The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-12-17
Our Columbia Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, s. c., Dec. IL, 18

without to some extent repeating what has
been seen already by your readers. Some two
weeks ago the people of South Carolina felt
hopeful of better things from the able and
manly inaugural of Gov. Chamberlain but
many, and some of them who were the most
hopeful, have already begun to doubt his. abili-
ty to carry out his professions. The indica-
tions are that he is surrounded by ring of
Radical extremists, whose influence is against
everything tending to reform. These, more
conscious of the means by which they were
hoisted into power, have arrayed themselves
against the Governor and his reform measures,
hoping thereby to maintain their hold upon
the treasury and throat of South Carolina. Of
course the Governor has around him number
offriends, butitis generally acknowledged, even
by his warmest supporters, that without the
assistance OF the Conservatives, all his efforts
for reform will be abortive. This sransposition
OF parties presents the curious anomaly Of the
party which put him in power going back upon
even his first utterances, and the party which
opposed him 30 bitterly supplying the place of
the deserters. A good deal of hope was enter
tanned that the Independent Republicans would
combine with the Conservatives, they being
under obligations to the latter, who were in
strumental in placing them in power, but such
hope is dead now, even in the breast of the
most sanguine; like the dog, they have re-
turned to their vomit, and feeling doubtful of
their political status, they have become very
ultra, in order to reinstate themseyes into their
party.
An Independent Republican the other day
when the Liquor License Law was under dis
cussion in the House, advised his party to be
careful; that it was opposition to liquor which
lost to the Republicans the States of New York
and Massachusetts,, and they had better learn
lesson from these States, and go in at once
for whiskey. The bill passed the House, and
provides that the County Commissioners of
each county may grant license to any person
outside of incorporated towns and cities, on
payment of from fifty to seventy-fve dollars.
On Wednesday, Leslie and Keith made very
bitter partisan speeches, evidently looking to
the election of Judge on the following Friday,
in which they called on their members to stand
by their party for party sake, and alluded to
past measures and men in very bitter terms.
The test vote was taken and stood, Republi-
cans, rs; Conservatives, 32 Thus ended the
days work, and with it ended all hopes of re-
form, unless it comes from another source than
the combination of Independents and Conserv-
atives; such a hope is now myth of the
past.
1t is not possible for one who s not particu-
larly informed to conceive of the vast amount
of thieving rascality which has been carried
on under the former administrations. For in
stance, at the last session claim for committee
room rent for 81 900 was rendered by Mr.. Har:
dy Solomon. Upon examination it was found
that the room had never been used as COM
mittee room, but had been used as lodgings by
one of the delegations. Also, claim by the
same party for 81 800 for stationary, when it
was ascertained TO have been spent for liquor
and cigars. These are fair specimens of the
claims that have been presented, and paid BY
the Taxpayers of the State.
The Conservatives have had no power to stop
them heretofore, but if Mr.. Chamberlain will
help to put stop to these abominable practi-
ces, it makes no difference what his motives
are, let the people not refuse to help. Under
the circumstances the good people of South
Carolina would be justifable in cooperating
with the devil himself, if by so doing the insa-
tiate cormorsnts which have 80 long preyed
upon the very life-blood of the citizens of this
State could be brought to punishment.
The election for Judge of the 1st Circuit
took place on Friday, the 11th inst, and all
the powers of the several parties were concen-
trated in this fght-it being generally conced-
ed that which ever party (the administration
or the ultra s0;ng) that won the fight would
control the legislation of the present session.
Strange as it may appear, it 1au unquestiona-
bly, fact, that upon the little election Of
Judge, in the little State of South Carolina,
rested the political future of United States.
Should Mr. Chamberlain succeed, reconstruc-
ton would be considered success, and should
he fail, it would be failure, and with its fail
ure would come the attending consequences.
Were it not that South Carolina was the bone
of contention, and her suffering people would
have to suffer even more than they have en-
dured in the light of the above it might seem
better in the future that the Governor should
fail; but such a thought is not to be enter
tanned an instant, for it is the duty of the
Conservatives to stand up for reform, let it
come from what soever party it may.
A great deal of excitement prevailed when
the joint assembly went into the election, and
the exact result could by none be foretold.
When the calling of the roll was completed,
Reed had 70, Whipper Sc and Baker lS; but
changes commenced to be made Immediately
and when the vote was announced, Mr.. Reed