The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-24
s. G.
Tueaday Morning. March "a, 1874.
Tho DfH.rence,

governor Aempere veto Oh the new
charter Of Petersburg, recently passed
by the Legislature of Virginia, has
called forth great variety OF comments,
mingled with considerable denunoiation.
The wave OF opprobrium is. however,
reoeding, and a returning sense OF JUS
tice in some conservative ranks, where
he was condemned. does honor to his
motives, even where it cannot approve
his policy. In the message which sus-
tains his views, 10 s5cws himseif ila
capable OF grssping the principles OF
popular government as he was courage
ous in enunoiating them in the face OF
the opposition of some OF his warmess
friends. The charter which he vetoed
originated in the purpose Of taking the
city government out of the hands OF
Radicals, who, through the negro vote,
have control in the city of Petersburg.
But q principle was in the way, and
Kemper, whatever his feelings and
wishes. felt bound to respect it. Radi.
Gals find no conscientious soruples in
ignoring the will of the people and
placing their minions in power, but q
conservative gentleman like Kemper is
bound by respect for fundamental laws
of right and wrong, and looks beyond
ahe passion Of the hour, or the mo-
snentary advantages of party, to the
oalm judgment OF thinking and honora-
BILE men for justification.
How; different this whole matter from
what occurred in Columbia. The Radi-
cal Legislature Of South Carolina virtu-
ally set aside popular election for
Mayor aud Aldermen OF Columbia, be-
cause the vote went against the Radical
party. 1t proceeded to pass on Act en-
lasging the boundaries OF the city, go as
to take in the suburbs, which contained
negro voters mainly, and then ordered
new election. This election was held,
and the result was in accordance with
the arrangements made to bring it
about. The demand Of the newly
elected parties for the offices, in. advance
OF the expiration of the time for which
their predecessors had been chosen. wGs
sustained by the Supreme court. Thus
was the government OF the city Of 90.
lumhia revolutionized; thus was intelli-
genes and integrity driven to the wall;
thus was the door opened for extrava.
gance, jobs, debt and embarrassment.
One OF the f1rst fruits was the ruinous
contract to supply the city with water
for twenty years, at an annual cost of
$16.000-an increase OF $4,000 year
and interest in the expenses of the city
for twenty years. The same Supreme
Court whioh ousted d the old regular city
government, has lately legalized the
oppressive contract of the new city CO.
vernment with the Columbia Water
Power Company. The Union thinks
this. with nlI its wretched consequences,
was all right to be done in Columbia by
Radicals. It has no commentator for
refusal Of the Conservative Kemper to
allow any similar measure to take effect
in Virginia city 1t passes by brave
act, originating in high principle, which
brought him into collision with friends,
to utter puny and pAltry 'inuendoes"
against those Conservatives, in whose
condemnation Of Kemper feeling got
the better Of judgment. 1t is unsparing
in its abuse OF the Conservatives of Pc
tersburg, for trying to escape, by Con-
servative legislation, the evils which
Radical legislation brought upon Co.
lumbia. It makes oil the difference in
the world whose bull it was that gored
the OK. Certainly it is as easy to rejoice
over Petersburg continued under despi-
cable rule, by the Conservative forbear.
ance OF Gov. Kemper, as over Columbia
arbitrarily put under it by unreasouing
and unjust extremism of Radical power.
----< - -
Those Pledges.
It is sarcastic in the Union Herald to
keep that platform standing at the head
OF it's columns, surmounted by the
knotty question, "Haye we kept these
solemn pledges?" 1t is enough to give
n Radical the helIv. ache evarv tirna ha