The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-01-12
That special nzes.a &c.

to charges made against him, wherein
may be recognized theSpen of Thomas
Jefferson Mackey, is a remarkable doou-
ment. If Mr.. Maokey wotnded the
Governor so grievously in his first mes
sage, it is meet that he should seek to do
something for his charge in his second
message.
It has been we'll said that there is al
ways certain advantage to be gained
by bold disclaimer or defiance of the
plainest rnies OF morality. Holding Gov.
Scott responsible for the message which
bears his signature. we have to remark,
that the proposition which we have Just
recited applies particularly to the Ohio
adventurer. Here is man notoriously
corrupt, weak and treacherous. Here is
man SO frugal of truth as to be prolific
in mendacity. Here is a man who has
substantially traversed the decalogue in
many particulars, and yet he ventures to
come before the public of South Caro-
lima. assuming the garb OF assailed vir-
tue and putting on the airs of injured
innocence.
He makes his defence before the Legis-
latnre, the majority of whose members
are as corrupt as bis "Excellency." But
before seeking defence and vindication
in words, he had purchased safety with
his money ill.gotten gains. He
now boasts of the failure of the move to
impeach him, and thus lie glories in his
shame. whilst priding himself upon his
escape.
As for his defence, it is weak, ovasive
and unsatisfactory. Without entering
at this time into details. We remark, that
the. Governor excuses himself about the
over-issue OF bonds just as We expected
and have anticipated. The Governor
falls back upon the peculiar wording of
the money Acts-not peculiar only. but
fraudulent and rascally. These Acts did
authorize the raising of 40 many mil.
lions of dollars on bonds, without speci-
tying the amount. That was q fraud, an
artful device, and now the Governor pro.
poses to take advantage of it, or to throw
the responsibility upon other shoulders.
This. however, will not do. It is we'll
established rule, that no statute is to be
80 construed as to work an absurdity.
10 constrno these money Acts so as to
authorize the issue of an indefinite num-
her of bonds, is to construe the statute
80 rs to work an absurdity. To issue
bonds under suoh construction as Gov.
Scott attaches to the statute, is to COM
nit fraud. and the bonds so fraudu.
lently issued nre substantially over
issues.
Secondly. the Governor is disposed to
take great deal of credit to himself,
because OF the efforts he made. and au-
thorized Col. Palmer, j. P. Southern,
Esq. and others. to make, to have
Kimpton turned ont and the Financial
Agency of the State transferred TO some
reliable New York banking house. This
amounts to nothing. The damage had
already been done. The money Of the
people had already been squandered or
stolen. The bonds had been issued.
The credit of the State was gone. Her
finances had been ruined. It was too
late. Neither Col. Palmer, Mr.. South
ern, or anybody else could arrest the
ruin. Nothing was strong enough to
prop up falling pyramid of fraud.
The amount Of lie matter, as respects Coz.
Scot, is simply this: a fer the horses had
been stolen. the rob6er himself-ihe Chief of
"the forty nieoes" lie. himself, proposed
TO lock The stable doors. And now he has
the audacity to take credit to himself for
his "virtuous" efforts.
His reply to the charges made against
him. respecting the State mlitia, the
agricultural college land scrip, the Land
Commission, and the arms swindle. is
very much just what might havo been
anticipated. He either ignores the facts
OF the case or seeks to relieve himself of
the responsibility which attaches to him
as the Chief Executive. Gov Scott NAV
convince his tool, the Union, and his
slaves. the corrupt legislative majority,