The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-12-22
Retrsnchmeut and Reform.

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Retrenohment and Reform.
Among the arguments used by the Radical
orators and newspapers, in the recent political
leampaign, In favor Of continuing that party in
poHsr, none were more prominent than that re-
trenehRient aud reform could best be accom-
ptshed within the folds of the Radical party.
It was not denied that there were abuses, cor
ruptions and proaigacy in the administration OF
the State government during-the last two or OF,
three years. All this was freely admitted. But
all were prepared to bend their energies to the
work of bringing about reformation inside
their party lines, and as it was general thing
to put on this semblance of honesty, many
eredulous people were made to believethat the
rascals had flown away, and left only the better
portion of that party upon the soil of South
Carolina Indeed, this view of the situation
seemed to carry into the Radical fold some
Jealous converts, who purposed assisting in the
good work of emasculsting the bad features of
the previous administration. 1t was likewise
held that the Legislature was chiefly response
bic for the many and growing evils of which
the people complained, and that the arraign-
ment of the Chief Magistrate upon sundry
grounds fRas unjust and wrong. b.. l.. !.
Under these circumstance, it was naturally
expected that upon the re-assembling of the
Legislature, divers propositions would be made
to redeem the pledges made in this behalf du-
,ing the canvass. Gov. Scott set out with COM
mendable promptitude to perform his part of
the obligation upon the party he is supposed to
represent and his inaugural address and annual
message received the plaudits of his political
opponents. The leading members of the Leg
islature at once began the Introduction of reso-
lutions to investigate" any and everything pre-
sumed to have the faintest touch of corruption
in its management. No objection has been
openly made ta these inyes legations, and we be-
lieve that committees haze been raised to carry.
out the designs Of every such resolution. But
there has been singular delay in the prepara-
tion of these committees for the task assigned
them. Nearly all of them have power to send
for persons and papers, and yet we cannot learn
that any of them are actively at work in the
discharge of their duties. The Land Commits
sion, the State Constabulary, the State Treas
ury, the Financial Agent, the Blue Ridge Rail-
road, and perhaps other important trusts, are
to-day under the surveillance of investigating
commissions. But there is no outward evil
dence that any progress is being made to reach
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these several adjuncts of the State government.
1t does seem to an outsider that the delay is
significant, and that each and all of the afore-
said trusts might be undergoing peculiar ma
nipulation to make ready for whitewashing re-
ports! The anxiety to be placed upon "inves-
tigating" committees, and the unnecessary de-
lay in getting to work after they are appointed,
indicates pretty strongly that the present Radi-
cal majority in the Legislature is not one whit
less welded to filthy lucre and its unholy at
tainment than its immediate predecessor. The
process of black-mailing has its usual quota of
derotees, and we Are prepared to read, near the
end of the present session, the most complacent
assurances from these committees that "the
commonwealth has suffered no detriment" at
the hands of its honest and incoruptible guar
dians, including the Land Commissioner and
State Treasurer, to say nothing of its accom-
plished Financial Agentl
The Radicals have entire control of the Ex-
ecutive and Legislative Departments, and the
latter is now engaged in usurping the functions
and abrognting the powers of the judiciary.
Upon that party rests the responsibility Of cor.
recting evils and reforming abuses. But we
deem it an imperative duty to point out the in
consistency of those willing proselstes, and
their friendly apologists, who upheld the doc
trine that Retrenchment and Reform could
alone be effected within the ranks of the domi-
nant party. Many honest and well-meaning
citizens may have been deceived by this cum
ningly devised plan to join, the band of ineor-
ruptible patriots, ~ who now and always are
engaged in bleeding this State at every pore.
The future will not, in ourjudgment, strengthen
confidence in their high-sounding professions {!
One of the Many Evils
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