The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-23
COLUMBIA,S S. c..
Tuesday Morning, March %, 1876.
The Vsrdict In the Cardozo Case.
We do not think it necessary orRdyisf

bic, from q review of the facts as elected,
the testimony, pleadings and speeches,
or from m analysis Of the vote rs deli
vered ON 1T, last Saturday night, to at
tempt m explanation of the oxact cause
or causes which produced the result at
tained in'the Oardozo investigation case.
, It has taken, up considerable time in, the
General Assembly, has been industriously
4 tcanvassed in the public press, has been
deliberately argued on both sides, and the
matter been brought to conclusion,
which we hope will be final and satisfac-
tory to all. We were strongly disposed
to have the investigation. We were
equally earnest and determined that it
. should be fair to the Treasurer, and, 80
far as possible, be Invested of personal
and party influences and objects. Whe-
ther this was wholly gained or not, we
have no doubt but that some good has
come out of it. The Treasurer received
n great accession of strength to bis side
in the ardent support of and in the con-
fidently Expressed opinion of his limo.
cence on the part of Governor. Chamber
lain After his full identification with
the case, it became essentially different
. issue, or rather the question of policy
grew into one of great magnitude, over
tapping, the original inquiry, Those
charged with the responsibility of con-
s7dering and deciding upon the case,
found themselves confronted with new
question, demanding to be solved by the
same notion on their part which would
settle the original one, pertaining more
directly to the treasury and the Trea-
,snrer. If MIR. Cardozo be condemned,
: if his removal from Office be determined
on, they asked themselves what will be
its bearing upon the administration of
Gov. Chamberlain, what its effect upon
his spirits and heart for his work, stand
Ing in the laborious, perilous and respon-
! sihle position that he Goes? We might
\save wished to keep these questions
separate, but they became practically
fused into one, and the Governor would
have felt it as condemnation of himself
to have had the officer disgraced whose
guilt he denied. Again, suppose the ad-
administration discrcdited, one of the
strongest barriers between it and cor
rupt opposition broken down, what
would prevent the food from devastating
it, what would check the tendency to on
:slaught upon it, emboldened by this first
success? And further, the momentous
question was realized as present and i'm
minent, all things weighed, oil circum-
stances of the situation considered, is it
probable or possible that better man
can now be elected by the General AS
.sembly, in it's present temper and mate
rial, as his successor in the Office? Thus
theo policy of his removal, with its
damaging effects upon the administra-
ton, with the uncertainties to which it
would give rise, became Il practical and
unavoidable question. ,'
In alluding briefly to this phase of the
matter, we are not to be understood to
mean that the Treasurer owed his escape
entirely to the Governor He had other
friends, who were attached to his for
tunes and sincerely believed in his in
tegrity. He had the power Of influence,
and the privilege of exercising it. He
was extremely we'll defended. We are
free to admit, besides, that his case i'm
proved as it went on and came to a con-
clusion. Discussion and examination
threw more satisfactory light upon seve-
RAJ points, and doubts upon others; and
he was allowed, as is his right in such
circumstances, all the benefit of doubt.
We should be pleased, however, to have
some difficulties which remain cleared
up. The Treasurer should remember
that public opinion is wider and more
exacting than the General Assembly.
Some Of the special considerations which
have so far entered into, if they have not
controlled the Legislative decision, will
have but little weight with it. 1t will not
be slow,to. see that the real question, as it
concerns the Treasurer, has been obscured
and complicated in his favor. 1t will be
equally quick to discern that, AZ no YER
dict Of guilty was asked, 80 none Of not
guilty has been declared. 1t will thus
be left free to entertain doubts, which, if
not removed, will add to the many inhe-
rent difficulties which already surround