The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-01
THE WATCHMAN
rHE EFFECTS OF THE REFORM
MOVEMENT.


MOVEMENT.
At the incipiency of the late Reform
Movement in this State, and on to the
close of the canvass, three main points,
Herewith connected, and as springing
directly therefrom, were eliminated
through these columns, to Wit:
1. The inexpedieDcy Of State nomi-
nations, because Of the doubtful success
attendant.
2. Good to be experienced by break
ing down the barrier which a1issed in
the way of "good and true" men going
into official position. And
8. Measurable reform, resulting from
the very nature and pressure of the
issue made-involviDg an agi'atioo,
searching in its general bearings, and
in its exposition OF existing corruptiOns,
in their individuality.
Let US see how these points have been
borne out, in the few months that have
succeeded:
Upon the first, remark is unneces-
sary, since the experience mas in exact
ful6llment of the opinion expressed, e1-
cept that the failure was more complete.
L. is nov held and seen, that the
developments of the day are in striking
veri6catiou of the assumption of the
second point. The State Senate is now
regularly confirming appointments to
Office, made by the chief executive,
which come from the most trustworthy,
aud intelligent and respectable classes
of the State-men Of a grade and char
actcr commanding confidence with all
parties, and who, two years ago, or
previous to the notifications made aud
difficulties removed by the movement
in question, we're totally inaccessible
for this purpose-men who are repre-"
sented in character and ability BY HEMP
HILL, County Treasurer Of Chester,
and JOHN c. M1NoT, ESQ, Trial JUS
tice, of Charleston-men conservative
and moderate, but true as steel. In
some instances, the whole list of county
(appointed) ofices-(Ofices vitality inn
portan: to the we'll being ofthc State)-
are being filled up from these classes,
by the removal Of incompetent and un-
reliable men. Two years ago, or ante,
cedeut to the changes thus wrought,
appointments or elections could only be
made from the ranks Of the
Radical party, aud mainly from the ex-
treme and most corrupt elements Of that
party. Said Gov. SCOTT, a few days
since, remarking upon these points
This, sir, is the effect Of the reform
movement. You have put it in my
power to appoint good men to office.
Your people previously stood entirely
aloor from the State Government, and
appointments could, Of course, only be
made from those whose names we're pre-
seDted for the purpose.
This tendency Of events, under a
wise aud prudent course, on the part
of the better class of the people Of the
State, will gradully continue, until it
shall reach the highest and most i'm :
portant Offices of the State, aud corrup-
ton and ignorance shall give place to
virtue and intelligence.
TO the third point: the measurable
reform that was to come. In this direc-
ton, Gov. ScorT has clearly taken the
lead, and the better sense of the State
throughout so ack koowledses, and accords
its approval and support. And although
the Legislature is reeking with corrup-
ton with Rail Road aud other schem es,
to plunder and bankrupt the State and
oppress the people-the Republican
press itself is crying Justify against
such, and exposing it at every turn, and
the manipulatOrs Of many Of these
schemes have already found that cir
cumstances have chauged-that such
slaring sWindles and prostitution of the
Legislative machinery Of the State, can
no longer be "managed" successfully,
and they have either been abandoOed'
or decspitated in one house or the
other. The halls of the Two houses
daily ring with direct charges Of corrup-
tiou and fraud, from various members.
In truth, the whole body is more or less
engaged in elimination and recrimiua
ton. Two years ago (bcfore the work
of exposure iuaugurated BY the reform
mosemeDt) not only was the Republi-
CAD press silent upon the enorluities
which were being enacted, if not iu fact