The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-22
The Conservative, Members.

The Conservative. Members.
The Reform or Conservative members OF
the State Legislature are few in number, but
this very fact. during the session which be-
gins to-day, should bind them more closely
together, and cause them to be ready at all
times to make their voices heard in defence
I OF the material and political interests OF the
people. While we hope for the best, and
trust that the absence OF DeLarge,, Elliott.
and Rainey will do more good than the
presence of Whittemore and the increase IN
the number Of colored members will do
harm, we feel that there is reason to fear
that the legislation of this session will fall
into the usual-groove, and be illiberal and
partisan, if not Aagrantly corrupt. This,
however, is an additional reason why the
Conservatives in the Senate and the House,
should be unanimous in their action, bold in
their denunciation of wrong, and outspoken
in their demand that some heed be given to
the sixty thousand voters whom they only
represent. 1t will be uphill work, but they
can unquestionably render yeoman service
to the State if, keeping their skirts clean,
and avoiding dangerous alliances, they
watch closely their Radical opponents, and
oppose, through thick and thin, every meas
nre which is not calculated to redound to
the benefit OF all classes OF the people. In
this way they can restrain in Some degree.
the excuses of the Ring, while, as intelli-
gent and trustworthy men, their exposure OF
-jobbery and their denunciation of schemes
for wasting and misappropriating the pub
lie money should have some weight in shap-
ing the course of legislation, and will GER
tainly give confidence to their vast constitu-.
ency-the white citizens OF the State.
: One Of the first duties of the General AS.
sembly is the election of United States
Senator, and the, Conservative members will,
we presume, cast their votes for a South
-Carolinian-one whom the people know and
trust. A decent and.capable Radical, il one
can be found, is more valuable in South
Carolina than in Washington, and, if Radi-
cal is to be elected, we heartily hope that it
will be one whose malignity and venality
qualify him for being the mouthpiece OF
South Carolina Radicalism. We do not de-
sire that the Federal Capital should meet
with the fate OF the cities Of the plain, but,
il score of Senators were to be elected in
stead of one, we could find eligible Radical
candidates who would do the State no in
jury in Washington, who, while they re-
main here foster anilnosity;; encourage ne
potism, and squander the hard earnings of
the people. Ra'licasr-of this stamp we de-
sire to send anywhere-anywhere out OF the
State.
1t seems to us, however, that the Con-
servatve members cannot, even for ex-
pediency's sake, vote for an ultra Radical,
stepped in bitterness and party protligacy.
Their safest policy-failing, as they will, to,
elect worthy South Carolinian-is to re-
frain from voting. Under no circumstances
should they vote for an unworthy candidate.
It is better to allow the majority to do their
worst in selecting the most renomous OF
their crew. :asi .Eaa.F='-.
80 In the general affairs Of the session, the
Conservative members will, we are conf
dent Judge every proposition by its merits.
They are the expouents Of the Reform move
ment which knew no party distinctions, and
will advocate every proper measure without
regard to the political sympathies OF the
framer. The experience OF last session
shows that the majority will occasionally be
divided, and, when the conservatives can
not defeat an injurious bill, they may at
least, by voting with the more moderate
Radicals, strip it of some Objectionable
feature.
A great responsibility, then, rests upon
the band OF Conservative members in the
present Legislature, and, We doubt not, that
they will be found equal to every emergency
worthy guardians of al important public
trust.