The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-10-31
letter from j. r. Reed, Esq


Mr.. EDITOR: At public meeting
held at Anderson on sale-lay in Octo-
Der, introduced certain resolutions,
suggesting that the true policy for the
| Conservative party IL the approaching
| election, was to ignore contest for
Governor, and direct their efforts to
securing a good Legislature. For
| doing SO. have been denounced as IA
Republican, and the arrangement of
the political chess board, as it turns
out. leaves mo either TO forrgo the
| right of suffrage, or choose between
two Republican candidates. For one,
thus situated, I prefer to vote for Mr..
Chamberlain. and, as number of
| friends in different parts of the State
have inquired after my reasons for
doing 80, who at this late day eau be
more readily reached through your
columns than otherwis and, as I unl
always prepared, without regard to
faith that is in me, 1 respectfully ask
place in the PHGvIx for this paper,
| stating the reasons why shnil support
Mr.. D. H. hamberlain for Governor.
l. Because, being compelled to
didates standing on precisely the same
platform, so far as their party nomina
tions go. I prefer the man who is
Republican by birth and education
and who is carpet Dagger. after
eight or nine years residence, brought
his principles aud carpet-bug to the
State with him. and was not tempted
10 desert them and join the Kepub-
1 \ I.
to obtain either place or pclf.
| 2. Because OF his great learning
and distinguished ability as lawyer
and statesman.
3. For his exemplary character and
habits in private life, and his dignified
and gentlemanly department in hi, in
tercourse with the world.
| 4. For his solemn and reiterated
personal pledges to insist on u reiuc.
tion of the taxes to the lowest possible
rate that will suffice for an honest and
rigidly economical administration of
the State Government.
5. For his pledges to stand by the
adjustment of the public debt as made
last winter, including the scaling OF
that which all acknowledge to be legi-
innate, from 5l0.000.O00 to 35.O0O.
O0G, III round numbers, and to resist
to the bitter end. the payment OF the
conversion bonds. Blue Rioge scrip,
pay certificates, and all other fraudu-
lent claims against the State.
Prior to MIR. Chamberlains nomina:
tion for Governor, and the pledges
made by him then and since on the
bond question, be was the favorite Of
the Republican press Of New York and
Of the Northern cities generally for
Governor OF South Carolina. Since
that time. the Tribune and Times have
united with the Herali and World in
denouncing him. and are the jealous
supporters Of his adversary. Then he
was looked to as the bondboldors' can
didate. no,r he is regarded as the tax
payers and peoples man, III opposi
ton to the "oondholders' ring"
| 7. Because, Adcin4 made Msse p'e,i;ss,
] have confidence that he will redeem
tucm as far as he is ablo. and that he
will have more ability to do so than
any other man could have under the
circumstances surrounding the State
government. That he will not only
stand by the existing arrangement OF
the public debt and insist on low
taxes. hut that he will administer the
government with view to reform in
all its departments, enforcing the
strictest accountability, honesty and
economy, and so directing affairs as to
promote peace, fraternity and prospe-
rity amonst all the people. These are
his pledges. Having long known him
personally, they are satisfactory to me,
and. prejudice aside, think would be
80 to my friends and interrogators.
| 8. But, again, othor things being
equal: my nature prompts me to stand
for the man whom I think unjustiy rs.
sailed, and that man is D. 81. Cham
berlain. The charges made against
him IN relation to his past connection
with the State finances have been
pressed to the point OF the bitterest
persecution. They rest on mere sus-
picion, growing out Of his surrounding
as public officer, and arc not sus.
tained, 80 far as have seen, by little
Of proof that would hinder his imme.
diate acquittal. if formally charged, by
any impartial jury Of his peers. His
own testimony as to the past and his
pledges for the future should, there.
fo;e, in my judgment. not only yindi.
cate him. but commend him to the
confidence OF unprejudiced persons.