New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-08
SOUTH CAROLINA.
.ALIENT FEATURES OF THE REFORM
MOVEMENT.

MON EMENl.
xyppEN MEANING OF THE ON THE STATE
TRKASURER-ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNOR AND
OF THE pRNocRATs-THE SUITS AGAINST
PARKER-A TALK WITH THE ACcUsED-REFoRM-
IN COUNTY oFFICEs-ENoRMoUs APPOINTING
POWER OF THE GOvERNOR-CoNFLICTING
VIEWS AS TO THE MOTIVES OF THE GOVERNOR
ALLEGED ULTFRIoR PURPOSES OF THE REFORM
MovEMENr-ITs GENERAL GOOD RESULTS.
IRON STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE']
COLUMBIA s. c., May 25.-One Of the most sig
nifcant events of the last session OF the Legsla-
ture was the long and bitter controversy over the
State Treasurer Cardozo. This controversy bore TO
Gov Chamberlain and his administration relations
which do not appear on the surface. Cardozo is
mulattO of fine appearance smooth speech, easy
manners and withal man of reputed wealth. Ills
record was not without stain, but whatever his
ofenses they covered with vail of decency
II he had srayed in forbidden paths his tracks were
hidden so carefully that everybody admitted that
Cardozo at least had some remains of q conscience.
At all events he was a most pronounced supporter
of the Governor, siding with him openly
in his attack on Whpper when candi-
date for the Charleston judgeship. He was thought
70 have great influence with the Governor
and as he held the purse-strings, few of the old
time practices in the Treasury cOuld be renewed
while he and the Governor were united in their
policy. OtDer CdustS ioi ht'"' VII
existed in what was supposed to be the rivalry of
Cardozo and Speaker Elliott for future political
honors A combined attack made Ostensibly
upon him. but in reality the object aimed at appears
TO have been the weakening of the influence OF the
Governor and the ultimate overthrow OF his efforts
for reform 1t ought to he sad in justice, that some
and perhaps not a few of those who at hrst
Joined in the attack honestly convinced OF his
improper conduct but seems to be clear that the
chief influence purpose on the part OF the cor
ruptonists TO place in the Office of Treasurer an
enemy of the Governor. Certainly Chamberlain and
his friends so regarded it, and on the principle of
choosing the less of evils threw themselves into
the fight for Cardozo with all their power. The
Republicans were so divided that the decision of the
contest remained with the Democrats. They had
absolute power TO effect the removal of Cardozo
An address TO the Governor asking for his removal
was prepared and put on its passage The trial. with
its preliminary discussions and Investigations &C.
cupied fully six weeks. Cardozo was defended by
the ablest Democratic and Republican lawyers OF the
State and in the end was acquitted. Policy had
good deal to do with the result, but the fact that
the Democrats, with the exception, think, of three
votes in both Houses, and all of the Governors
friends voted in favor of CardozO may be accepted
~ strong evidence that in this fight he represented
the honest element. The general effect of this
heated contest was TO strengthen the cause of Re-
FORM inasnuch as out of the facts thus developed
the recent and pending suits against ex-Treasurer
Parker have grown, and furthermore, the "coheslve
power of public plumber" was not added TO the
weapons in the hands of the cOrruptionists.
Ex-TREAsUREK PARKER IN JAIL.
Parker is now in Jail awaiting the issue of certain
civil suits instituted against him by the Sinking
Fund Commissioners. One of these cases was called
few days ago, but neither plaintiff nor defendant
appeared to be very anxious for trial; yet the lat
ter's counsel are decidedly opposed to having their
client kept @ prisoner during the hot Summer
months and the Court manifested its appreciation of
their position by agreeing to hold special term
early in June for the trial of the cause. visited
Parker in Jail. and found him in good health and
spirits but chatting under confinement, and dreading
the effect upon his health. WhenI entered his cell
he was in conversation with his son. who has re-
Gently returned from q tour in Europe The pris-
oner declared that neither of the suits against him
could be sustained for a moment in court he bad
faithfully discharged his duties as Treasurer of
the State and claimed the confidence the
present Governor when the latter was Attorney
General he had no fear of any evidence that might
be raked up in NewYOrk or elsewhere he chal-
enged the closest scrutiny of all Of his official acs
the bail exacted of him G$10O,0O0 was excessive,
but he could probably raise it, he not disposed
TO take the shortest road to final hearing of ms
case the charges against him were "trumpcd up"
in the hope that he might be induced to tell some
thing on somebody else, but he had no story TO tell
he had made money while in office, but it was at
time when any body with his eyes open could specu
late with profit and he had never made dollar dis
honestly; the purpose was to make him a seapegoat
for the sins of the Republican party in South Caro-
Ina but the effort would result in failure Other
persons with whom talked have not the same con-
fdence in Parkers acquttal but the opinion is gen.
eral that there is air of persecution about his
prosecution, while the names of so many known Off
cia robbers are carefully kept out of the courts.
The feeling is the same that pervades the masses
when any "good-hearted and liberal fellow" what
ever may be his Ofense falls into the clutches of the
law.
IMPROVED CHARACTER OF LOCAL OFFICERS.
While the Legislature has been the principal field
of conflict between the friends Of Reform and the
supporters of corruption, some work OF Importance
has been accomplished outside of the legislative
halls. Gov Chamberlain has endeavored to make a
change for the better in the appointments to office
throughout the State, and certainly reform was
needed in this respect much in any other. The
appointing power of the Governor of South Carolina
is relatively enormous, and i'll the days OF Scott and
Moses it was welded only for the furtherance of the
pecunary and political ambition of these bad men.
learn from Gov. Chamberlain that he has within
his gift not less than FIVE hundred Offices Of consider
able importance, including county treasmers,
county auditors trial justices, and census takers.
Most of these officers subject 10 the confirmation
of the Senate, and the Governor had much difficulty
from that cause. On occasion he addressed
Q message to the Senate in Executive session,
which was afterwards made public. In this
document he boldly announced that he would not
appoint men who in his judgement not quail
fed even il the offices remained vacant and further,