The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-03-19
The sou,h,rn v.I,ures.


Sun h,,sibeen u the capttarof South Cs5
rolina, and while there has. Heen and
heard some things which he haS put inl
print, and which will look strange toonta
eiders.. We make few e1tra6ta from,
his letter:
OF the K. K. KS he writes "a fol-
lows:
COLUMBIA, s. c., March 8, 1871.
The disturbances which have existed
in this State since the election of last
fall are now assuming proportions some!>
what alarming to the Scott dynasty and
the horde Of vultures which infest the
State capital. There are thousands at
the North, aud indeed very many at the
South, who have regarded the organiza-
tion known as the Ku Klux Khan as
fantasy of the negro brain, and having
no existence in fact, but that belief can
exist no longer. The South Carolina
Ku Klux is an undeniable fact. He ex-
lists right in our midst, and there are in
dications that he intends throwing of
identity, and coming out boldly to throw
over the present regime, and endeavor
to save his State from the talons of the
vultures that are sucking her life's blood.
There are many hera who think they gee
the handwriting on the wall, and are
preparing for q crash. Principal among
these is Governor Robert K. Scott. No
man could have changed more within the
past six months than has the Governor
in his administration of his duties.
He next pays his attention to the Le-
gislature, upon which delectable body
he comments as follows:
The Legislature of South Carolina ad-
journed sine die on Wednesday, and
every respectable citizen in Columbia,
from Governor Scott down, breathes
much freer to-day. It is the opinion of
everybody here. both Republican and
Democratic for that matter, that no
moro disgraceful body than the South
Carolina House of Representatives. ever
sat in legislative capacity. The Senate
seems to have been surrounded with u
little purer atmosphere. which may seem
singular, considering the fact that the
notorious Whittemore is the controlling
spirit. Whittemore, however, is gaining
quite reputation for honesty. His
thieves. is remarkably keen. He will
pick up House bill, and tell in an in
stant just where the job is and how to
defeat it, and his efforts in detecting
these robberies are unremitting. It is
said, however, that the virtuous White
more must not attempt to lay claim to
any very great honesty because of this.
On the contrary, he is watohful of others
simply because he is watched 30 closely
himself. His previous record has turned
the eye of every Senator upon him; and
knowing and feeling this, Whittemore
very naturally directs his vision upon
those whom he regards as his enemies.
The consequence is, there has been very
little stealing in the Senate, and for the
reason that that body must concur with
the House, the hyenas there have gone
comparatively hungry.
From the Legislature ga. P" turns
his attention to the '6tting up job" and
pitches into Gen. Dennis, the contract
or, in mildly, sarcastic way. Speaking
of the Governors veto of the per diem
bill. in consequence of Dennis bill hav-
ing been slipped in, he says:
v The scene in the House when the veto
became known beggared description.
The little ring who we're to have made
S100, 600 out of the Dennis claim gritted
their teeth. The ignorant negro mem
bers, who saw nothing in it bnt a stop
page of their pay, swore that Gov. Scott
did it to force them to have their claims
discounted by the Carolina Trust Com
All. however. swallowed their rage along
with their whiskey, and soon the floor OF
the House was O scene of riotous confu-
sion. Mock resolutions we're passed and
filthy laws enacted. One white member
sung negro songs and made negro
speeches, and dozens of colored women,
of low character, hob-nobbed with the
members in their seats. The orgies
finally ceased, and. at the appointed hour,
Moses announced that the session was
over, and the House of Representatives
was declared adjourned.
Whatever may be the objects of the
Ku Kux Khan in the State, or whatever
may be their actions, it is very certain
that the organization has been brought
into existence by just such acts of plum
der ms that I have described. The peo-
pie OF South Carolina have borne the
evils of this Government until they can
bear it no longer, and they are deter.
mined to rescue the State, if possible,
from the hands of the villains who are
fast driving her into bankruptcy. tt
must be remembered, however, that
opinion is divided rs to how the much
needed reform is to be effected. The