The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-30
THURSDAY MORNING, SEPT. 80, 1875.
Charleston Politics.

peared in these columns two weeks ago,
commenting upon the mixed condition
of politics in Charleston. When we
wrote the article alluded to, the News
and Coarier was on the fence, or at least
seemed to be, in regard to the municipal
election, but it has now unmasked its
batteries, and is opening along the line
in favor of re-electing Mayor Cunning
ham, who was regarded by that paper
only two years ago as unworthy of public
trust and confidence, when it was giving
a hearty support to his present opponent,
Gen. John A. Wagner.
Our Charleston contemporary says we
are blind Ito the fact that it is more sim
gular and quite incomprehensible that
Anderson County, which has large
Democratic majority, should be repre-
sented in the State Senate by an indie
pendent Republican" and that "the
reasons which induced a majority in
Anderson to elect one of the minority
to the Senate are unknown to U.s." The
fact is easily explained on the ground
that the people of Anderson, to some
extent, have been following the advice
and counsel of the Ne,cs and Courier, in
seeking cooperation with Republicans
for the public good! The methods by
which it was accomplished are well
known to our readers, and We will not
recapitulate the events of the last cam
paign, only to volunteer the information
for the Meus and Courier that there was
no regular organization among the Dem
ocrats, and at mass meeting it was
agreed that neither party should make
nominations for legislative and county
officers. The Republican candidate for
Senator pledged himself to vote for
Green and MCGOWAN, and doubtless re-
deemed that pledge, but his party fol-
lowers went solidly almost for Chamber
lain and Hoge; and this was the sum
total Of Independent Republicanism in
Anderson County, which resulted in
decided advantage" to the minority, in
this instance. There was sufficient "co-
operation" with this Independent Re-
publican to elect him to the Senate, and
the result is due to the compromising
spirit 80 much lauded just now by the
Ne,ns and Courier. We are not respon-
sible for this state of things, for we have
consistently and unwaveringly advocated
the most thorough, complete and efficient
organization in Anderson County, and
the main distractions were always result
ing from the teachings and counsel of the
Neaos and Courier, whose adherents in
this section were constantly parading its
arguments and exalting its wisdom. 1t
is proper to say that we have acquiesced
more than once, and joined our political
friends in committing hari-kari, but never
without remonstrance in advance of their
decision. So much for the situation in
Anderson County.
At the risk of giving fresh offence to
our. sensitive contemporary, which re-
serves it's rebukes for the Anderson Intel
kgepcer when other journals were COM
nenting upon the anomalous condition
of parties in Charleston, we will take
occasion to say that the present attitude
Of the Conservatives in that city does
not mend matters, in our Judgment, and
that proper efforts might have brought
different results. For instance, at the
Wagner primary election, only a small
proportion of voters participated, when
full vote would have certainly defeated
the Wagner candidates, if that was de-
sirable, and if the assumption is true
that Gen. Wagner does not represent
the Conservatives as a whole. That was
the time to settle the question whether
OF not Wagner and his friends were to
control the organization. But not one
word was heard from the Neaus and C0u-
rier while this question was pending, and
not until the candidates for Mayor were
arrayed against each other, was the mask
removed, and its position in the munich
pal election made only too apparent.
Now, the declaration is made that there
must be no disturbance of the co-opera-
ton with Independent Republicans, be-
cause, forsooth, it might endanger plans
and purposes ulterior and remote from
the city election, to wit, the election of a
Circuit Judge. But who is it that author
lied and concocted this present alliance
with Independent Republicans? Surely,
it will not be contended that the State
Convention last fall had the municipal
election of Charleston in view when the
policy of cooperation with one wing Of
the Republicans was determined upon i'll
that campaign. The policy was shaped
for the occasion, and future State Con
vention may deem it wise and prudent
to forego that policy in the next canvass.
According to the Neacs ant Courier, there
has been no regular Conservative Con-
yentiOn so far. and vet that journal insists