The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-05-13
The Riqht Spirit.

There is at last some hope that honesty in
the administration of public affairs is to be
resurrected, and new system of government,
founded upon justice and economy, instituted,
which will restore to our down-trodden and over
taxed State some of her pristine strength and
vigor. For almost decade of years the State
officials, as we'll as those of many counties,
have held office and committed numberless
frauds, by embezzling the monies which came
into their hands, and indulging in other and
eeaseless corruptions. They did these things
without fear, knowing full we'll that if any
complaints were made by the people, who were
the sufferers, they, the officials holding the
Offices, the monies and the balance of power,
could laugh in their sleeves and make some
petty excuses, which might as we'll have been
taken since such thing as prosecuting State
or County officer was heretofore almost un-
known. Now, however, things have changed,
and men with them, and we are glad to know
that we have at least some officers in our State,
who, regarding a high sense of honor and the
duty they owe the people and the State as bet
ter than silver or gold, have taken the proper
steps to 6erret out and rid the country of the
corrupt thieves who are not only depraved in
character, but incompetent in the discharge of
their official duties. The arrest Of ex-Treas-
urer Parker upon the afidavits of high
officials was the first act in the drama of refor-
matien, aud it is to be hoped that he will soon
be brought to trial, for if we mistake not there
are others who are equally as guilty, as will be
shown when he is brought before the bar of
justice; and these gentlemen, wherever they
may be, should get their deserts also.
During the recent term of the Court in
Winnsboro' the Sheriff and Treasurer of Fair
field County were indicted for official miscon-
duct and breaches of trust, with fraudulent in
tent These indictments were made under
instructions from Judge Mackey, who has
made it part of his duty to inquire into and
examine the conduct of the different county
officials within his circuit Their cases were
continued until the next term, in order that
the Attorney General (who is now engaged ON
similar cases in Colurnbia( may conduct the
prosecution, snd we are hopeful that both will
receive their just dues at that time. The at
tention of the Court in Columbia is now occu-
pied with hearing the cases against the County
Commissioners of Ricbland County for 1902,
and against those for 1924. Attorney Gen
eral Melton is assisting the Solicitor in the
prosecutions. The trial of some of the officials
Of Charleston and other Counties will take
place ere long, and soon the people will have
cause to rejoice in the displacement of politi-
cal vampires who have been sucking the life
blood Of the State for 10, these many years !!
These endeavors on the part of our judiciary
are commendable in the highest degree, and
are certain to result in the greatest good to the
people, and to serve as check against future
evil-doers. Let the work of investigation 60
on, and in less than year the State will show
signs of returning prosperity, and her govern
ment will become stronger and more stable