The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-29
shaM we Have any iPro.ecu,ions. J

The UgiQn PROCESSES t2 bold the view
that tha loss 81 larceny Of the Joint
resoluti0n. which directed the Attorney.
GenerAsto institute lsg{l proceedings
against the lateIS State Treasuter, was i'm
material, because it was unnecessary
and amounted to nothing. We have
already commented upon the mon.
strousness OF this declaration, and need
say no more OF it in that point OF view.
II such opinion had been promulgated
earlier, and q. rule Of practical action
dedueed from It, That only those Acts
should be allowed to become laws by
the signature of the Governor, which
might, in the opinion of Ton, Dick
and Harry, be meritorious, then few OF
the Acts of the last General Assembly
would have escaped strangiing. Deoide5.
# this particular resolution was as iu-
significant as'the Union pretends, then
the zeal of those who purloined it was
wholly misplaced. Why steal what is
worthless and harmless? The natural
conclusion, on the contrary. would be,
that it was made way with only because
it did already amount to something, and
il signed and in the hands of the At
torney- General, would amount to moro.
| From some motive, tho Same journal
urges that if the ex-Treasurer has been
guilty of peculation, fraud or other
crime, the Attorney General could pro.
ceed against him as we'll without as with
legislative warrant. Whether this is the
expression of a conviction, or is merely
tnunt and defiance flung in the faco of
the Attorney General, we will not pre-.
| tend to determine. It is question
with those who look on and Judge, but
are powerless to affect the curious hu-
man drama which is enacted before their
eyes in this State, where everything is
abnormal, what force the "lost" resolu-
tion ought to be considered as having.
The Governor regarded it as only so
much waste paper, because, as he says,
it did not reach his Office during the
session of the Legislature. Will the
Attorney General look upon it in the
same light, because. although tho ex-
preston Of the peoples will and true
legislative enactment. formally sealed,
signed and ratified by the General AS
sembly, it bears not the Governors sig
nature? That is one question for him
to consider. Another will be, supposing
that it has not the force of law, whether
it has any other? Will the Attorney
General conceive himself to bo instruct
ed or advised by what was evidently the
intention of the Legislature? Will tho
fact that its purpose has been disho-
nestly thwarted, militate against the
moral effect OF its plainly expressed
meaning? And, lastly, what is suggest
ed by the Union, whether in mockory or
oandor, that the Attorney G eneraI needs
no enabling Act to stimulate him in the
discharge Of an obvious duty, is like
wise calculated to arrest his attention.
Are there any grounds upon which At
torney- General Melton will feel autho-
rized to take stand in tho prosecution
OF Parker? The people of the State
look anxiously to the time when the
power OF the courts to punish offenders
against the State, and to check the ca.
reer OF public criminals, will be autho-
ritatively appealed to. A great day of
reckoning is to come. How long before
it will dawn? The laurels of Tilden and
O'Conner ought not to allow the Attor-
ney General of South Carolina to sleep.
The State election in Rhode Island is
the first to occur in April. It falls this
year upon the first day of the month.
Connecticut will follow on the 9th. The
event obtains additional interest and
Importance in each State from the fuc.
that npon the result in each will depend
the clecnion Of United States Senator.
In Rhode Island, Hon. Wm. Spraguc's
successor is to bo chosen by the Legis-
lature to be elected, and in Connecticut,
Hon. VIM. A. Buokingham's.
Speaking Of last words. recalls tho
case OF Millarl Fillmore, whose final