The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-05
IN INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR PILLS.
BURF.
TIE PARTY PROGRAMME NOT YET toRMED.

The PARTY PROGRAMME NOT YET FoRMED.
The Views OF the New Mayor on Pau
perism, Education, Public Offices, the
Fire Department. and the Public In
xtitutions.
One of the Editors Of The NEWS sought an
interview yesterday forenoon with Mayor Pills
bury, for the purpose of ascertaining, if rossi-
bic, what course was to be pursued by the new
administration in regard to city affairs, and
whether there vas any substantial foundation
for The sensational rumors which have been
circulated during the last two or three days.
Mr. Pillsbury answered freely, and with appa-
rent candor, the different questions put to him.
The substance Of these questions and the re-
plies OF. Mr.. Pillsbury are now given.
PAUPERIsM.
The attention Of Mr. Pillsbury was called to
what he had said in bis inaugural address in
regard to giving employment to all the poor
and distressed. He was reminded that already
hundreds Of colored people had been attracted
to Charleston by the prospect Of an idle life,
and that If it were known that the city authori-
ties would support, or give work to, or find
employment for, all persons who had nothing
to do, thousands would swarm into the city,
causing an expense to the taxpayers which
could not be borne.
Mr.. Pillsbury said that he knew it was
difficult question, and he had not yet formed
any definite plans. When he was distributing
rations for the Freedmen's Bureau he asked
the applicant whether he was willing to work.
II he said yes, he gave him rations and tried to
find him work. II he said no, he received no
rations. So.
1t Was then suggested that the applicants
might say they were willing to work If work
were found. But il the city had to support
them until that work could be found, it would
cause the very expense and embarrassment
winch were objected to. Mr.. PiIlsbury said
that he did not desire or intend to do anything
that would; encourage any class to be idle.
What he wanted was to give employment to all
who would work. This he thought might be
done by notifying planters and farmers that
they could obtain laborers here upon certain
terms, tho city seelng that the laborers were
properly paid and protected. Land might be
bought or leased by the city, and the laborers
employed thereon. He would, however, do
nothing in haste. and nothing that would em''
barrsss the. finances OF the city.
EDUCATION. '.''' '-'".:-
d: Mr. Pillsbusy was then asked what. he in
tended to do In regard to- compulsory educa-
hun. =-'' - =.
He said that he would have all the present
schools, kept full, and would try to encourage
the colored people to oend their children there.
When the State constitution was in full force
there would be poll tax for educational puI-
poses which would form the nucleus Of fund.
When now assessment OF tax.s was made, a
part might be appropriated TO school purposes.
He said emphstically that nothing would be
done at present. The tone of Mr.. Pillsbury's
remarks did not indicate whether he was in
favor of attemptingto mix the blacks and
whites In the public schools. - 'l-.
THE CITY OFFICERS.
The writer then said that 1t was generally
believed that all the present city officers would
be turned out neck and crop to make way for
the friends Of the new administration, il being
assumed that it would be tho object os the
party to give Office to as many Of its adherents
as possible.
Mr.. Pillsbury said in reply, that no sweeping
and. sudden change would be made. What
ever changes were made would be made grad
ually, 30 as not to interfere with the working
OF the municipal machinery. It was his de-
sire, he said, to put in no men who we're not
well qualified. In this connection he also said,
that he had no doubt Of the power Of Cou Gil
to elect officers in the place Of the present
incumbents, electe by the old Council.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The writer then said that it was reported
that q colored man would be made Chief Of the
Fire Department, and that such an act would
probably break up the whole department, and,
perhaps, cause the insurance agencies to de-
cline to take insurances in Charleston.
Mr.. Pillsbury said distinctly. that no colored
man would be put at the head OF the Fire De-
partment, because there was mot colored
man in the city at for the place. He said: "My
doctrine is, equal rights and equal fitness
He said also that he thought that the Fire De-
paftment was too large and would be- glad to
reduce the cost, If it could be done without i'm
pairing its efficiency. Il was an intricate sub.
ject and would receive his serious attention.
THE ORPHAN HOUSE.
: The writer asked whether it was true that
oolored woman would be made matron Of the
Orphan House. Mr.. .Pillsbury said that all
these rumors were without foundation. There
was not man in the city, he said, who knew
that he would be appointed to any municipal
Office. No man knew anything about 1t, for
nothing had been determined on.
ALL GLASSES TO BE CARED FOB.
e The writer reminded MIR. Pilsbury that, al
though he coull / be elected by colored votes,
be could not hope to conduct the city affairs
satisfactorily for the next two years unless he
was acting in harmony with the taxpayers and
property holders Of the city.
Mr.. PillsbHry said that he was aware OF that
fact, but that he saw no necessity for any an
tagonism Of interest He would endeayor so
to act that the property holders might be pro-
tected, and the non-property holders have, at
the same time, all the privileges 10 which they
were entitled. The two classes might move
side by side, for each depended on the other.
GENERAL POLICY.
In regard to the police, the markets, and