The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-21
Now and Then.

1t is hoping against hope when we expect
any regard for the interests Of the Common
wealth on the part of the ignorant and ma
licious Radicals who practically control the
legislation OF the State. Before the elections
there were none so loud in their denuncia-
ton of extravaganza as those who now
squander the public money with headloDg
speed. They pledged themselves, as o
party, to the reduction of taxation and the
curtailment OF expenditures, declaring that
they would retain in Office no man who was
incompetent or corrupt. And the assevera-
tions of the Radical leaders did produce
some effect upon the public mind. The
Radicals were not successful merely because
they promised reform, but without their
promise ofbetter things their majority would
have been less than it is. They went into
office bound by public and private obligation
to q policy which should be liberal, econ omi-
cal and just; and what is the result?
Governor Scott has kept his word. He
has refused to be browbeaten by the inso-
lent negroes who strive to stir up dlssension
and to array the blacks against the whites.
He has dared TO tell the TRUTH although the
party whip is cracked over his head. And
We have good reason to believe that Cover
nor Scott sets his face steadily against any
act which savors OF extravaganza and fraud.
This, so for, is the record Of his second term
of office. How is it with the Radical majority
in the General Assembly?
They have wasted time and money in buf-
foonery and childish folly. They have ne
elected the interests of labor and Of educa-
tiop. They have shown promptness and en-
ergy-in raising the State tax from FIVE mills
to nine, aud in reviliDg and abusing the
white people Of the State. Investigation
committees are demanded, which will serve
no other purpose than to ill the pockets Of
their members. An impeachment trial is
hatched up, in order to prolong the session
and to crafty party spleen. From the ma
jority there is not heard q single word on
the side OF frugaliLy and fair dealing. They
look upon the State as fair game, and lose
No opportunity Of turning a speculative
penny. Fifteen-hundred dollar chandeliers,
eighteen dollar spittoons, Brussels carpets
and brocade curtains, adorn their legislative
chambers and committee rooms; and in the
meanwhile the people at large are poorer
and less able to bear the burden OF debt and
taxation than they were when the smoke
cured Up from the ruins which Sherman had
made. IL is carnival of waste. And, to
cap the climax, we are assured that one half
of the legislative appropriation of $l35,o0O
is improperly spent and gone-nobody
knows where. In no instance have the
Radical majority even spoken of keeping the
pledges made before the election. They are
iu power for two years, and apres nous le
dfluge! No wonder is it that the credit oi
the Slate suffers-that the financial agent
finds it difficult to borrow more money, end
that the bankers who hold the State bonds
as collaterals clamor for the repayment ol
their loans The prospectis gloomy enough
the rift in the cloud is hard to find
The only hope is in sustaining Governor
Scott in his opposition to waste and party
violence. There are indications already that
the conservative people will give him all the
moral and material support they can; and
without such support he certainly cannot
hold his ground. AS long as Governor Scott
acts, writes and speaks fairly, temperately
and honestly, he should be encouraged by
the appreciation, and fortified by. the we'll
done, of every respectable citizen. We are
more than pollticians-we are citizens ol
South Carolina, depending for our success
! upon the prosperity Of the State, ANY man,
whatever. his party, who works for South
| Carolina-who strives to check extraVar
gance, to expose fraud, and to repress parti'
san feeling-is, and must be, the friend oil
| all our people. Such man, we trust, is
Robert Kingston Scott.