The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1878-03-05

was composed of the same class OF polIt-
ical adventures, and their following was
the same mob of deluded, ignorant and ir
responsible blacks who had no conception
of the obligations of citizenship. The
opportunities for plumber were nearl y the
same in all, and they were improved to
greater or less extent according to cir
cumstances. Since the Democrats came
into power in South Carolina, they have
taken the trouble to investigate the
crimes of which that State was the vic
tim, and we will venture to say that
there never has since the world began
been exhibited a parallel to them in off
cial corruption and rascality unless it be
found concealed in the archives of the
other carpet-bagged States. We have
before US some items from report of
joint commission of the two Houses of
the Legislature of that State, which have
been conveniently collated by contem-
porary and which we will publish for the
edifcation of our readers. Among the
vouchers found in the State Treasurer's
office there was spent in one legislative
session, under the heads of supplies,
sundries, and incidental expenses" $780,
900. Of this sum 1925, 900 went for
wines, liquors and cigars. The sable
Solons and their ''mean white" fellows
were accustomed to give orders for their
luxuries each day, and the following is
specimen of the daily consumption
of James A. Bowley, statesman Of
color:
"One box champagne, one box port wine,
one box whiskey, on box brandy, one box
sherry wine, three boxes cigars"
One merchant, Hardy Solomon, had
paid certificates issued to him for ''sup-
plies" purchased in 1872, to the amount
of $24, $50 so. On the 9th of March of
that year, he sent to the Senate 1851
worth of wines and liquors, and On the
7th of the same month, 81 1852 rs in the
same articles to the same body. Solomon
testified that he ''had no difficulty in
getting his money" From the 1st to
the 7th of March, 1871, the Senate, con-
sisting of SO members, had wines and
liquors to the amount of So, 1877 80. The
following year Washington's birthday
was celebrated, and this bill--one among
many others-was presented by negro
merchant-politician, who made fortune
out of his transactions with the Legis-
lature:
"CoLUMBIA, Feb. 9th, 1872
''Gov. A. j. RAMsIERE, DIR.
'To JOE TAYLOR
"for Licours & Sugars and other ar
"Receivueid paymen
Joe TAYLOR"
How the fortune was made will appear
from the prices of few of the articles:
Brandy, $50 gallon; sherry wine, $40 /;
whisky. So; lager beer, 81 80 per dozen :;
cigars, $40 per hundred; champagne, $500
per case; port wine, $40 per Dozen"
In four years over 5000, 900 was spent
for furniture alone, of which only ST.
700 worth is now in the State House.
The carpet item is suggestive. All the
rooms in the State House, and the COM
mittee rooms outside, require only 1900
yet, in one session, 4,65S yards were
bought, nearly third of which was the
best Brussels. At the end of each SEES
sion, the carpets were regularly carried
off by the members. So were the $50
clocks and the 5000 mirrors 1t was testi-
fed before the commission, that stationery
80 called, ''included refreshments, dry
goods, groceries, carpets, furniture, horses
carriages and miscellaneous articles OF
merchandise"
What are meant by miscellaneous
: articles of merchandise" the following
summing-up will explain:
I'm 1869 and 1870 the articles purchased
were of such low degree as S. clocks, forty
cent spittoons, 81 benches, straw beds. clay
2 pipes, pine tables, cheap whisky and 50
looking glasses. In 1871 and thereafter the
list presents 5000 cloaks, So 'cuspidors,
5000 crimson velvet sofas, sponge mattress
ses and Oriental pillows; $50 gothic chairs
$50 library tables, finest Havana cigars
champagne, $500 mirrors, etc., ad intlnituns
e When it is said that such articles OF femi-
! nine attire as are known or guessed at by the
names of 'bustles,' extra long stockings,
'chignons.' 'palpitators,' carriers, 'chemises,
I boulevard skirts and 'parasols' are found
in the same list with mules, horses, wines
coats of arms, axe helves, dictionaries,
, diamonds, jugs, cuckoo clocks, cradles and
coffius, something may be left to the imagi-
> nation.''
These are the sort of abuses which
t the corrupt and ignorant rabble that
went by the name of Republican govern
ment, practiced upon the people OF
South Carolina. Every fair-minded
man will say that they would have been