The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-14
Cheering Words from Exalted Officials

The Winnsboro Neacs gives report of the
language employed by Attorney General Melton
and Judge Mackey, upon the trial of Treasurer
Smith last week, in reference to the polluted
condition of our public affairs. We have no
room for comments, but ask attention to the
emphatic and fearless denunciations therein
contained. Attorney General Melton is quoted
as follows:
"The present system of collecting taxes is
perfect, derived from the experience OF all the
States. Before the war, tax collecting was
simple affair. There were no checks and bal
ances, and yet such was the innate honesty OF
the men of those days, that defalcations were
of the rarest occurrence. But now, IN spite OF
the cordons drawn around the State Treasury,
in spite of the bars and bands and triple locks,
in spite of the guards who surround 1t, and OF
the lamp that never ceases to burn, vast
amounts of money-money wrung from strug-
Cling people-have been recklessy stolen and
suuandered, leaving the whole government
clogged and her credit destroyed. There now
exists in the State of South Carolina an era of
corruption such as has never before been wit
messed. But this thing cannot last. 1t must
have an end Initial steps are now being taken
to put an end forever to this vile, outrageous
thing. Although Mr.. Smith confessed his de-
falcation voluntarily, he had been suspected
before. The eyes of the government had been
on him. The crimes of others are known also,
and they had better take warning by the sad
example of Smith. And before the ides of
November come, so help me God, they will
know this to their sorrow. We bide our time.
That time will come"
Judge Mackey then said that the court
recognized, in all their potency, the appeals in
behalf of the prisoner. The extreme limit of
the punishment of the offence in question is
$4,000 fine and three years Imprisonment.
He reviewed the remarks of the Attorney
General, and then remarked that the presiding
Judge was profoundly impressed with the con-
viction that, in passing sentence, he was not,
as should be the case, intiicting penalty upon
duty devolving on him. He firmly believed
shat he was performing a duty merely tech
nical and formal, and that the judgment itself
was merely precursor of a pardon that would
surely follow The State House throws
shadow deep and broad over the very threshold
of the temple of justice, and in releasing from
confinement those individuals who have been
punished for their misdeeds, it strikes deadly
blow at public safety
The presiding Judge would feel sense of
sorrow and oppression, crushing, in the midst
of general calamity, were it not for such ut
terances as have been made by the Attorney
General, which indicate that no State is lost
where one solitary son stands before the people
like a faithful sentinel, Drawing corruption.
The Court utters back the sentiments of the
Attorney General, with sensbilities that every
public officer should feel and every citizen
should cherish.
1t has been said by one we'll versed in the
springs of human action, that that child re-
members it's mother with deepest affection who
knew her when young and in the bloom of
womanhood. Judge NIackey then dwelt upon
old South Carolina, but mentioned that in the
ory the present system was BETTER as there is
now no citizen, however low, who knows any
master save God; none, however high, who is
above the law.
The Court hopes it may yet reach the chief
criminal of the State, and show that however
strong, his power may be broken by the iron
hand of the law. The Court had hoped that
in this trial the opportunity would have shown
! itself; but that hope has been defeated.