Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-24
soufh CarnIinn.

This has been an uncommonly good week for
conventions. Republican state conventions
have been held in New York, South Carolina,
Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa and Arkansas, DEM
ocratic in Tennessee, Straight" democratic in
Georgia, Greeley democratic and '1iberal" in
Missouri and Michigan labor reform in this
state and numerous congressional conventions
OF the several parties in various districts of
Maryland, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Mis-
souri,, Maine and Texas, and perhaps some other
states OF the New York convention we had
something to say yesterday. The others call
for no special comment except that in South
Carolina The action there is unfortunate. The
republican party in that state has been burdened
with some most disreputable members, who
have taken villainoUS advantage of their OPP
portunities. There has been undoubtedly a great
deal of fraud and financial mismanagement in
the state government, and while some of the
thieves are well known, it is not so clear as is
desirable whether Others who are sometimes
their profits are really guilty. At any rate
there has been movement for reform which
has caused breach in the party and each of
three distinct factions sought to control the con-
vention. One of these, led by Col Orr, ex. Con-
gresham Whittemore, District Attorney Cor
hin and others, is credited by all outside
observers, and generally by South Carolinians
who are not republicans, with genuine desire
for reform and purity of administration; they
desired to nominate for governor Reuben Tom
linson.
Another faction, guided by men who, as
everybody seems to agree, are implicit ed the
recent disagreement OF the state and from
whom, if entrusted with power, no improve.
ment can be expected, presented as its candidate
+. J. Moses, lately speaker of the state house OF
representatives, and accused of many corrupt
practices while holding that office. A third sec
ton, claiming to be earnest reformers, but
whom Orr and his following profess
to distrust, wished to nominate d. H. Chamber
lain, the present encouragement of the state,
a gentleman of brilliant talents, and we believe,
| in spite of all that lis enemies allege against
him, an honorable and upright man. 1t is
true, at any rate, that until quite recently he
has been excepted by South Carolina democrats
from their general denuncations of the raScali-
ty of carpet-baggers. The struggle of these
three parties in the convention was vehement
and angry. Charges of corruption were made
on all sides, and after disgraceful wrangle,
during which the president of the convention,
Mr. Elliot, member of the present congress
drew pistol upon one of the delegates, but did
not fire, Mr.. Moses was declared the nominee of
the party.
Mr.. Orr and some of his friendss Immediately
withdrew, declaring that they could not support
a candidate of such character With Mr.. Orr
are all the federal office holders in the state and
it is said, the most respectable of the white re-
pubcans. Moses, the reports say, has the sup
port of the negroes generally. What the result
of this nomination and bolt viii be upon the
politics Of the state remains to be seem 1t is not
improbable that a reform state ticket will be
nominated and supported by the democrats gen.
orally and the republican boilers, and such a
ticket would have fair chance of election. We
see no reason to suppose that the presidential
canvass in that state will be specially affected
by this division on the state ticket