New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-17
OPINIONS OF A LEADER OF THE REFORM
|' MOVEMENT

A CONVERSATION WITH GEN. j. b. KERsHAw-RE-
VIEW OF THE RAsCALITY IN THE STATE GOV
ERNMENT-JOBBERY AND PLUMBER THE RULE
AND NOT THE RxCEPTIoS-EXTENT TO WHICH
THE CONSERVATIVES ARE REsPoNsIBLE-THE
NEGRO DRMoRALHED AND CORRUPTED BY OFFICE
SEEKING AND oFFICE-HOLDING HOW REFORM
MAY ATTAINED-wHERE GEN. GRANT MISSED
AN OPPoRTUNrTY-THE WHITES WILLING TO
SHARE THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE BLACKS
IFRoM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNE.l
COLUMBIA, s. c., Sept. 12-In the effort forpo-
litica reform making in South Carolina figure is
more prominent than that of Gen. J. B. Kershsw. To
aim and to Gen. Jas. Chestnut. exUned States Sena-
tor is largely due the which has thus far at
tended the Taxpayers movement the extent OF which
As represented by the Convention and Taxpayers
Unions session in this city, body presenting In
appearance as well in other respects marked and
favorable the Republican gathering In the
State House. 1 sought to learn Gen. Kershaw's
views on affairs IN South Carolina, for the
reason indicated and because he by both parties
Christian gentleman OF real ability,
extensive experience public lfe little Influenced by
sarsan considerations friendly to both honestin
all things and candid fault. He was prominent
officer in the Confederate Army Of Northern Virginia,
was Chairman Of the State Committee Of the Carpenter
Reform movement which made such demonstration
OF strength in few ago, and Is now the
Sayorte candidate OF the Tax Unions for the Governor
NE will probably be candidate for Congress In the dis
riot now represented by tho Hon. A s. Wallace, whose
"Cartridgebox" speech, delivered few weeks ago. so
excited the negroes Of the counties Of the mid
die section. % -....
Ifound Gen. Kershaw perfectly willing to answer all
questions propounded with to giving the people
of the North truthful statement Of South Carolina af
fairs SubjOined Is a report Of his views:
A GOVERNMENT BAD FROM THE BEGINNING.
I n
that the government Of South Carolina since
struosion almost from the very beginning, certainly
very soon after converted into sort OF job busi
mess having object other purpose than the en-
pichment OF the oce-holders This remark Is 30 gen.
1ra In the application among the political leaders as TO
admit scarcely OF any exception to It's truth In some
few instances suppose there is no doubt that cor
sorations and private persons-natives Of the State
and commonly cassed with the Democrats and hold
sng social relations with them-have encouraged this
corruption by buying the passage OF acts OF ineopora
zion and other bills for private purposes. There was
hardly possibility during the last six years TO secure
legislative aid for such purposes without resort TO
the use Of such means. think, too, that men having
some character have been induced TO unite In some OF
these speeulaons at the public expense, in order IN
some TO render thom more plausible in sp-
pearance. But these instances very in
deed, and the parties known TO be engaged
IN them have suffered quite much in public estima-
tion frem whom less The growth
OF this corruption gradual It first began In COM
parauvely small and the parties
ered bold by success they indefinitely increased
an the amount and number OF the jobs until OF last the
State is bankrupt, its credit exhausted and the people
determined, In my opinion, 70 endure 1t no more. As
sn evidence Of the deliberate design 70 plumber
the State In these large bond transactions, the
acts authorizing the issue Of bonds In every
instance, believe, certainly In most, do not
provide the of bonds to be issued but
only specify the amount to be raised by the issue OF
bonds Hence, II the object were 20 raise 100000
bonds 20 the OF t50Oe0Oo might be issued or
any other amount which might DO necessary raise
that In the MARKET and the It's faoo would
seem justify the transaction. The spoliatcrs when
they speak Of the amount Of the public debt often
resort to the amount authorized be limit
while the actual debt created to raise that amount
snsps vet ascertained have been told that these
were al ways drawn under the immediate snperiu
xsndeuce OF the then Attorney General Mr. Chamber
GAIN not the Republican candidate fes Governor.
suppose the legislation Of country win show such
sriniug with the public credit they manifest ef
ai4i THE NEGRO IN POLITICS. ''t
Very few Of the negroes have derived any advantage
from their share IN this dirty work. few OF their
headers have grown ricb hat the most Of them are az
poor as they The little they got members
~ the legislature only served 20 promote the Formation