New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-31
SOUTH CAROLINA.
SPIRIT AND PROGRESS OF THE REFORM
MOVEMENT.

THE ERA OF PRoFfIGACY AND CORRUPTI0 N
Gov CHAMBERLAIN AS A RECOMMENDS FIGHT
WITH THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOL
LOWERS ARRAYED AGAINST TIE GOVERNOR
RECORD OF THE LAST OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF THE DEMOCRAIs-THE VETO BATTLES.
TyRok STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBuyE.l
COLUMBIA S. c., May 25.-The fortunes of South
Carolina always invested with a certain degree
of public interest. Her conspicuous place in all the
crises of our history has always drawn attention 10
her, whether she commanded admiration, OF aroused
hatred, excited pity. In recent days the readers
Of THE TRIBUNE have been made familiar with what
may be called the era of profiigacy and corruption
in public affairs in the Palmetto State. These were
the days when public offices, from United States
Senatorship to a Trial Justiceship, bought and
sold when 81, 10000 of debt were added to the
burden of the people, with absolutely nothing that
can now be shown for it when the possession of an
Office with salary of 81, 600 the occasion of
style of living and expenditure which II
vailed those Of the millionaire; VIXEN par
dons for crimes were made the means of
soliciting votes: When in a word carnival of mis-
rule exhausted the State and brought her to con-
dftion which appalled, Tie most stOlid advocate OF
1.-THE policy of hate." The stranger who now looks
upon South Carolina finds himself called upon TO
paint another phase of her wonderful experience
phase which may be Justly called effort 10 check
the tide of corruption and TO restore reason and
honesty TO their long abandoned places To describe
the movement III its varied FORMS and especially TO
discover the forces-hidden and avOwed-that i'm
pei and govern it, is no slight task. Still less Is it
practicable now to predict the result which 1t VIII
finally work out Bat it is possible, although 1t has
not heretofore been done, to lay before the public
some of its most prominent features.
BEGINNING or THE REFORM MOVEMENT.
The movement which in South Carolina bears the
familiar and much-abused name Of Reform, began
with the Inauguration of Gov. Chamberlain on the
LIST of December last. Il viii be remembered that
the campaign which resulted in the election of
Chamberlain was OF great excitement and bitter
nes Chamberlain was the nominee OF the Regular
Republican Convention, body having little claim
upon the confidence of the people, and was supported
by some of the best and certainly most OF the worst
men of his party 4 comparatively small number of
the better Republicans reinforced by part OF the
baser clements, who probably conectured that their
new allies would readily grant them immunity for
past offenses in return for their political influence
broke away from the regular Convention and nom
mated Judge John T. Green, a worthy man, but I'M
influential and of moderate ability. The Democratic
partv-that is the white citizens gcnerally-nadc no
nomination, but heartily supported Green rs Offer
ing the best apparent chance Of defeating The regu-
lar party Radical candidate. The result was
the election of Chamberlain by a majority
of about 1000. in place Of the $1,000
for Scott four years before and of more than 10000
for Moses two wears before. This change was caused
both by the detection of colored Republicans Of indie
pendent proclivities and an increase OF about the
same extent in The white voters who, in despair, had
not voted at any previous election since 1863. 1t
may be fairly conceded that the platform OF
the regular Republican party was mainly IN
exceptionable the third-term resolution was not a
7a~t Of ii AID that Chamberlain III ali his speeches
and public utteranccs declared his purpose Of carry
ing the plat form into prac ice. But his opponents
with some cause, dI5trusted has purposes and proIs-
sions. and especially distrusted the men who sur
rounded him, and who it vas not donbted, would.
control him. These men bore familiar names-Pat-
terson. Warrington. WhittemoTe Leslie, WIlippcr.
Eowen-in fact i was true, and the Governor VIII
hardly deny IT, that large majority OF the plumber
ers of former days were Lis ardent support rs.
Chamberlain in Lis inaugural address declared his
resolve TO adhere 70 the pledges Of the campaign.
Indeed he went further ana in a series OF specific
recommendations indicated a plan for a thorough
reformation Of the abuses which then prevailed.
Among other thn-s he declared hat the tax system
was wantOnly oppressive, and Tat tie assessments
were capricious and excessive in order to cover up
The real extent Of the burden Of taxation lie char
acterzed the scale Of public expenditures as grossly
cxtravagant and unnecessary, AID pdTtle ula.ly
he pointed ont the Importance Of cutting on
tie abominable practice Of almost m
limited contingent funds" which IN the
preceding six years had risen 10 S376OOo lie also
attacked the system OF Legislative expenses, showing
that these expenses had in SIX years amounted to
Gar. ans
were ample for all the real needs of the State. lie
denounced the mode in which legislative expenses
were incurred and paid by the simple orders Of the
n-e,idinr officers Of the two Houses, for which no
vouchers were filed or preserved. and recommended
that all such expenses should be duly audited by the
Controller-Gener and the vouchers permanently
fled in flat functonarys Office. The system Of pub
lie printing perhaps the most intolerabe outrage OF
all he denounced in unsparing terms, characierlZng
il az INCAPABLE Of defense or excuse, and he
showed that the cost Of public printing for three
Years was S543, O00-an annual AVERAGE OF $751;
0OO He recommended the reduction OF
the number and salaries Of officers, State and county
the election of Justices Of the Peace by the people
and also OF County Treasurcrs and Auditors. These
mara ;r,oortaut recommendations are enumerated
As well TO show the extent of the field for reform as
70 present comprehensive statement Of the pro-
aranme marked ont by the Governor rs the means
of carving into practice his own and his partys
professions. OF course such declarations were re-
ceived with incredibly, and none were more nored
ulous than the men who had worked the hardest 10
secure bis election, and who accustomed 10 re-
gard promises and breach of promise as alike mat
ter of course with politicians.
THE BREAK BETWEEN cHAMBERIAlN AND HIS PARTY
As soon as it became apparent that for some reason
the Governor was going TO take the side of honesty
the break between him and those who were his lead
ing supporters was undisguised. Everywhere ne
was denounced and opposed by the corruphonsts,
but the Legislature, then in session was the princ
nal field of conflict. Here those who really wanted