The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-08-27
Reform.

Already men who have hcld n!Gn POSITIONS
under the State government, and who have
grown rich upon the hard earnings of the peo-
pie whom they have taxed to death to sup
port-not State goyernment-but State OIL
cials, are going about preaching reform. Was
not this grand scheme practiced years ago with
great success? Will it succeed this time, when
our memories recall the promises of the past
and when we are acquainted with the political
histories of most of the preachers of reform
We say emphatically, no. Experience Is
dear school, but we have learned in it a lesson
which shall never be forgotten. We remember
that lust before the election for Governor and
other State officers in 1872, number of speak
ers visited this place and made, as VIC thought
then very plausible speeches in favor of re-
form, promising that if their ticket would be
successful and Moses elected Governor, taxes
would be reduced, the country rendered pros
porous, and the people happy. Now, we ask,
how many of these predictions have been verl-
fed? Alas, not one! The other night we
were visited again by speakers who are candi-
dates for Congressional honors from this, the
Third District. They made very good speeches
in favor of reform, it is true but how much
of this can we believe, when VIC know that one,
at least. of the speakers has been accused OF
committing the grossest frauds during the time
he held the high and responsible position OF
State Treasurer. During the course of his re-
marks, he attempted to defend himself by say
ing that he was subject to the will of the Leg
islature, and that the disposition of the public
monies was made in accordance with their
commands 4 poor subterfuge. Now he
comes to us preaching reform, and saying for
get the past, elect me to Congress, and will
benefit vour State Had his past record been
clear and untarnishcd, We might think other
wise than we do now, but we judge men ac-
cordng to their deeds, and in so judging, VIC
are of the opinion that he will not do
We see very clearly and so does the party in
power, also, see the fruits of a mal-admnistra-
ton Of affairs in the recent disgracetul and
uncalcd for riots at Georgetown and Ridge
Spring, in which the peace of the State and
the we'll being of Society were set at naught
by horde of armed rioters, who, it seems, the
Governor had not the power or the willingness
to put down, until the citizens banded together
to defend themselves. The Union-Herdfd in a
recent editorial referring to the Ridge Spring
affair, says: "What, then, must we do !? What
must the Republican party do? 1t must get
rid of this government. 1t must so quietly,
earnestly and vigorously to work to nominate
its best man, and the best man most likely to
ACCOMPLISH this end" This is sound doctrine,
and we hope that something may be done in
the way of efcctng change for the better at
the coming election. The leading republicans
in this State are aware of the fact that they
have dcrogated from the true principles OF re-
publicanism, and that the system of govern
ment which they have been carrying on in TINS
State since 1865 has been in accordance with
the desires of few leading political dema-
rorucs and not in accordance with the true
spirit Of republican government. They now,
more than ever, sec the necessity OF reform IN
order to keep themselves in power, and to OBJ
tain the favor of the National Republican par
tv which they have been fast losing. They
are conscious, too, that the General Govern
ment is watching their actions with Jealous
eve. and if they persist much further in dcbas-
ing the government of this State, and tyran-
nizng over the people, something definite will
be done to put stop to all this We, like the
Uuion- Herald are in favor of eecting the best
man to the office of Governor, but we are not
in favor of electny any of those politicians
who have been connected with the administra-
ton since 1865.
There arc good, honest and true men in the
Republican ranks-men who can show clear
records. Now, if reform is actually meant, why
not nominate one of these, and we wager that
the entire people, both Conservatives and Re
nublicans, would elect him, and be we'll pleased
with the result. ANY other than good and
honest man be nominated, then our faith in the
advocates of reform is lost forever. Every man
who lives upon and derives subsistence from
the soil of South Carolina, be he white Or COL
orCu, ShOulu ll'.Nc lt9 "0''ie9' i'i'oN " 1900 y
and should by his influence and example, strive
to do all in his power for the wel!-bc!ng ana
prosperity OF the dear old State II tins Is the
beginning Of political reformation, why arc
so many men seeking office? We arc very
much afraid that gain has more to 20 WITH IL
than benefit to the State; yet we hope not, ioI
we would like to see something done that would
better our condition. The way things are stu,
ated at present, no assistance from the General
Government need be expected, unless in the
event chat the State be declared in insurrectlon
or opcn rebellion. The whole country has
lost faith in South Carolina, through the vile
actions of her political leaders. But lctu hope
for reform and better time SOON.
If reform is to be brongh about at all,
let it it be genuine and universal: Let
party lines be disregardcd, and let the en-
lire pcoplc, in their imperial might, lnstl-