The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-03-26
MFR. Elliot as a Reformer.

A correspondent of the Greenville Republican
discusses the fitness of Congressman Elllotas
political reformer, and makes some pertinent
inquiries on the subject:
Mr.. Elliot, after his eloquent appeals in be-
half of civil rights for the colored people on
the floor of Congress, comes home to South
Carolina and forthwith comes out IN the role OF
a "Reformer'' of the Republican party. He
has evidently not been Indifferent to the popu-
lar feeling which exists in the latitude OF wash
ington and among the honest members of the
Republican party generally in regard to the
misdoings Of the Republican party OF this
State, and, taking his cue from President
time to UNLOAD" in South Carolina has about
come.
tion in our ranks, and we are Of those VINO
think it high time that there should be such a
reformation. What we do object to, however,
Is Mr. Elliott's assuming the role of chief IN
such movement, and, by his eloquent speech
es here and in Congress, making the Republl-
can party North think that he is THE TT man
to lead in such movement.
We have no desire to bring up, for their own
sake. old memories of Mr.. Elliot's short COM
ings for the sake of showing that he has not
such record in the past as to inspire comb
dence for the future.
State, it is due to the cause of an honest ad-
ministration of public affairs, and it is due to
the people of this county, that they should
know something of the man who seems to ask
that he shall be entrusted with the leadership
of the cause of reform in the Republican party
of this State.
First. then, can M. Elliot or any of his
friends, point to ary public action of his since
he first came to South Carolina, which would
indicate that he really desired an honest ad-
rlinistration Of the government OF this State!
On the contrary has he not voted and worked
for the passage of some if not the most Of these
measures?
Did he not leave his seat in Congress to come
10 Columbia to work in the interes! OF COY
Scott when he was threatened with impeach-
ment, and did not his reward come In the
shape of q five thousand dollar payment out OF
the appropriation for the Armed Force Fund :?
In Congress did ne not vote 1or cne back
Paw Bill, and when he came home did ne not
boldly defend the measure in published let
ter. in which he sneeringly said he never ln-
tended to return his back pay into the public
Treasury?
State TO help increase the public debt by adding
to it hundreds of thousands of dollars m pay
certificates for the legislative session Of 1S7172,
which he as we'll as every one else OF common
intelligence, knew were issued 1or services
which were never performed, and in the names
of persons who had no possible connection
with the State Government?
And who did more than he to cause the cleo
ton Of the present State administration which
he is now so earnestly opposingY
We ask these questions because we want
some evidence on which to base our faith IN
Mr.. Elliots new promises.
We want something more than his DoTdS,
uttered before the campaign opens, to convince
rs of the fact that he is really in earnest In ms
desire to bring about such q change in the
affairs of this State as shall be reform in ear
nest and not reform in pretence merely.
We must confess to many doubts or Mr.
Elliot's sincerity. In fact, we believe his
talk and his eloquence mean little more than
chat change is needed, and it don't make
niueh difference what sort Of a change 1t is,
provided only that he shall derive some benefit
from it.
The reputation of most of the South Carolina
Republicans, unhappily; for us, IS not OF the
best outside Of our own State. TO shut our
eyes to this fact would be the stupidest blind
ness and folly. Our party pledges have been
broken too often. Our foremost men nave
often been too selfish and TOO corrupt to merit
anything but scorn from the world outside.
Six years of Republican administration here
have been six years of nisrule and contempt
for the rights and understandings of our politi-
cal adversaries, and even have compelled those
who would gladly lend US helping hand to
distrust and repel US.
Can we regain our lost vantage ground and
show that we can and will reform our own
errors? We think so and shall try and do our
part in this work. Mr.. Elliot may really mean
to do the same, but he must show aOorks OF re-
before we can look up to him as the rising man
in the new movement which Is TO result IN our
political publication.
REpURrICAN