The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-18
THE CUSTOMHOUSE WAR.
Collector Clark nd his Backers Censur-
ed by the Union League OF Columbia
CIark's Municipal Acts Considered Elk
traordinary and Suspicious.

The incidents connected with the Custom
house war, which resulted in Collector Clark
ousting DR.. Mackey, are, doubtless, still fresh
in the minds OF our readers, who have come
to the conclusion that the war was over, at
least, until the session Of Congress, when there
will be a fight over the confirmation by the
Senate; but not 80. The principals are now, it
is true, at peace, but the old Collector has q
friend in the Union League at Columbia, which,
through q report Of the Committee on the
State of the Union, speaks sentiments of hos
tility to the new Collector.
The committee was Of the opinion that Off
ces are necessary for the Radicals and their
party, and felt constrained to say emphatical-
" that the times demand that none but working
Republicans should be appointed to Office, no
matter how small that Office, whether in the
character OF principal or subordinate. To
strengthen the Republican party should be the
aim of every Republican leader and member Of
the party. We need all the power and patron
age, State and Federal, that can be obtained
to assist IN securing strength to the party"
The committee then turned their attention
to the men in Office, and this introduced them
'sto the unpleasant fact that men who have been
recently appointed to Federal Office continue
to employ and retain Democrats in subordi-
nate positions, Notwithstanding repeated re-
monstrances as to their course. While We
would not condemn the removal Of incompe-
tent ofice-holders, we would make sure that
Republicans only be appointed to fill the vacan-
cies OF either displaced Democrats or Republi-
cans.
Collector Clark, in the opinion of this COM
mittee, being ''reputed Democrat" makes
them think it very unjust that he should have
been made the successor OF the "friend and
counsellor of the Republican party" and they
cannot but express their 'regret at the removal
of Hon. A. G. Mackey, tried and trusted
leader Of the Republican party, from the posi-
ton of collector Of customs at the port of
Charleston. They cannot fail to rem member his
faithful services, enlisting all his acknowledged
eminent talents and abilities while president
of the Constitutional Convention. Nor have we
ever found in him anything but the true friend
and counsellor Of the Republican party. In
the removal Of such leader it became the SOL
emn duty and obligation Of those who recon-
meuded such measure to see to it that his
successor was at least Republican"
The course Of Mr.. Clark 10 connectionswith
the Charleston municipal election, was, in the
opinion Of the committee, extraordinary and
suspicious. and they, after a ''calm and dis
passionate view Of all the circumstances con-
nected with the extraordinary conduct OF Mr..
George W. Clark, in connection with the NUM-
cipal election of the City of Charleston, are
forced to say that bis conduct at that time is
net calculated to inspire the confidence we, as
Republicans, would be glad to have in one
placed in such high and exalted position, and
capable Of being made Of so much service to
the Republican cause. The interests OF the
cause should, we think, be consulted in prefer
ence to all friendly or personal considerations.
It 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."
The report OF the committee, concluding
with set of resolutions demonstrating against
the removal Of Dr. Mackey, and in round
about way censuring Collector Clark and his
hackers, Sawyer and Bowen, for their action in
removing the old collector.