at the head
of brother Alderman.
This crowning piece Of blackguardism led
to the meeting held on Thursday night.
During the meeting the Aldermen who had
before made themselves notorious broke
loose from all restraint. Alderman 7. j.
Mackey threatened ''to strip every mask
s'from the corrupt body" Of Alderman Ged-
dmgs, who is, we know, respectable con-
servatiye citizen. The same Alderman said
he was prepared to prove that several Alder
men had been 6rt6ed, and had Sacorm to con-
vict him and eXpel him for shooting at his
aldermanic nephew. Alderman Collins de-
clared that witness who was put on the
stand had sworn to "a damnable and afro
''cious le." Another Alderman retorted
that the moral character of Alderman Col
Inns was so low that one hundred and fifty
merchants of this city certified that she was
'unfit to hold an Office under the United
Estates Government" which does not, we
know, pay much attention to pure ethics in
selecting partisan officials. Collector Clark
witness of the ene-stung by what was
said of him, denounced Alderman 7. j.
Mackey as "a liar, who rejoined by saying
that Clark "was so well known in the COM
''munity as thief that it was not necessary
''to answer him." Then came the turn Of
Alderman Barrow, who WAS charged with
receiving o bribe to vote against the ac-
cused. Alderman Barrow jumped up say
ing, 81 am ready to prove before Almighty
''God that this charge against me is one Of
'the damndest lies ever uttered" The
Council were soon after abused by whole
sale, and styled, in the chaste language OF
Alderman T. ]. Mackey,- Villains, misera-
''ble thieves, robbers, polygamists, per-
'surers, forgers." The two Mackeys re-
signed, their designations were accepted,
and the Council adjourned. The audience,
gathered together to behold what was fun
for them, laughed and clapped their hands
and stamped with their feet as the Aldermen
lunged and thrust at each other. AS the din
became more deafening, the audience
chuckled and shouted the more AS the
Spartans babe their children witness the an
tics OF their drunken slaves TO wean them
from even leaning to intemperance, so
might the respectable citizens Of Charleston
send their boys to our Council Chamber, that
there might grow with their growth and
strengthen with their strength fixed hate
of the rottenness and beastliness OF South
Carolina Radicalism.
AS we have said, the conduct Of the City
Council fills US not even with grim pleas
ure, but with regret and alarm. We have
had one year of this Radical city govern
ment, and in that year the city spent $751;
900 more than it actually earned. In the
Mayor no man has confidence; the few Al
dermen who are decent and upright have
had no power to check the waste and the
proiligacy, the vituperation and abuse. And
what is our condition! A city Of forty thou
sand Inhabitants, with twenty millions OF
real estate, with debt of five millions
ruled by majority who combine all the
worst qualities OF the fool and the knave,
the dolt and the shrewd politician.
We do not speak of this as a political
question. These aldermanic rowdies are
judged by us and by the public, not as men,
bers of political party, but as men. And
we oppose them, and ever will oppose them,
not because they are Radicals but because
they are doing their best to destroy this city,
and with it every honest citizen.
There is already small knot OF respecta-
BILE men in Council. Their term OF office
does not expire for two years. And if we
would save the city and our people, we must
seize every opportunity, and whenever there
is vacancy, unite the people-white and
colored-in the common cause, and elect
men who will side with the industrious and
trustworthy citizen, and not with the miser-
able dupe, the maudlin fool, or the brazen
renegade adventurer.
The report which *e print this morning,
of the opening of the Abbeville Fair, shows
a striking improvement in the energy and
prosperity Of our people. Abbevlle leads
off in the good work Of industrial and agri-
cultural reform and progress, and makes
noble beginning. We regret that it was i'm
practicable for THE News to be represented
at the fair by one. Of the regular members of
its staff, but feel satisfied that no profess
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