The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-18
THE CUSroMHoUsE W.1R.
Collector Clark nd his Bnckcrs Ccnsur-
ed by tho Union League OF Columbin-
ClnrIt's Municipal Acts Considered lex
traordtnury and Suspicious.

The incidents connected with tho Custom
house war, which resulted in Collector Clark
oustins Dr. Mackey, arc, doubtless, still fresl,
in the minds OF our readers, who have como
to the conclusion that the war was over, at
least, until tho session Of Congress- when thore
will be fight over tho confirmation by the
Senate; but not 80. The principals are now, it
is truo, at pence, but tho old Collector has a
triond IN tho Union League ut Columbia, which,
through report of tho Committee on the
State of the Union, speaks sentiments of hos
tiity to the new Collector.
Tho committee was of tho opinion that Off
COS aro necessary for tho Radicals and their
party, and felt constrained to say emphatoal-
ly that the timos demand that mono but WORKING
Republicans should be appointed tn Office, no
mattor how small that Office, whothcr in the
character of principal or subordinate. To
strengthen tho Republican party should be tho
aim OF every Republican leader and momber of
the party. We neod all tho power and patron
ago. State and Federal, that can bo obtained
TO assist IN securing strength to the rarty."
Inc committee then turned thoir attention
to the men i'll ofico, and this introduced them
TO the unpleasant fact that mon who have been
recently appointed 10 Federal oflico continue
to employ and retain Democrats in subort,i-
nate positions, Notwithstanding repeated re-
monstrances rs to their course. While VIC
would not condemn the removal of incompe
tent ohicc-hodors, VIC would mako sure that
Republicans only bo appointed to fill the vacan-
ces OF either displaced Democrats or Republi-
cans.
Collector Clark in tho opinion of this COM
mittoe, being ''rcputed Democrat" makes
them think it very unjust that he should have
been made tho SUCCESSOR of tho "fricnd and
counsellor OF tho Re.ublican party" and tbey
cannot but express Lhrlr "ro.ro. at tho removal
OF Hon. A. G. Mncanv, q triod and trusted
leader of tho Rapu5!icaI party, fro II tho posi-.
ton OF collector OF customs at the port of
Charleston. They cannot fail to rem cmber his
faithful services, enllsiug all his acknowledged
eminont talents aud abilities while president
OF tho Constitutional Convention. Nor have VIC
ever found in him anything but the true friend
and counsellor Of the Republican party. In
the remova! OF such leader it became tho SOL
emn duty and obligation OF those who rocom-
mended such measure to see to it that his
successor was at Ioast Republican"
Tho course of Mr.. Clark in connection with
tho Charleston municipal election, was, in tho
opinion of tho committee, extraordinary and
suspicious. and they, after ''calm md dis
passionate view of all tho circumstances con-
nected with the extraordinary conduct of Mr..
George w. Clark, in connection with the NUM-
cipal election Of tho City of Charleston. arc
forced TO shy that his conduct at that time ia
not calculated to inspire the confidence we. ma
Republicans, would bo glad to have in ono
placed in such high and exalted position, and
capable of being made of SO IN uch service to
the Republican cause. Tho interests of the
cause should, we think, be consulted in prefer
enoe to all friendly or personal considerations.
1t is not, and cannot be, concealed or denied,
that the course Of Mr.. Clark has Justly laid him
open to the suspicion Of the Republican mass-
es as wanting faith in Republicanism.n
The report OF the committee, concluding
tho removal of DR.. Mackey, and in a round
about way censuriug Collector Clark and his
hackers, Sawyer and Bowen, for their action in
removing the old collector.