The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-06-04
south Carolina Takes Another Turn.

We hope, tor the sake OF human nature,
there is no man whose heart is so callous that
be can wish the lately rebellious people OF the
Southern States to be punished or humiliated
beyond the treatment which they have received
at the hands of their carget-bag" rulers. The
steady and demoralizing torture to which
they have been subjected would seem to be
sufficient to melt the stoutest heart and reduce
to humility the most impenitent rebel. The
administrations of most of the Southern States
have been absolutely tireless in usurping ex-
traordinary powers and in robbing the treasu-
ries. One after another these States have
furnished history with some of the most ois-
graceful incidents that ever characterized any
kind of government, and no sooner has the
list been apparently exhausted than the Incl
dents are repeated as regularly as cogs in
wheel approach a given point IN their revolu-
tion. Arkansas having retired from view,
South Carolina is called upon to take her turn
again in the pillory of public opinion. The
star actor in this latest affair is the Governor
of that State, Mr.. F. J. Moses. He is not un-
known to fame for the leading parts he has
played before. He has risen rapidly from
nobody, through various offices, to the Govern
orship. He was very conspicuous under Gov
ernor Scott as Speaker of one House OF the
Legislature, in which capacity he exercised his
peculiar talent" for legislation. 1t was in
great part through his influence that the debt
of the State was increased by many millions OF
dollars for no conceivable public object. At
the same time it was remarkable that this able
financial manager, upon a salary OF two or
three thousand dollars, in five or six years ac-
cumuated large fortune. But, rapacious as
he was, he also INDUCED in dreams of empire;
he loved money much for its own sake, but
not so much Us for promoting his personal
power in politics. What were riches to him
without honors2 When the power of Gov.
Scott began to wane, the people who had heard
of his lieutenant were somewhat startled to
learn that Moses had come out fedged re-
former. He deplored the extravaganza and
corruption Of past years, and promised re-
trenchment. With these promises, and with a
liberal sowing of his money, he obtained the
Republican nomination and the election Of
himself for Governor. The emphatic common
tary in his reformatory profession is that the
cost of the State government Is much greater
than ever before; and the fact that he has
lately been adjudged ban krupt, speaks loudly
of the means lie used to obtain political pro-
motion. The latest act in his career is not
worse than many others; but once upon the
downward grade and every act tells against
fellow like Moses. His money procured him
'>S@S.'
don him. He is charged with conspiring to
rob one of the county treasures to pay his
debts. The county treasurer, who was his CO.
conspirator, became defaulter for $685. 900, of
which Moses is said to have received Sc, 600.
1t may be urged as a comparatively favorable
circumstance, that Moses manifested the least
desire to pay his debts, and also that he took
the smallest share of the plunder The law,
however, is merciIess, and the officers threat
ened to prosecute him for larceny. They went
to arrest him, and he called out the colored
militia, who stood guard over this sample
Southern Executive, defying the sheriff with
fixed bayonets," while they were regaled with
champagne and cold chicken in the Executive
apartments Finally, however, the attorney of
Moses advised him tc r4omit, and he so far
condescended as to surrender himself to the
coroner instead of to the sheriff. This was
suggestive compromise, for the people of South
Carolina have had more than one good reason
before to wish that the coroner might perform
his graceful offices on Moses. Poor South
Carolina! we may well exclaim Where this
will end no one eau tell. Ruined with taxa
tion; oppressed by foreign spectators; dis,
graced by the loss of credit-her cup seemed
full before the Governor was arrested for larce,
nv. If there is lower depth to be reached
by any people, it is possible that South Caro-
Ian may find it.-Nec York Erening Post.