The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-16
COLUMBIA, S. G.
Tuesday Morning. March 16, 1876.
The Address for tho Removal OF the
Treasurer.


to enter upon the consideration of the
address for the removal of the State
Treasurer. 1t is to be hoped that all
parties will ooms to this work with
clean hands and honest purpose. We
have recognized that there was a
strong showing OF irregularity against
this officer, and that so far he has
failed to answer in a satisfactory way.
But the proceedings have now taken a
shape which makes it practicable for
him to use the amplest powers for his
vindication. lie has able counsel. the
7ight'to produce records. books and
vouchers of all the public offices: in
short. he has the opportunity to show
the transactions of his bureau and to
explain his own conduct in it's manage.
nent. s5lfs the charges are frivolous, it
can be made to appear. II they are
grave. but the Treasurer innocent of
them, that can be ebundantly proven.
Some objection. we observe, has been
expressed against the limit of time
fixed uponrb the Special Joint Com.
mittee. II that objection should be
insisted upon. if nine hours should
not be found sufficient for the areu-
ments OF his counsel. and the produo.
zion OF all necessary and pertinent tss.
timon3 II his behalf, the time ought
to be extended. ,As a4man, tho Trea.
snrer is entitled to full and fair can.
sRssiDg of his case; as one OF the exc
outive oficers Of the State, he should,
not be denied any fair means to estab.
lish the integrity and dignity of his
part OF the Administration. This is
public matter. in which no private
feelings or personal Interest," ahould
enter. Every man charged with any
Responsibility in connection With il
should approach it in judicial spirit,
free from accusation, and be as ready
and willing to allow justice to the
party arraigned as to demand it for
the State.
The argument Of our contemporary,
OF this city. that. because frauds have
been charged by the committee against
tho Treasurer. and they have not
brought in articles of impeach ment
against him. for having been engaged
in them, therefore. the present pro-
ceeding has no ground upon which to
stand, and tnust fall Of it's own weight,
proves too much. The utmost that
can be made of it is, that there is not
in the charges and speciacations an
exact adaptation Of punishmeut as de.
signed to the offence which is charged.
But il the ohargas justify impeach-
ment. they all the more justify an
addressliar removal Upon this point:
we natics that Governor Chamberlain
has Substantially approved that mode
OF proceeding. where he says OF it,
that it jss"probably now the only way
to bring the whole case to point
whereiustice can be done.' The dis
tinctiop which the Union Herald makes
IN another plece, between the right of
the General Assembly to remove an
executive officer by two-thirds vote
for an address of removal, the final act
of removal, OF course, to be made
by the Governor. and the right OF the
Governor so to remove son the address
OF two-thirds Of each House." is one
without difference. 1t is only the
condemnation which is conveyed in
the two.thirds vote of the General As.
sembly for removal which is potent to
effect it, although the final act is to be
consummated by the Executive.
We noticed very early in this contro-
versy, tlat Treasurer Cardozo meant
to have the investigation Of the charges
against himself discounted as 30 much
opposition to the State Administrs.
ton. We saw no necessity for accept
ing this construction then, and we see
none now, or in the future. 80 long ca
candid search for the truth in the case.
regard for the interests of the State
and the observance Of he'principle Of
strict justice towards the Treasurer,
shall not be violated or compromised.
T,ookino at AZ sn&a -h,.h -SscI