New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-09

A close contest and perhaps revolution IN
South Carolina politics may now be expected.
The Conservative Convention has determined
to make no nomination, but recommends the
support of the ticket of the Independent Re-
publicans, upon platform confined to meas
ures of reform. The estimates OF the strength
of the bolt from the regular Republican NOM
nations give sufficient addition to the Con-
seryative ranks to carry the election. Every
thing now depends upon the heartiness with
which the Independent candidates are sup
ported by the white voters.
Owners of property in Brooklyn are COM
planning bitterly of increasing taxes ana
assessments Economy is the order OF the
day in all other business, but extravaganza
still rules in the government OF that city.
While rents were falling with dull times, and
the means of paying taxes were everywhere
reduced, the salaries of officials were doubled,
and new loads were placed on the citizens in
the shape of heavy assessments, amounting In
some cases to confiscation. 1t has become
saying in Brooklyn that the more property a
man owns the poorer he is. We give in
another column some details Of the decline in
the value Of real estate which has resulted.
Rarely is a verdict obtained so promptly on
q second trial as in the case of Phelps, the
defaulting cashier of the State Treasury.
Last Monday afternoon the jury in the first
trial were discharged, failing to agree. To-
| day we have the news of a verdict from
second jury, to which all the former evidence
and some new had been presented. This
prompt administration of justice is creditable
| to Judge Westerbrook's court. The case is OF
Importance as precedent for convlctng
official defaulte,s of the crime OF larceny,
which carries with it appropriate disgrace and
punishment. Phelps will also be tried on q
separate Indictment for forgery.
An address prepared by Committee of
leading colOred citizens of New-Orleans shows
that the Kellogg party can no longer rely on
them for support. They begin to see the need
of reform, and propose to take active meas
ures to effect it. If they are in earnest, and
do not scatter their forces, they may either
name the candidates of the opposition as the
Independent Republicans have done in South
| Carolina, or give material aid to the Con-
servatives by combining on some of their
candidates. Either way the improvement in
Louisiana politics which would result from
the freeing of the negro from the Kellogg
ring, is thing to be wished for.
A publication of Federal offices at the South
is resolved upon. 1t will come none too soon.
Investigations in Texas, to begin with, are
reported as disclosing deplorable amount Of
official corruption. The whole country will be
heartily with the President, Secretary BristOw
aud Postmaster General Jewell. in turning
thieves out of Office, prosecuting them, and
filling their places with honest men. 1t is the
first step and a long one toward successful
management of the Treasury and the Post
Office to conduct them on sound business
principles; getting rid of dishonest and inca
pabe employees, without reference to the poll
ticians whom they serve. We hope the work
III Texas will be as prompt and thorough as is
promised, and that it will rapidly extend to
| other States