The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-05-11
Cain for Reform.

Cain for Reform.
The Missionary Record on the rascalt,
efthe ring-Yhe doings Of the lana
commission denounced- Co,ruptio,
and fn'competency in city, County, ana
school msatters-a colored mans ,carn-
fng to the official robbers.
No one, who is not blinded by prcju-
dice, and carried away with partisan
feeling, can deny that there is need oil
reformation in our affairs of govern
ment, in some departments. We have
always been among those who have de-
sired an honest and just government
both in State and municipal affairs. We
know that in the Republican party VIC
have some Of the. most unscrupulous
demagogues, somo Of the most dis
honest of men: We have never been
so welded to party as to wink at oil
its sins, or to spare any of it's numerou.
sinners, when we have believed they
needed scoring at our hands. We have
marked out for ourselves path of hon
esty and just dealing with mankind,
aud We canot be turned from that path
by any personal or party interest
Whenever we have thought proper to
call in question the actions of Rcpubli-
cans, we have so done unhesitatingly,
and shall continue SO to do. We have
scrutiuized tho doings of certain officials
of the State, and Of the county, as we'll
as of the city, and we cannot sauctio n
certain transactions which have taken
place, to the detrimcnt of the peoples
good, and the prosperity of the county
and State.
We think that the manner in which
the Land Commission of this State has
been conducted has been more with q
view Of speculation by few individu.
ais than for the good Of the thousands
ofpoor people OF this State. Wc have
been among the earnest supporters of
the L.aud Commission for securing
homes to the pnor. In the discharge
of our legislative dnties, we urged this
measure as the best through which the
poor could speedily be placed beyond
want and dependence. The act Great
ing tho Commission We regard as a
success, and it would have proved such
had the mantle ofrcsponsibility fallen
upon the shoulders of ON honest WE'LL
wisher Of the poor. But, unfortunately
for the cause of suffering humanity, il
fell where tho springs had dried up
where there was no sympathy nor
interest save that OF peculation. Two
hundred thousand dollars of bonds
were issued, under the direction of the
Commission, which had all been ex-
pended before the meeting of the last
Legislature, and only $4,000 acres of
land bought, according to the statement
of the Commissioner. Last session,
resolutions were offered in the General
Assembly requesting him to report the
condition Of his Office and what had been
done-yct dt no time could report be
elected. Subsequently, change was
! made in tha. office; but, unlike any
other officer of government, Mr.. Leslie
has not yet turned over his books and
papers to his successor. No report has
been submitted to the Governor or
Advisory Board. No one seems strong
enough to bring Mr. Leslie to account
for his disregard of plain duty as q
State officer. Two hundred thousand
dollars of the peoples money has been
expended, and no one knows where,
how, to whom nor for what it has been
expended. Yet VIC have an Advisory
Board, composed of the Governor, SEQ.
rotary OF State, Treasurer, Comptrollcr
General and Attorney Gencral--all the
heads Of the State, and through whom
Mr.. Leslie has operatcd-and yet they
permit him to walk with impupity,
giving no account Of his official conduct
Do they not know that the people will
hold them strictly responsible for what.
ever may be wrong in this matter?
There are other facts in relation to
the Land Commission which are not the
most fattering in point of business
transactions which have occurred since
the new Commissioner has been ap-
pointed, but with Which he was not
connected, which do not reflect credit
upon those connected with it. The
public are not idle and careless obser-
vers Of these transactions, and when the
time comes, will ourcly vendor proper
vcrdiot in the case
In our county affairs there mover was
a moro reckless expenditure of public
funds. of no practical good to the county
than in Charleston county. We hnou
IF transactions uhich wM make any hon
est man blush to meniim-Me crpcnd,
tures of money .rrun9 from the tar pa.y
ers 'ohich may be choracteri.ca as Lyh-
,oay robbery. In Certain. transactions
in city affairs VIC forbcar to speak, no.
ping that the time is not fnr distant
when VIC shall have reformation, ever
in the present Council, which will re
fleet honor upon its name. The schoo
question is another which enters into
the vitality of the nations progress ant
prosperity, and yot thcro has not boon
dozen schools established in any o
tho parishes or districts outside of tn,
large cities and yet tho commissioner
are drawing their pay, and all othe
officers arc feeding at the pubiio crib