The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-02
CAIN FOR REFORM.
THE MISSIoNIRF RECORD ON THE
RASCALITIES OF THE RING.
THE DoISGS OF THE LAND COMMISSION
DENOUNCED.
Corruption and IncomPetency in City,
County, and School Matters.
A coLoRED MAN:S WARNING TO THE OFF,
CIAL ROBBERS
From the Missionary Record, April 80.

lcrOlu Tie hlSSlSuaTy htCOItl, April oV
No one who is not blinded by prejudice, and
carried away with partisan feeling, can deny
that there is need of reformation in our affairs
Of government. 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 knowthat in
the Republican party we have some OF the
most unscrupuleus- fQeS, sgDde Of the,
most dishonest OF mem esheEs geE been,
so welded to party as to w+ais>ss sihs,,
or to spare any Of its numerous slmfay when,
We have believed they needed scorihgtt our
hands. We have marked out for ourselves
path Of honesty and just dealing with man
kind, and we cannot be turned from that path
by any personal or party interests. Whenever
we have thought proper to call in question the
actions of Republicans, we have so done I'M
hesitatingly, and shall continue so to do. We
have scrutinized the doings of certain officials
Of the State and Of the county, as we'll as Of
the city, and we cannot sanction certain trans
actions which have taken place, to the detri-
ment 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 con-
Quoted, has been more with view Of specula-
tion by few individuals than for the good Of
the thousands Of poor people of this State. We
have been among the earnest supporters OF
the land commission for securing homes to
the poor. In the discharge Of our legislative
duties We urged this measure as the best
through which the poor could speedily be
placed beyond want and dependence. The act
creating the commission we regard as sue
cess, and would have proved such had the
mantle OF responsibility fallen upon the shOul.
ders of an honest well-wsher ofthe poor. But
unfortunately for the cause Of suffering hui
manity, it fell where the springs had dried up,
where there was no SYMPATHY nor interest,
S11A. ,l-Nt- l~..wxl xl..e,Y 81
and dollars Of bonds were Issued under the d.
rection of the commission. which have all been
expended before the meeting Of the last Legis
lature, and only forty-fve thousand acres Of
land bought, according to the statement
OF the commissioner. Last session resolu-
tions. were offered in the General AS
sembly requesting him to report the con-
dition Of his office. and what had been
done; yet at no time could report be ELECTED.
Subsequently change was made in that 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 1t has been ex-
pended. Yet we have an advisory board,
composed Of the Governor. Secretary Of State,
Treasurer, Comptroller-G General and Attorney
General-all the heads of the State, and
through whom Mr.. Leslie has operated, and
yet they permit him to walk with lmpunity,
giving no account Of his official conduct. Do
they not know that the people will hold them
strictly responsible for whatever may he wrong
in this matter?
There are other facts in relation to this land
commission which are not the most flatterlng
in point of buslness-transaction which have
occurred since the new commissioner has been
appointed, but with which he was not connect
ed, which do not reflect credit upon those who
are connected with it. The public are not idle
and careless observers of these transactions,
and when the time comes, will surely render
proper verdict in the case.
In our county affairs there never was q
more reckless expenditure of public funds, Of
no practical good to the county, than in
tohich toill make any honest man blush to
naention-the expenditures Of monies lorung
from the taxpayers, ,ohich may be characterized
as hightoay robbery. In certain transactions
In city affairs we forbear to speak, hoping
that the time is not far distant when we shall
have reformation, even In the present Coun-
Gil, which will reflect honor upon its name.
The school question is another which enters
into the vitality Of the nations progress and
prosperity; and yet there has not been dozen
schools established in any of the parishes
or districts ontside Of the large cities,
and yet the commissioners are draw
ing their tay, and all other officers are
feeding at the public crib, while the peo-
pie are bleeding at every pore. We say to
Republicans and to that party that unless they
themselves begin reform, and that speedily, the
people ,oiu reform the party by electing others
more competent and honest, who will carry out
the great principles of government namely.
the good Of all the people. We warn our OFF,
clals in State, county and city, that unless they
rise commensurate with the demands Of the
times and the wants Of the people. they toiH
be hurled from po,cer and their places filled
aoith better men, whether they be to the manor
born or of foreign birth. whether they be of
the Republican or the "CTTIZENs' PARTY"-so
that they are honest men, and will secure to
the people the blessings OF civil liberty and
human prosperity.
Hotel ArrIyuIc-anrfp an mud