The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-24
COLUMBIA, SC.
Wednesday Morning, March "a, 1876.
Senator Dunn Elected comptroIIer.cen

efaI. ~
The General Assembly, yesterday,
elected Hon. L. G. Dunn, the Senator
from Horny County, Comptroller General
by triumphant minority over MI candi-
dates on the first ballot Out of 1lO
votes in the joint assembly, he received
l27. Following 80 soon tho refusal by a
strong vote to adopt the address for the
removal Of the Treasurer-a measure
which sprung from the Investigations in
which Senator Dunn has been engaged
now for twelvemonth, and with which
he wns identified 40 the principal leader
in lit denotes n curious and not nm
gratifying result. The same influences
which spared the Treasurer in the one
case, have made his chief prosecutor his
official superior in the other, and puts
another check upon any tendency to
irregularity which may exist, It virtu-
ally says to Mr.. Cardozo, we were un-
willing to positively condemn you,
forming q part, as you do, of an admi-
nlstration to which we otherwise take no
exception, and which, on the contrary,
we cordially sustain; but we wish you to
understand that we have not endorsed
your management Of the Office of Trea-
surer, and that you must in the future
be on your ps and qs. 1t is an express
sion which hits the mean between oppro-
brious condemnation of the Treasurer
on the one hand, and cordial approval of
: him on the other. These votes, cast 80
positively in opposition, and yot so near
to each other, can only be explained
upon the supposition we have made.
That supposition implies the acquisition
of both the power of just discrimina-
ton and of just conservatism of action in
emergencies. 1t implies, further, that
the element of true patriotism has found
larger representation in the General
Assembly, has made broader basis on
which to stand, and acquired the power
OF freer and bolder expression of itself
/ We see here man carried triumphantly
unto an Office, after having broken with
tis party, leading revolt from it and
mourning considerable measure of its
Sensures. Next he led IN attack, as it
Yas considered, upon a branch of the
administration, and failed to accomplish
the purpose he had in view there, too.
Judging by ordinary rules, we would
have expected him to be subject of re-
buke. But upon the first test occasion,
all that we might have looked for is re-
versed. Whatever his views as o partv
man may have been, they are now over
looked. Disafection, revolt, opposition,
all are forgotten The principle that is
supposed to have inspired his action is
oil that is remembered, and that only to
be rewarded. His conduct in the past
condemned, as it might have been at q
time of passion and strife, is considered
a good guarantee and recommendation
for responsible and honorable position.
Viewed in this light, the election of Col.
Dunn is gratifying event, as it seems to
mark progress and indicate some gain in
public virtue In other respects, it shows
an agreeable accord between all parties,
interests and complexions in the General
Assembly. .SThe Democrats and Consery-
atives supported Colonel Dunn to man.
The Independent Republicans were
equally cordial, and Regular Republi-
cans, of all shades Of opinion and prac-
tice, helped him on to success. 1t was
genuine "happy family" made up of
contraries, opposites and irreconcilables,
such as Barnum delights to get together
in the same cage. Such result has not
been possible at any time before this,
since the new era and new order of things
were initiated in this State. All have
agreed to see merit in q course on tho
part OF the new Comptroller, which, had
1t occurred in the earlier and more in
tolerant epoch of the party in ascen-
dancy, would have ruined him politi-
cally. There has been greet change to
make this election possible. It is due to
the mellowing influences of time, to the
wearing away of intolerance and party
spirit, md to the necessity which drives
men together for good ends, becoming
stronger than party ties, triumphs or
prejudices. Considering it as signifi-
cant political landmark, we are very
much pleased with it. We are equally
80 upon personal grounds. We have
IfDown f!olov al n,r. r..