The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-06-14
S. G.
Tuesday Morning, June IA, 1870.
Tho Reform, Movement---Its Causc---Iti
Chnractcr---Its Object---The Question
OF n Nomination.

We propose, this morning, review
and an analysis OF the movement for rel
form now on foot in this State. We
shall deal with the subject fairly and
soberly, and thus make our case before al
candid public. We hold that the move
ment for reform has its origin in the|
popular appreciation OF the corruptions,
frauds and misrule connected with the|
present regime. In the first place, thel
Chief Executive of the State has failedl
to discharge, with proper spirit and i'm
partiality, the duties of his high Office.
His financial self-aggrandizement has
been inconsistent with the high tone that
the Executive should illustrate. To in-|
vest largely in the bonds and stocks of
the State, when they could be bought
for q small amount on the dollar, 8ndi
then, by legislation Of his recommend-I
ing, to appreciate these securities, is con-
duct utterly OF variance with the true
ethics of Governor of State. If i'll
is claimed by the Governors partisans|
that public good has been done by thel
appreciation of the State securities fromI
twenty to thirty cents on the dollar toI
eighty or ninety, it would have beenl
we'll could they have added that this
was disinterested fnancicring on the
part of the Executive. We are awarel
that some latter.day moralists hold that!
Gov. Scott had rs much right as any
private broker to speculate on the secu.I
rites of the State. We are aware that
these same moralists contend that the|
Governor was only smart, and not cen
surable. But not so do we understand
it. Not so did people understand it for
merly in South Carolina-before official
honesty and tone we're at O discount. And
we are sure that every high-mindcd mani
will agree with US in the proposition, that
no officer of the State-be lie Treasurer,
ComptrollerGeneral, Governor, or any
other official-has any right to use his
official opportunities in order to make
money for self and friends out of public
securities. This is gross violation Of
official decorum, is q dangerous prece-
dent, and should be held and rebuked as
gross abuse of Office. And we charge
his Excellency with thus abusing and
lowering, and utilizing for self the Office
he holds, and we pace our allegations
upon the basis Of statements which, as q
journalist, we have received and do re-
gard as well founded. Again, Gov. Scott
has been entirely wanting in the elements
of impartiality as an Executive. He
seems to have forgotten that he is Co
vernon of the whole people, and, in play
ing the partisan and demagogue, has
sunk the impartial Chief Magistrate.
Looking to his appointments, it will be
found that, with few exceptions, they are
taken from the class of his partisans,
however inefficient, corrupt and igno-
rant. Now no reasonable man wants the
Governor OF South Carolina to be par
tial Executive. We would not have such
an officer white mans Governor or o
black mans Governor; but we would
have him the fair, true, high-toncd, i'm
partial Executive of the whole people,
and thus discharging his high functions,
to promote, by his administration and
influence, the harmony Of the State and
the welfare of all classes of the people.
But such q man GOV. Scott has not been !,
and we charge him with this deficiency.
We arraign him for his partisanship.
But this is not all. We hold Gov. Scott
responsible for an inaammatory role. In
time OF profound peace, when good
men were seeking to secure public har-
mony, Gov. Scott delivers himself of a
violent harangue in Washington, in
dulges in imperial talk, and proclaims
that he--the Governor of South Caro-
lina-deems The IPincAestey rifle lie Jesl
law. Is it strange-is it unreasonable
that good men have come to the conclu-
sion that reform is demanded in this
quarter? But look at the acts imputed to-
other State officers-look to the Sampson
matter-tO the T, ,on5 Gopo ;cc;opor e,,;r