The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-11

their claims upon an equitable basis. Inc
one great fact, however, with which We have
to deal is, that ln opposing the execution
of law believed to be uncoustitutionaL
and In refusing to acknowledge the binding
character OF claims believed to be fraudu-
lent, the present State Government have
given substantial and practical proof OF
their determination To carry into effect,
wherever they can, the pledges made IN the
Republican Nominating Convention, and
during the State Canvass.
Had the Supreme Court determined to
grant the mandamus this paper would not
have questioned the honesty OF the Judg'
ment. That they have decided not 10
grant the mandamns is evidence that the
law is plain and conclusive. The members
OF the appellate court have done their duty
and the opportunity was made for them'
and given to them, by the members OF the
State Government It is not too much to
cay that the 81, 800. 600 OF Blue Ridge scrip
weuld never have been declared void and
worthless had any Of the officials OF the e1-
ecstive department Of the government been
lukewarm In upholding the rights OF the
people. The quiet determination and un-
fllnchlng courage OF Comptroller Hoge
would have avsiled little without the CO.
oneration OF Treasurer Csrdozo and Cover
nor Moses. Nor could Attorney-General
Melton, however patriotic and energetic,
have brought the case properly into court
had not his colleagues stood squarely by
him. The successful onslaught upon the
Blue Ridge scrip Is the work OF the
Moses administration. 1t was not an
effort to deprive any person OF bis Just
dues; it was an effort to guard the whole
people against fraud; 1t was an expression
Of the fixed resolution to sift out the grain
from the chat, and admit no debt which was
not proved to be lawfully contracted and
honestly due. For what they have done, In
this matter. the new government deserve
the thanks OF the State.
It need not be feared that the practical
Reputation OF the Blue Ridge scrip will
have an adverse effect upon the public credit.
Thanks to extravaganza and bad manage
ment, South Carolina has no credit worthy
of the name. But We desire to see the fair
fame Of the State restored, and her securl-
ties selling at high price In the money mar
kets Of the world. A wholesale recognition
OF every nominal obligation made during
the past five years would only sink US deeper
la the rnire. A government which does not
command the confidence OF ils own people
cannot retain the confidence Of the outside
public. Unless State have both the ability
and the willingness to pay, her obligations
las State cannot be sued, } have only fancy
and speculative value. South Carolina can
pay her every legitimate debt, and, when
firm confidence in the government is
restored, the legitimate debts will be paid.
The opposition to the Blue Ridge scrip tends
to restore confidence, and In that way is
step towards the re-establishment OF public
credit. It may be said that the effect would
have been the same, whatever the decision
Of the Supreme Court. The opposition to
the scrip, not the. result Of the opposition,
was the standard by which to measure the
good faith OF the government. Uniortu-
nately this would not have been the case.
Had the court decided the scrip to be valid,
nine men out Of ten would have regarded
the decision as put up job; 30 convinced
were the people that the scrip was fraud
and a cheat. From every point OF view,
therefore, the victory now won is cause
Tor congratulatlon. 1t is performance, not
promise, and 1t Is an Indication Of the course
that will be taken With such part Of the
bonded debt as is, also, tainted with suspi-
cion. A brave beginning is made. Let the
good work go onl