The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-10-15
Tho Senatorial Election.

ihteFcSt III thc ounty. Now that the
battle is over and the smokoeihs par.
TALLY cleared away, let us examine
into the facts connected with this
election, aid ondeavor to discover the
causes operating to bring about tho
diversity of opinion that existed
amoug the people. Last year, the
Republican party wos divided into
two factions in regard to tile County
officers. Mr.. Duvall and Henry
johnson headed tho Irregular" party,
aud Sanders Ford led tho opposition.
johnson was obnoxious to tho Con.
servativc party, and thoy generally
supported Ford, who was elected
Upon Ford's death, about dozen
aspirants appeared for the SCAT
~ among these, johnson doomed up
again. Ho was strongly backed by
MIR. Duvall. Tho opposition were
divided. But in caucus previous to
tho nomination, these candidates com.
bined and gave majority to Moses
Martin. 1t was generally noised
about that i'll the event of Martins
election, the present County officials
would be retained, but that if John.
son succeeded they would be removed. {.
Johnson ran till he was defeated in the
convention. Then caucus of dis.
affected delegates was held and Mr..
Calvin Brico was nominated. MIR.
Bricc, after consulting his friends, &C
cepted the nomination in q card de-
claring himself unpledged to any
measures. Here then, wore two CAN
dldates to choose from. Martin had
the advantage of his colorcd com-
petitors i'll having no public record
lie was anew man. lie held proper
ty. lilo bore good reputation
among his Ecighbors. The party had
shown :heir good sense in nominating
probably the best available man offer.
ins himself. Martin was pledged to
retain in ctlicc the Treasurer and Au-
ditor, beth of whom had performed
their duties satisfactorily. Mr.. Bricr
was large property holder. lie was
from one of tho best families in the
County, and a gentleman Of sterling
integrity. 1t was generally conceded
that nc could not be Influenced to do
anything he believed to be wrong
On account of his individual merit
no was warmly supported by many Of
the Conservatives.
But others were cxasperated with
tho faction that nominated him only
after they bad failed in a persistent
eIioit to elect johnson. They be.
lieved that this faction would be
strengthened ultimately in his success,
and weakened by his defoat. They
determined not to support Mr.. Brice
rather than aid this faction. Others
did not support MIR. Brice, because
they thought it impolitio for him to
run. Some believed the Senatorship
to be more important than the Coun.
ty Offices; some believed the oppo.
site. Several othor minor points
wore involyod.
In consequence of this diversity of
opinion, thero was very small Con.
servative vote, and this was divided
between the two candidates.
Tho Whites as body made no is.
sue in this election. In their votes
they were guided by their opinions
as to what was best for tho County
Mt large, and these opinions wero d..
verso. Upon one thing they were
united. They all wished lower
rate of taxation and more economi.
ool management Of public affairs.
One circumstance connected with this
campaign gives hope for tho future.
For the first time since recohstruc.
tion, both of the Republican wings
in tho nomination Of their candidates
had an eye to integrity. 1t enooura.
gcs us to hope that the time has past
when any person, however incompe.
tent and unfit, can be forced on the
people.
AS tho County paper, consulting
the best interests Of all the people of
Fairfield, we express hope that tho
newly elected Senator. will maintain
In public the character ho has 40.
quired in private, and remom boring
that he was supported by individuals
of all classes will endcavor to leeis.
!