The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-12
Our b1unio,pal Election.

Aoo C"e0"s J0StoIodyp gave uB u very
fair-soundipg article upon the character
and qualifications Of the men who should
be elected to control our city affairs for
the next term. Says that journal:
"When aoandidate presents himself for
one OF these positions, let these questions
first be settled: Is he competent to ma
mage his own affairs successfully? Is he
intelligent. capable and honest?"
That is all very good, and for once,
n'irabile dictu, the Union and tho PH9-
NIX may be said to be of one mind, to
some extent. But the question is, how
is this object to be attained2 There is
where the Union makes his mistake.
How are honest, intelligent and capable
men most likely to be secured, and the
city government administered alike in
the interests Of the property holders
and the laboring olassesp It will not
best be done by making party issue of
the matter. We do not believe that
every man is dishonest who is Repub-
lican. There are as good men in the
Republican party as out of it, we are
free to admit. While this is true, it is
equally evidsnt TINT just proportion OF
honest and intelligent Republicans have
not been brought to South Carolina yet,
or grown here. The conduct OF our
State Government, our financial condi
ton. and the actions Of our present City
Council. shows the vastly preponder-
ating influence OF corrupt men in the
Republicanism in South Carolina up to
this date. Judging of the future by the
past, if Republioanism is made pre-.
requisite qualification for candidates
party lines are drawn, and the election
carried on through the agency OF mere
political clubs, which. az a rule are
worked and manipulated by few bad
men-political tricksters and the veriest
demngogues-we may expect nothing
but to see set of men in the main un
reliable placed in Office. The material
interests of the city will inevitably be
sacrificed to tie private greed OF n few
individuals.
There is no reason why politics should
be dragged into municipal election.
Where there is no great diversity of in
terests. aud each party embodies fair
proportion of the wealth, integrity and
intelligence, such course works no great
harm. But it is wrong anywhere, and
specially reprehensible in such condi-
ton OF affairs as exist in Columbia
whero tho mass of the property-holders
aud OF Intelligent citizens are ono side,
and that side in minority. Partyism is
the curse OF our country. In their blind
zeal for party Advancement, even good
citizens forget their country and knayes
profit by it. Nearly all political parties
are based on pure and patriotic princi-
pies; but. ns has been truly said, they
first become powerful and then corrupt.
In our city government every sensible,
rejecting citizen must admit that it is
eminently desirable. if not absolutely
necessary, to secure ct least an coon omi-
cal management of city affairs, that the
tax payers who happen to be, as d rule,
anti Radical in their political viows,
should be represented in the City Coun.
Gil. The true idea Of Republicanism is
that all tho varied interests OF society,
or as noar all MS can possibly be m ado
practicable, should be represented and
have their due influence in tho govern
ment. This follows. logically, from tho
groundwork Of our political creed, that
all governments should rest on the con-
sent of the governed. If We had the
system of minority representation by
cumulative voting in operation hero,
there would be no trouble or difficulty in
tho matter. As it is, we must endeavor
to secure as nearly the same result as is
possible, by compromise and agreement
between our two classos OF citizens.
Both white and black desire, or should
desire, the best possible government at
tho smallest possible cost. On this latter
point the body OF Taxpayers arc the
more directly interested. They foot the
bill of costs, and they want it kept at as
low figure as is consistent with an eff.
cient and proper government. All they