The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-16
The Remedy in South Carolina.

Evidence continues to come in that our ex-
posures of the rascalities of the State officials
in South Carolina is bearing fruit. The guilty
officials themselves early began to vince, and
some of them undertook to defend themselves
by calling names at those who had given in
formation to our correspondent. To these We
have paid and shall pay little attention. We
do not vouch for the character Of all or of any
of the men from whom our very trusty and
diligent correspondent has sought to get the
truth He leaves us under no obligation to do
so, because the evidence he has furnished de-
pends on the veracity Of no one witness. 1t is
supported by the testimony of many, and by a
large number of facts which are publicly
known. If the men whom these facts accuse
expect to clear their skirts, they must do it in
some other way than by bringing charges
against their associates
Another item of proof, of no little value, in
showing that our exposures are doing good is
Slate are being indicted by the grand iuries of
their counties. The list already embraces the
following: Three in Edgefed County, four in
Clarendon, three in Williamsburg. besides the
county treasurer and the sheriff; three in
Georgetown County, and the clerk of the court
as we'll. The offences charged are various. In
one county the commissioners, of whom two
arc colored, are indicted for issuing illegal
checks with fraudulent intent. In other cases
fraud, corruption, malfeasance, purjury, defal-
cation aud misappropration Of funds are
charged and the clerk of the court mentioned
above is indicted for being "un6t and incom-
petent for the discharge of his duties" In
every instance these indictments have been
brought by grand juries made up in part, and
in several instances in ma ior part, of colored
men. These facts are very significant. We do
not know that the indictments will stand
it is probable that there is enough in
Auencc to be brought to bear on the courts,
and enough ingenuity to be employed in evad-
ing the law, to enable some OF the rogues to
escape. But here are nearly a score Of them
in different parts of the State brought to book
in way that shows that the people are ready
to use all the means in their power to rid them
selves of their oppressors and plunderers. In
South Caroliua if We mistake not, county com
missioners and county treasurers hold their
offices by appointment from the Governor In
any casc these indictments are the first blows
in fight against that chief of the thieves
which bids fair to be a determined one. II 1t
is so, it will be successful. Nothing could be
better for the State of South Carolina than Tor
its people to cast out the trangrcssors by means
|
hands. That would be not only great lmme-
date gain, but it would be warrant for future
safety. A community where the courts work,
in the long run, against evil doors, however
great the powers these may be, a State where
Justice is not cheated of its due, and where the
honest man gets his rights, can never be held
long under the yoke of corrupt men. The
Constitution of South Carolina gives the Gov
| lo, hop safely
be left in the hands of any one man, unless 1t
be in a community exceptionally intelligent
and watchful, which, certainly, South Carolina
is not But even with all his enormous power,
Moses would regard as very threatening oc-
currcnce the conviction and Imprisonment for
crime of score of his tools in the counties.
1t is to be hoped, therefore, that every legal
means will be taken to bring these dishonest
officials to justice :,
Beyond that, the last resort is at the polls.
And here we wish again to urge on the decent
Republicans of South Carolina that it Is their
| especial duty to lead in the political conflict.
! They now have evidence enough before them.
Moses announces his intention of seeking the
Governors Office again, as "vlndlcatlon' OF
his official career. ETe thus makes his own
| conduct, and that of the thieves with whom be
is associated, the main issue in the fall election
The challenge should be accepted. We have
now given facts enough to ruin any politician
up for office before people thoroughly in
formed of these facts. 1t is i'll the power OF
the honest Republicans in South Carolina to
fortify our statements, and to make the case
as strong as may be required. They have a
splendid opportunity to serve their State, and,
indeed, to serve the whole country, which de,
sres to see the nest of robbers so long sheltered
by the profession of Republicanism broken up
-MeW York Times.