New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-31
denounces Chamberlain as renegade and Demo

crat. The attitude OF other prominent hepnD1cans
toward the Governor is, to say the least equiyocal
for instance the present Attorney General, Melton.
All these elements, whether openly or in Disguise,
are now regarded as arrayed against the Reform
policy and it will readily be that such cppo-
sition is by no means insignificant Indeed, it en-
braces nearly all the money and the rascaty of this
corrupt Administration party in South Carolina
THE FIGHT IN TIE LEGISLATURE
succinct narrative Of the leading events OF the
last session of the General Assembly will give the
best idea of the actual position of things here The
| present Legislature is composed. including both
Houses of LOG members, divided politically into 3o
Democrats, about 30 Independents Green Repub-
licans, and about 90 Regular Republicans. OF the
whole number about 50 are colorcd. As regards
| Chamberlan's administration it may in general,
be said that the IS Democrats with about 10 indie
pendent Republicans and about 80 or 80 Regular
| Republicans are his warm supporters. j DO not
think that at any time he could count on majority
of the Regular Republicans in any straight issue be-
tween corruption and honesty Such being the case.
the Governor has been powerless to enforce his
recommendations by new and positive legislation.
Thus it is urged by his friends, his work has been
| greatly crcumscribed.
The first open and determined contest between the
Governor and his former supporters Of the Patter-
son-W hpper stripe occurred in the election of
Judge for the Charleston Circuit, the most important
! judicial dis.ret in the State. Whipper, a we'll
known and by no means highly respected coored
man. member Of the Legislature from 1865 to 1872,
desperate gambler with no knowledge of law be-
yond the molicum necessary to try minor case IN
an inferior court, bold. plib-tongued and with an
unfortunate reputation for vcnality put himself for
ward, and evidently anticipated an easy victory.
The Governor. with the better class Of his party,
turned with disgust from Whpper, and determined
TO support the Hon. J. p. Reed, an up-cOuntry
lawyer Of ability and character, and liberal II not
Republican in political sentiments. WhlPper
announced a public caucus of Republicans, at which
he challenged the friends Of the other candidates to
meet him and his supporters in discussion. Inc Reed
men were undecided as to going into this caucus.
The Governor not only advised them to accept the
challenge, but dis,nayed his friends by announcing
his intention of gong in person and opposing
Vhppcr in a speech. Whipper led off with a char
acterstic address appealing to of his own color
TO supDort him. The Governor then took the plat
form. AID in an hours speech denounced Whpper
as incompetent and corrupt. lie was inter-
rupted and badgered and abused, but held
his own without hinching. This undoubtedly
demanded courage. In the history Of recon-
strnctiOn il was an unheard-Of step to de-
nounce a leading colOred man IN party four
fths or more of whose members were cGi0red
voters and in addition to that to support man not
identified with the Republican party. It seemed an
act of political Madness. The result showed, how
ever that even in the Legislature OF South Carolina
there is power il bold and upright action. The
Democrats who, M 10 the time Of this speech, had
looked upon the contest with indifference, now
to a man rallied and Reed was elected by fair
majority The consequences Of this first light were
two-f ID: good JUDGE was secured, and a corrupt
politician defeated, and il was further demon
strated that the friends OF the Governor were able
to hwart the plans of the Patterson-W hppeT Clique
A similar coue L occurred later in tie session. with
Ike result. On tie death OF Chamberlain o9po-
uent. judge Green, Gov. Moses presented HIM
self as a candidate for the vacancy on the bench
HIS father the present ChelJUs.ice of the state
was active in soliciting votes for his son, and am
assured endeavored TO use lis official and PERSONAL
influence TO injuce the Governor not to oppose him.
Il Is further stated tia. lie did actually obtain from
Acknowledgement Melton pledge OF support Tor
him in his candidacy for 4 judeeship. The result
was the election Of A. J. Shaw, a Democrat. an NJ
right and able lawyer. Thus IN one session have
the Reform party placed on the bench two judges
who are giving uniyer al satisfaction TO al VINO
are Interested in the peace aud welfare OF the state
In matters Of lecisaton such positive results
have been reached. Tie Governor and his sup
porters have only been able to prevent bad eglsa-
ZION Tie frst instance II which a d.lt renee a-ose
between the Governor and majority Of The Legis-
lature was upon Tie Legislative Appropriation Ll.Lny
which $4,000 were appropriated tor the expenses
of the session. This was fully p1o,OuO beyond 4
reasonable limit ana $4,000 IN excess OF the tax
levied for that purpose. The Old vicious system Of
d sbursinr his money on The orders of tle preceding
officers of the two Houses continued, and large
sum was likewise placed under the familiar head Of
..contiuccnts' The Governor hesitated, but signed
the bill with a statement IF his olections-a course
which led to the sarca-m that " he gave excellent
reasons FOR not doing just what he did do Il is
generally thought that the Governor here tailed Ia
his duty, but do not lind that he is charged with
either cowardicc or improper motives. lie was
doubtless sincerely anxious not to break with Als
party and probably felt that as Tie bill was great
improvement upon the appropriation bills OF former
wears il might be best 10 allow il 20 pass. II The
Governor hoped conciiate his enemies he soon dis
covered his mistake, and learning wisdom ly expert
ence theucelorth, according to general testimony.
he acted vigorously and openly in opposition TO all
bad legislation.
REFORM By VETO.
find that Gov. Chamberlain vetoed four lead
! ing and important hills duFng the session and now
holds for veto Al tie next session other the Sup
ply bill. The first important veto was that of bin
TO render valid the outstanding claims against the
county OF Edgefeld, measure which bore on its
face evidence of fraud and which was calculated 70
increase the disorders il. that county, then on the
brink of anarchy. Following this came the bill
which required that the state Treasurer should de-
post all State moneys in TWO specified banks in
Columbia, instead of placing them IN such
banks as the Stare Officers might from time
TO time designate This was a direct blow at the
Governor, who upon coming into office had been III
flential in causing the removal of 4 large part Of
these deposits from the bank Of Hardy Solomon in