The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-21
Let Reform be Genuine.

The time is fast approaching when the Re-
publcans of this State will be called upon to
make good the promises which have been made
for economy and reform in the management of
the financial and legislative affairs of the State.
That there is stern determination upon the
part of the better class of Republicans to carry
out these promises in good faith, no one can
doubt who has carefully watched the course Of
events during the past two or three months.
Thatevery obstacle which corrupt and design
ing men, who hope to creep into power upon
the tide of reform, will be thrown in the way,
is apparent in many sections of the State. The
question for the Republicans now to decide, is
not who shall be the next Governor, but shall
we have capable, efficient men elected in every
department of the government, both State and
county. good Governor is almost powerless
for any genuine reform, if he has arrayed
against him corrupt and venal men in the Leg
isature. Even a strong and determined mi
nority can do much to stem the tide OfprOtigate
and corrupt legislation, but how much more
efficient would our General Assembly be, if
more intelligent, honest, capable men were
elected Any one who has watched the course
of the General Assembly for the past four years
has seen, that while there were efficient, active,
capable men there, still greater number of
uneducated, irresponsible members stood in the
way and efectually prevented the honest mem
bers from accomplishing as much for the State
as they could have done under more favorable
circumstances The Republicans in each coun-
ty owe it to themselves, and the great party
which they represent, to see that no stumbling
blocks are sent to the General Assembly this
time. There are plenty of capable men in
every county in the State to fill all the Offices,
but unfortunately these men do not control the
rimary conventions, because they will not
stoop to engage in the dirty work necessary to
enable them to manipulate those bodies. But
the time is fast coming when the people will
not consent to be sold by few political trick
sters, whose only ambition is to get into office
in order to live without work, by robbing the
public treasury.
We call upon the intelligent Republicans all
over the State to band themselves together in
the work of reform, and sternly resolve, if bad
men are nominated through tie cunning ad-
vices so often resorted to in the past, to defeat
them at the ballot box. The future of the
party demands that this pe done, and done at
once. 1t is not always those who talk the most
gibly of reform who are genuine retormers, tor
sharp politicians :,ways take advantage OF any
tide that is likely to carry them into power.
The only way to arrive at proper solution OF
the question, is to examine the record of those
now in office, and if it does not prove to be such
as it ought to be, i'll order to command the
respect and confidence CT the party, cast them
aside and take up new men. Rotation in office,
like rotation in crops, is generally attended
with the most beneficial results.
The colored people of the State being in
large majority, will be held primarily respon-
sible for any failure of the party to secure
the election of competent, honest men to office.
1t will not do to plead ignorance this time, tor
six years experience ought to have taught
them at least the first principles of republican
government The country looks to them to de-
monstrate the fact, that universal suffrage was
not mistake. Will they do it?-C0lunldia
Union.