The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-16
The Charleston Election.

Tho condition of political parties in the
city of Charleston, as developed by the
| municipal canvass now in progress, is
quite singular and almost incomprehen-
sible. Everything seems topsy-turvy,
and it is hard to tell the exact stu alton
of affairs, except that the Radicals as
usual will largely profit by the confused
attitude of the Conservatives. An eflolt
was recently made to organize the Con-
servative party by the friends of Gen.
John A. Wagener, who was their choice
for Mayor, and for time there seemed
prospect Of success, with respectable
numbers and influence to strengthen the
movement. 1t soon became apparent
that this movement was strongly sup
ported by the notorious Bowen, who is
exceedingly hostile towards the present
Mayor, Mr.. Cunningham, who was cleo
ted by the Republicans. This fact opera
ted against the friends Of Wagener, and
diminished their strength considerably.
At the election held last week for dele
gates to the nominating convention, the
Bowcnites rallied to the polls, and claim
ed the right as members Of the COnser-
vative party to vote for delegates, when
it was well known that many Of them
were Republicans of tho baser sort.
This right was conceded to them in many
instances by the managers, and their
votes helped to elect delegates in the in
terest of Gen. Wagencr, who was subso-
quently nominated for Mayor. The
vote at the primary election was exceed
ingly slim, however, and a portion of
that vote was cast against the Wagener
delegates. After the choice Of delegates
in this unusual manner, nearly one-half
of the executive committee of the Con-
servative party resigned their positions,
on the ground that the election did not
truly represent the voice Of their con-
stituents.
Such is the situation of affairs on the
one hand, and tits equally unsatisfactory
when we come to examine the position
of the Conservatives who are opposed to
the Wagcner faction. Mayor Cunning
ham is expected to be the regular nomi-
nee of the Republicans, and will be sup
ported by the Mackey wing, who will in
turn secure considerable number of
votes from the Conservatives, especially
as it is plainly intimatcd that a mixed
ticket Of Aldermen will be nominated to
catch the unwary and indignant. The
real fight is between tho Mackeyitcs and
the Bowenites, while tho Conservatives
are used to help one wing or the other to
retain power and control Of the city.
The reason for this anomalous condi-
ton is All utter want of organization
among the Conservatives. A compact,
efficient and thorough organization
would be able to dictate terms to the
wranglinS Republicans, and maintain
good government. Instead, there is the
humliating spectacle Of large numbers
dangling at the tails of tho respective fac
tions led by Bowen and Mackcy, while
the main body are utterly hopeless and
helpless. 1t is Il dcplorablc fact that
whenever these coalitions arc made by
the Conservatives, no one can he found
who is responsible for tho result, and
good people are made to drift into them
without knowing the consequences of
their own action. Supineness and apathy
produce just such results, and, even
when divided among themselves, the Re-
publicans are always sufficiently organ
lied and drilled to take every advantage
of the Struggling Conservatives, who are
made to do the necessary voting, while
their political opponents reap the solid
rewards.