The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-08
The State ConstabuIary and the Phbiic
Veal. r H,

WeaI.
Among all the costly contrivapceI de.
signed by the Solons in Columbia topro-
mote the interest of the few at theiex-
pense OF the many-few combine ii so
eminent degree the elements of DIST,
uselessness and inefficiency-thel lartest
expenditure of means, and the smallest
economy OF results-the greatest inlfi.
ciency for good, and the largest poteacy
for evil-as that model bureau, the SAte
oonstabulary, with its headquarters Mt
the capital.
1st Consider for moment the it,m
OF cost. We have Chief constable, with
salary of $500 year, and dep,ty
c.onstables in every County, drawiig
three dollars for every day of nctual stt.
vice. And that these tours of pretendal
duty will be protracted beyond the eM-
gencles OF the occasion, and that tls
constables will make the degree of ther
'lmpecuuiosity," and not the demands
OF the public service, the measure Il
their labors. it requires neither the prI
science OF the seer or the experience OF
tho sage to determine. We have praci
tlcal illustration of this in the experienc,
or our District, for the past two weeks,
with portion Of this same State consta-
bulary. For that period some half-dozen
OF them have been harrassing whites and
tantaiizing blacks-"vexing the drowsy
ear OF might" with the sound of patter
ing hoofs, and Haunting their hand cuffs
and other insignia in ''the garish light
of day"-arresting this man and letting
that man escape-and at last ACCOMPLISH
ing q two weeks work of ''sowing the
wind aud reaping"-a rich harvest of
fees. $1,000 per annum-three dollars
per day with the incidentals! Truly we
pay dearly for tte expensive luxury of
being oppressed.
I'd. But how useless the whole ma.
chinery! How entirely uncalled for by
the exigencies of the public service!
Ihero was nothing in the condition of
the country to demand its establishments
and there has been no occasion for its
exercise since. When has there been.
or whcro has there been any armed re-
sistanco OF authority-any violation of
law which the ordinary ministers of jus-
tlce were not fully competent to reprcss?
The proof OF this is seen in the history
oil onr own District for the past six
months. Not II homicide-scnrcely a
breach of the peace to disturb the even
current OF onr law-rcSpecting obedience
until the advent of this troop of legal
lHed IncendiarieS. who toss hther aud
thithcr fire.brands of liscord, and seek
to lrrltate old wounds and intensity old
grndges
3d. How inefficient for good, how DO
tent Tor evil, Is this model State policel
TO be efficient they should be "vigilant.
active and brave" But does the State
police possess Il single one of these re-
Qulsites? Ii so, let their past deeds
speak 'trnmpet-tongued." What. re-
doubted outlaw or convicted felon have
they arrested? Was Tolbert "treed in a
swamp| They will scarcely have the
hnrdihood now to revamp that old story.
Does bravery consist in shooting around
the houses of lone widows? does activity
III the performances of duty comport
with the arrest of beardless bows. who
are innocent Of crime? does legal vipi-
lance find exercise in hand cutting n
harmless, inoffensive old man, and drag
Sing Him at the ropes end, under n ne
gro escort, to the county seat, miles
away from home? If so, then the State
are "vigilant, active and
l'rave'-tho pillars OF the State-as
Argus, with his hundred eyes, and
Briareus, with his hundred hands
Inefficient for good, but potent for
evll-such is the State constabulary-
and such do their acts prove them to be.
They are the nero tools of n party.
seeking neither the general veal nor
subscribing the ends of public Justice.
but sacrificing all to the advancement
OF narrow partisan purposes. For these
purposes they have been sent among lis
now, on the heels of the coming election.
Vommittees in Columbia pull tho wires
and move the puppets. The recent ar
rests have all political Significance
they are intended for political capital
controlling the impressionable, reviving
the tn! respondent, strengthening the timid.
Fit tools of such n party-is the State
conshbulatory-"Willing to wound, but
yet aiaid to strike. "-Ab6euiNe Press.
AT accent Sabbath School concert, in
suburban church, the ordinance of
bhptlsmwas administered. The clergy
man IN charge expressed qualification
that the occasion offered him so good an
opportunity to explain to the children
the natun of the service Rv ,y,r &c