The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-06
Does it Paw

!. meeting of the citizens of the Conserva-
tive party in Anderson County was con-
'yened at Anderson Court House to put
into effect the machinery organized to
run separate county ticket, and during
the meeting a delegation from the Re-
publican party headed by John R. Coch-
ran, Esq, then candidate for State
Senator, came into the meeting with
offers of a compromise, which were ac-
q cepted. Under this arrangement there
was no Conservative ticket run, and Mr..
Cochran was elected. The question
which we now wish every white man
in Anderson County to consider and an
swer for himself is, has this coalition of
parties paid the people-the Taxpayers
of our County? Senator Cochran prom
ised his hearty and earnest support to
the Independent Republican party head
ed by Judge Green, whom the Conserva-
tives endorsed for Governor, and also to
Gen. Samuel MCGOWAN for Congress.
He also promised to effect many other
reforms, and if elected to. represent the
Conservatives and Republicans of An
derson County, with the express promise
of so acting as to satisfy the Conserva-
tiyes by his official conduct. This coali-
tion resulted in the election of Mr.. Coch-
ran to the Senate from this which is
decidedly a Democratic County. Hare
Che Democrats received any benefit from
this concession on their part? If so, it
is impossible for us to find it.
The action of Mr.. Cochran in the mat
ter of Green and MCGOWAN is enough of
itself to show that the coalition pro-
gramme is unwise and inexpedient.-
Every one knows that he controls the
colored vote of the County in any way
he desires, and yet there was almost none
of it which went for Green and Nc
Gowan, and that part of it which did
vote for them for the most part did not
vote for him. The fact that he carried
nearly all the colored vote for himself
shows that he controls it, and that there
was an understanding between them and
him about voting for Green; and, indeed,
they have on different occasions said that
Mr.. Cochran told them he was going to
vote for Green and MCGOWAN, but they
must vote for Chamberlain and Hoge.
This shows that the Conservatives were
made the victims of duplicity by adopt
ing the policy of coalition.
But if it be admitted that Mr.. Cochran
used his influence for Green and Nc
Gowan, he certainly accomplished moth
ing, and in that point of view it was bad
policy to have allowed his election, for it
, would show that he has no influence, and
the Democrats have gained nothing to
repay them for the loss of Senator. It
is not necessary for US to recount the
many reforms he promised to endeaYor
to effect in the flaming speeches and let
tiers with which he favored our people
during the last canvass. So let it be re-
membered that he had influence enough
to secure the adoption of all his measures
in the platform of the Republican party.
This was during the canvass, and it was
necessary to show some influence, but as
soon as the election was over his furor in
the interest of reform subsidized, and we
hear nothing more from him for season.
His first act as Senator was to force upon
the people Of Anderson County an in
competent and obnoxious celored politi-
clan as Jury Commissioner. Was this
fulfilling his promise to the Conserva-
tiYes? The first session of the Legisla-
ture after his election passed without his
performing a single pledge, 80 far ss ne
are informed, that he made during the
canvass.
Passing over the conspicuous part he
bore in municipal affairs last summer,
which we have hitherto freely ventilated,
the next thing we hear of him is Just
before the meeting of the Legislature,
when he issues his last document in re-
gard to reform, in which he proposes
many constitutional amendments, which
have been spoken of frequently before,
and reiterates many of the good promises
made during the canvass. But as soon
as the Legislature is in session his fever
for reform sinks to its normal condition,
and we find him voting with complacen-
cy for resolution to furnish all the
members of the Senate with FIVE papers,
to be paid for out of the peoples money,
and then championing bill to re-district
the State SO as to secure by gerrymanier-
ing all five Congressman to the Repubi-
cans, and to the lower and middle ccun-
ties at that. He has not accomplished a
single reform, nor, so fer as we are in
formed, redeemed single pledge.
Last but not least, let every white man
and every honest man remember that he
was one of the few white men who voted
for Whipper, an arrant, ignorant and
corrupt carpet-bag negro, for Judge of
the First Circuit of South Carolina |!
Senator Cochran has frequently said in
Anderson that Whipper WAS corrupt and
bad man, and yet even while promising
reform he voted for him for Judge. Gao
tions speak louder than words" and by
his acts we must judge of the sincerity
of his professions of reform. Can the
reliable people of our County afford
longer to allow him to control them, af-
ter he has voted for man for Judge who