New-York tribune., 1874-04-13
SOUTH CAROLINA MISRCLE.

NEED OF INVESTIGATION BEFORE CONGRESS.
HELP MUST CONE FROM THE LEADERS AT THE
N0RTH-noNEsT VOTERS IN SLOUGH OF Dr.
sPoND- ORGANIZED CORRUPTION IL POLITICS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: AS indicated by the memorial of the
Taxpayers Convention recently assembled at Columbia
South Carolina appeals to the Republican party OF
the North assistance in throwing of the yoke which
now threatens anDhate the prosperity or the state
Until the press helps to create better understanding o.
the existing condition of affairs IN this state. the mod
crate men OF either party do pat ile to retrieve
the errors OF the past.
The great mass OF the coOred not responsible
for the existing state OF affairs Instead of being bene-
fted they are materially injured but being ignorant
and poor. they depend for information and instruction
as regards all political matters their leaders They
are taught TO believe that these leaders are IN TIL
accord with the great Republican party to which they
are indebted for freedom. Their Organization into
leagues and clubs is asonishingly complete In each
county small clique regulates everything IN their own
interest and pressure is brought TO bear on any who
may be dissatisfied that brings them back into line
The perqustes of Office such to warrant the lead
ers Ia liberal expenditure to retain power.
Could the rank aud he OF this weildried army be
once convinced that the leaders who com?ris" the
Ring" are not supported by the Federal Government
and the Republican party OF the North they would ex
Office. No arguments influence them in opposition
TO their feay the Republican party The unloading
process must be begun at Washington As long as the
Ring influence the appointment OF Federal officers
In this state they can command the negro vote. In
Charleston Mr. Trott, moderate Republican, VINO en-
ioyed the confidence Of the whites to such an extent
that OF them other than the most
ultra OF the ofice-holders were urgent to retain
him. was displaced and a colored man substituted
I'm his place simply as political SO eiceut
had Mr. To been that the whites would have preferred
him to a Democratic appointee-were such an appoint
mept possible In this dstnc ct, when the census was
being taken tho writer Of this IN making his returns.
gave in answer OF the queries the sum OF $1,000
Noticing that the marshal had entered it as 1850 he
called attention to the error when the marshal replied
that il made no difference, lie had clerk 20 correct
mstakes nor did the marshal alter the figures. These
are not isolated Illustrations
Such a large proportion OF the socaled Republican
ofcas whether carpetbaggers scaawags, or negroes,
have proved wanting in principle that moderate men
are deferred from aflating with them. and Northern
Republicans WHO have settled in this STATE ana who
respeet themselves driven from the ranks OF the
party Thousands are ready and more than willing 20
cooperate with any party that will give them honest
administration Of affairs Why not, then, mix with the
negroes in their primary assemblies and nominate
othersi II is utterly useless to attempt To change the
negro vote until the Republicans OF the North emphai
cay dsayow the acts Of the Ring, and in such manner
as will reach the comprehension OF the negro. 50,
r. b. Elliott Is now urging n reform OF the party But
VIXEN IL recoected that two years ago ne of hs lnu
ence placed Frank Moses in the gnbefhatoral cbMr'
knowing ut that time the cbarac' ol .'oses anu
isug for Moses and his clique an honest adnlnlston
N a NOT To be wondered that ne does not ENJOY tue con
dence OF the thinking portion OF tlt' community.
obstacle to reform - tne 'co .'a '.o , @ ~ ~ ~
this State orsanzaton-nohe OF tne part. ma
chinery so efectual determining elections. Before
tine war political contests were generally decided Dy
the personal popularity OK the respective Eanaaia nr
There was a saying that when John C. Calhoun took
snnH ali south Carolina sDeeZed" Now the nano OF X
n Eott among the majority might be substituted Tor
that Of Calhoun' ID. .,,.. ,,. sor,..
IN consolidate the vote discourages the euort
of moderate To use cant phrase, the people are
under the huck and need enconragemen,, o.nce ,ns
war botn whites and blacks have an ehaS4.ia'en
,dra o the power the Federal Government. Tne III
enec are not confined SIMPLY to squanderng the tax
money aud Issuing bogus pohds anu paf fo,tuncstes'
ecctualy retdrding progress, ana preventing energetic
men from embarking IN enterprises whieh would
develop the latent resources OF the STARE Dl space
permit innumerable evidences OF TILE could be adduced
Wer. the south more prosperous, there would be a
larger demand for the manufactured wares Of the
North, and larger proportion OF the Fed
no await tue slow operation OF educating the gno
rant 10 . proper sense OF their duty aud interest will
enable the Ring u ruin the state irTetrievably. The
imu date action OF Congress aud the Northcr1 press s
of the utmost Importance Time enough has now
apscd for tho passions Ton both sdesl engcndeTed by
the war be- aayei. Tne report OF an unbiased Com
mttee appointed by Congress to investigate matters
"a re- would have an immediate effect IN inhnencng not
only the OF the people. but In restraining the Rag
That Committee shOuld consult ana take evidence rom
all parties, and not act merely IN partisan spirit Ia
this way foundation would be LAID for the renovation
OF the STATE. CITIZEN.
AIKEN, s. c., March IA 1874