The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-20
COLUMBIA, s.: g:
-, e - ~ II II 81 ~ II
Wednes say, sadorni March 90; 1872.

suo OouUCll Will ME. Allou stO 'OuIlu tuo
City Hall for the sum of $138, 900. has
been rescinded. The contract has been
awarded to Mr.. Clark Waring for the
sum OF 8S6. 800, who has or will enter
into bond in the penal cum of 800. .000
for the aatthfulp performance OF his agree
ment. with F. W. Wing. John Agpew,
John D. Caldwell and w. o. Swafaeld
as sureties. The Council have thus
turned complete somersanlt, and 40,
oepted, with bad grace though it be,
the very proposition which they utterly
repudiated a few weeks ago. They pro.
Tess now to be sotuated solely by the
advice of the committee of the Board Of
Trade, which is very considerate and
wise in them. The pity is that they
have not oftener deferred to the wishes
and suggestions OF that body. BY the
arrangement with Mr.. Waring, the city
is saved the difference between $1SS, 900
aud $S6, 800, or 95l, 800. This is con-
siderable gain. and shows what may be
done by prompt and energetic action on
the part of honest citizens to thwart the
schemes of corrupt officials. The same
line Of conduct pursued against the
State officials, who, instead of attempt
ing to steal thousands. have actually
atolen millions. would, we sincerely be-
lieve. result in similar benefits to the
psople. We have still, though, been
uaafsted several thousand dollars in this
City ,Hall contract. A sop had to be
thrown to Mr.. Allen, to get him out of
Che way.
Mr.. Waring, proposes to credit the
city with 81, 1000 for work already done
ON the hall. The work is not considered
to be worth over S5. 900, at the highest,
80 that there are $4,000 lost here-Mr.
Waring. of course. having increased his
bid proportionally. But there has been
actually paid Mr.. Allen $12. 800 already,
for the work he has done; 80 that really
87,500 of city funds have been sunk
This, though damning to the City
Council. is money not i'll spent. if this
City Hall business has opened the eyes
of the oolored people to the wrongs and
swindles which are being perpetrated
under the cloak of Republioanism. This,
we believe, has been the case, to q great
extent. The old Council, with. few
exceptions, have been utterly ignored in
the new nominations, and We trust, be-
fore election day. to persuade them to
ignore some OF the equally bad men who
have secured their nomination. There
is every reason to fear thpt Carpenter
and his slsin-white confreres will assume
the same role that their predecessors fol-
lowed. and the city cannot afford the
experiment. There is warm feeling
manifested, on the part Of the oolored
people, to give their white felIow-oiti-
zens, as they term it, 'a showing, In
order to produce good feeling and Sc
euro honesty and economy in the city
government" It is encouraging to see
this, and if our white people will only
throw off their letbargy and respond
cordially to the kind sympathies of the
other race, good men will be elected and
the city saved. God himself only knows
the wonderful and hidden power of voli-
ton. Earnestness, zeal and unremit-
ting perseverance put forth in a good
cause will work wonders. Croaking,
doubtful, slothful citizens, who will do
nothing, on the ground, as they soy,
that they hope for nothing, are almost as
'censurable as tho scoundrels that rob us.
THE AMNESTY FARCE little farce iy
played in the House of Representatives
evory week. Refusing to grant gene.
raj amnesty, they pass, once in seven
days regularly. disability BILL" by
which the persons named in it are re.
lieved of all disabilities as citizens aris.
ing from acts during the rebellion. In
making up this periodical bill, overy
member hands in whatever lists lie
chooses, and none of the names are read.
They insist on only one provision-it is
understood that il the name OF Jefferson
Davis appears in any list presented, the