The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-07
THE FATE OF CHARLESTON.
BUSINESS MANS VIEWS ON THE
COMING CITY ELECTION.
A Plan to Remove .the Contest From
the Political Arena.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

ClCSLl0h "AAt
will nerhaps lead to that free and wide public
discussion of The topics suggested, which is
the most fruitful of al sources OF public I'M
provement. Without expressing any censure
as to the past, or entertaining any prejudices,
we must all clearly perceive that some changes
in CITY officials ought 10 and doubtless will
be made at the coming election. The import
ance of Selling this opportunity 10 procure a
really good city government cannot be oyer-es-
timated. The best and most permanent inter-
ests of all the inhabitants Of the city are IN
volyedyaud it is the plain duty of every citizen
to make the greatest. personal sacrifices and
the most earnest exertions TO accomplish the
best possible result. 1t is not q question OF
abstract principles, Of taste or even OF feeling,
but it is a solid question of property, prospect
ty and happiness'to each and alfofu us and our
families, and should be met in a practical bu-
sines s.like manner.
If all personal ambition and private schemes
could be set aside, and every voter; without
distinction Of party, class or race, would vote
ONLY for men whom he knows and trusts, we
should have a better government. But this
cannot be expected, and the aext best thing Is
to concentrate upon capable and Trustworthy
men as many votes as possible. AS there are
undoubtedly in this and every community
more good citizens than bad ones, more per-
sons interested in the general prosperity than
in the political fortunes of any man or set OF
men, q majority could no doubt be got to unite
upon a really good ticket, if it were not for
marty organizations. When these .organiza-
tions exist, however, candidates are not
selected by them with reference to their tit
ness for office, but simply with reference
to their ability to obtain Office. An in
competent man, who can win, 3 a
better party candidate than q eomee-
tent man who is likely to lose, hence when
there is party contest it often happens that
the httest men on both sides are made to stand
back, and the voters, whose material interests
areat stake, must either lose their votes or
cast them for Inefficient men," 1t is true that
this is not always the case, but is it not likely
to be the case ic our x municipal election,
If that should be a party contest? If there is
any such danger, if there is any chance that
our city, already so impoverished, may be
subjected to the misrule Of incompetent or
dishonest men. nothing should be omitted
which can possibly contribute to avertlng such
dangers. If a party contest is full of peril In
this respect, land none can deny that it :s,)
then we must avoid a party contest ifpossioie.
But how?
The Republican party is the only political
party in this city Or State which is organized.
This party claims a majority in the city, and
makes out a strong case in support Of it; but
even If this claim is exaggerated, none can de-
ny that the party is very strong numerically.
1t controls the federal and other official patron
age; it has the prestige Of previous successes,
and If threatened with attack from without,
can, by an enforcement of party discipline,
through Union Leagues and otherwise, unite
its whole strength in a solid mass.
The voters outside Of this party are not in
any manner organized, their numbers are not
known, they have no leaders Of recognized an
thority; they have few objects in common, ex-
cept opposition TO the present administration,
and have no definite policy except to effect a
change. In this condition of things. does it
seem to be a very promising enterprise to peat
the drums for war and make a set attack upon
metropolitan party? Will not the very noise
of preparation strengthen that party and throw
the eontrolo of it into the hands OF lis most ex-
IRENE. and, to outsiders, most Objectionable
men (. wil not the apparent tutility Of the at
tempt deter many good and prudent citizens
from joining in 1t, and so'lncrease the OLSEN
sions and differences already unfortunately ex-
isting?
1t seems impossible, looking at the matter
In a cold, practical way as business men, to
escape the conviction that bad. as things are
now with us they would be rendered worse
by q party contest for the. municipal govern
ment. Is there no alternative Fortunately
for mInoritles, the strength Of political parties
lies in their internal harmony, and that de-
ponds upon the opposition they encounter
from without, so that when opposition ceases
or is no longer formidable, the dominant party
becomes the scene Of strife among its OWN
leaders. This law of politics is universal, and
the Republican party In this State and city
cannot escape its operation. Without political
opponents the party mlst divide, and tie ineV-
liable result of division will be . competition
among The sections for outside support. IT,,
when this competition arises hese, the out
siders are still as at present without leaders
or organization, their power will De frlttered
away, and their votes be either lest or cast
without an effective compensation in'the way
of administrative Improvement: nut il the
great mass of the metropolitan voters OF
TIL city were organized, not in opposition to
Republicanism, not in support OF anti-Repuoil-
can nominees, and not even in support OF tnelr
own nominees, selected wholly OF in part
from the Republicans, as was tried and failed
in the Reform canvass, but simply as a solid
voting power capable of being welded by 9
trusted committee, and engaged to combi9A
with any party or section of a party that car
offer the best candidates and the most sails
factory guarantees. the weight and influence
of such a body would be practically unlimited,
and the rule of the incompetent would depart
from US forever.
The difficulty in ordinary cases OF effecting
such an organization Is two:fold. First, in
finding suitable leaders, and, second, in keep
ing up the organization without the control Of
some patronage. But these difficulties ought
to be easily overcome in our case, because
....on no1;tio,l nrinninioc involved, and