The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-03-25
Our Columbia Correspondence.
COLUMBIA. March %, i

The Cardozo trial has been the main topic
of interest before the General Assembly for
the past three weeks, and in the House almost
every bill submitted during that time has had
some bearing upon, or has been in some way
connected with that subject.
Without knowledge of the true status and
drift of the different political parties and fac
tons here at the State Capital it is impossible
to understand the real issues in dispute. I
will, therefore, as far as the limits of a news
paper article will permit give you the history
of the whole matter.
When the present Governor was nominated
by the Republican party, the party at that time
was under tremendous outside pressure, ow-
ing to the disgustingIy corrupt administration
of the then Gov. F. J. Moses, jr. This pres
sure demanded the election of a respectable
Governor, with guarantees of reform, else the
protection of the strong arm of the National
Republican party would be withdrawn, and
the Republican party of the State would be
left to it's certain doom.
Under these circumstances, D. Fl. Chamber
lain was nominated and elected Governor, and
as it appears to the Conservatives entered upon
the discharge of his duties under very fattering
and auspicious circumstances But from the
beginning there existed among the leaders of
the Republican party no little dissatisfaction
at the apparent necessity which compelled
them to accept Coy. Chamberlain as the choice
of their party, and when he sought to admins
ter the government in the interest of reform
and for the good of the whole people, they
were bewildered, for they had no idea that
anything more was meant by their many prom
ises of reform than merely to deceive. They
cared nothing Cor reform, as their whole
course through the present session abundantly
proves.
When Governor Chamberlain was Inaugural
ted, and when his policy was marked out, the
opposition to him and his administration took
shape also. The policy of the Governor was
in conflict with the policy of this opposition !;
hence, the division of the party into two fac
tions became more thorough and complete.
The friends to Gov Chamberlain were of the
better class of Republicans, while the followers
of the opposing faction was composed mainly
of the negro element with few white carpet
baggers and scalawags, who adhered to the
negroes with the hope of maintaining their
waning influence.
The policy of Gov. Chamberlain was expic-
lilly stated in his inaugural address, and of it
nothing further need be said. The policy of
the other faction aimed at nothing shorter than
absolute control by the coored element alone
of this State, and complete and thorough So
cal aud civil equality with the whites.
The antagonism between the two factions
grew and widened with every conflict which
the necessities of legislation required, and as
the negroes constituted the voters, the negro
faction in the House grew stronger daily, until
at one time the Governor could count his friends
upon the fingers of one hand. As soon as the
ring faction las we will hereafter call it) mag
ined it had sufficient strength, it commenced
operations to gain the absolute control which
it sought.
Now, the man who controls the Treasury
controls the Republican party, especially if he
will operate the Treasury in the interest of the
individual members of the party. For this rea-
son the Treasurer was selected as the first point
of attack Again, it was thought by assailng
the Treasurer, large number of Republicans
who had individual causes of complaint against
him could be induced to join in his prosecu-
tion, and it was thought too, the Conservatives
could be arrayed against him by raising the
cry of corruption, and by making it appear
they sought only to purify the government.
The plot was we'll arranged, and no doubt
would have been successful had not circum-
stances dvulged the real mark at which they
struck, which was none other than the Cover
nor himself
After mature deliberation, it was decided to
petition the Governor for the removal of the
Treasurer 1t must be borne in mind that the
proceeding by addressing the Governor to re-
move an officer, is entirely different from reg
ular impeachment. In the former case the
accused has no rights but such as the General
Assembly see fit to grant, hence, it was adopted
as the easiest and safest course to effect their
purpose. In cases of Impeachment, the officer
impeached must be guilty of some fraud or
fraudulent intent; therefore, the House be-
comes the prosecutor and the Senate the jury.
The officer is regularly indicted, and is allowed
all the privileges granted to the accused in the
regular constituted courts of the State, and the
Senators are sworn to bring in verdict, or
vote, according to the evidence deduced, But
in proceeding by an address, both Houses sit
upon the matter in their legislative capacity,
and are not bound to vote in accordance with
the evidence, deduced but in accordance with
what they believe the general and best interest
of the State.
nj kn-.- aaIalyIo ho hoc rd hr nn1n.