The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-03-04
9 ! !
Trassaay Aesn,hs. Nasen 4, 1878
Promise ahd Performance.


We have made O pretty close examina.
ton Of the Acts passed by the General
Assembly, in order, first. to see what do
gree OF fidelity to its pledges the present
administration has shown and, secondly.
to, consider dispassionately what amount
Of public good their measures are likely
10 snbserve. When before the reopas as
candidates and in their nominating con-
veution. they were profuse in their pro-
mises of reform, and lavish in their
pledges to carry them ont faithfully and
at al haIards. They. issued regular
platform, containing. perhaps, dozen
planks, on which they confidently took
their stand. and appealed to tho country
for It's support. Their followers biindlS
accepted .ksae ,nfomises :as law and Cos:
pei. and We may say now. looking to the
resul!s,F fell ohopelessly, into the snare
adroitly set for them. Iu the conven.
tion, the voices 'of Mackey,- Elliott, Cain
aud others were not eloquent, indeed,
butloud and shrill in denuuciation of
fraud, dishonesty and malfeasance in
efice. In listening to Mackey. as he
laid r;the virtuous ldo1t3i1es down, and
pitilessiy piled his oat:o mine tails on the
bare back Of Whittemore, already sore
from previous fagellationn, one was al
most ready to think that third Cato
had dropped from Heaven to rebuke the
sins OF wicked men, and to expose the
unwarrantable claims of such spurious
reformers as Orr, Tomlinson and Greene.
To-day, We ask. we're these lofty preten-
sions made good in wholesome reforms,
in check of abuses, in decent economy,
or in any wise and benefcent legisla-
tion?. With every disposition to be just,
with no motive to be unfair in statement.
we are obliged to charge that pledges
have not been redeemed, and that pro-
misses we're only writ in water.
We have already noticed the failure of
the General Assembly to grspple with
the question of the public debt. to deter
mine What is valid and what fraudulent.
and glanced at the probable motives in
keeping dark in regard to it. They were
bound not only by the third plank in
their platform, but by every oonsidera-,
ton which could address itself to their
minds as prudent legislators, "to effect
Instantly a financial reform in the State
Government, by suspending the payment
Of interest on every bond Of the State.
II whioh thara oopIJ ba o&toobo1 A.,
shadow OF q suspicion. and providing
for the punotual payment of the princi-
pal and interest of the unquestionably
valid debt" 60. There is just cause for
dissatisfaction that matter of such para
mount importance should hayo besn loft
as they foGud it. We have to complain
Of the same ,short-coming in regard to
liberal laws to promote immigration into
the Stee;, 70 the necessity of so hedg.
ing aboat the treasury ds TO secure the
taithfpl application Of public funds solely
TO the public service; to the reduction>in
SALARIES. and in the number Of salaried
offices; 20 the daily publication of the
tfahsaotions in the offices OF the Trea;
surer and Comptroller-G General, which
sheir sad experience; as they said, had
taught then. was 30 necessary check.
All these we're not only pledges of party,
renewed and re.aff1rmed at different
times, but duties to the country, and
they have all ended In smoke.
1t is agreeable to talk. reform; it is
1ather pleasant, and not at all difficult to
most men to make promises, if thereby
they think they increase their chances
Tor comfortable Office and easy position.
We are willing to believe that the pre-
sent administration OF the State Govern
ment, during the canvass, and infu-
enoed by it's pressure and their fears,
may have had some faint view of what
was right and cherished soro slight pur-
pose OF amendment. These we're the
keys with which they expected to unlock
the doors of office which they so much
coveted. We dislike to think they were
downright hypocrites and deliberate
prevaricators. We suppose they i'm
posed on themselves as well as on others.
nhox,