The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-10-30
oHARLEsrows po1rrroAL muDDLr.

The Charleston municipal canvass has
assumed most dangerous and unfortu-
nate shape, not only for the city itself,
but for the Democratic PARTY OF South
Carolina. That our readers may fully
understand tho situation, we will sum.
marlzO II briefly boforo making any COM
ments. Thepresent Mayor, ". w. Sale,
who was elected by tho Democratic
party, has rallied around aim party
which socks bis reelection at all hazards,
and, In order to accomplish this end, his
friends secured a division IN the execu-
tive committee appointe "a the last can
vass on the question Of convention or nc
convention. This committee unfortu-
nately sought TO perpotuate it's control
and decide tho questions coming up I'm
this canvass. Mr.. Sale refuses to promise
to abide by tho action OF Democratic
convention or oven primary election,
In which mono but Democrats are 10 vote,
claiming that iif itois fairly managed ho
will be reelected, and, II it Is not, that
he will not be bound. by 1t.
Capt. w. A. Courtenay is another cam
didate for tho nomination, and has re-
peatedly pledged himself to abide by the
action OF convention or of prin.
election at which mono but Democrats IL, Q
t. vote. He Is entirely competent, and Is
o gentleman Of high character and scru-
pulous honor.
Mr. w. J. Gayor is All independent can
didate, who expects to run In between the
two fnctions Of tho Democratic party.
The situation is very nearly, # not
quite, as much muddlcd in tho city of
Charleston as 1t is in tho State of New
York, and the outlook we Ii about as
gloomy for the Donocratic.party proper.
There Is no doubt that tho Democrats
could oloct their Mayor. If they could be
united; but from present appearances 1t
will be impossible to unite them. Mr..
Salo is determined to be re- elected at all
hazards, and, therefore, whilo no has
some eminontly respectable citizens sup
porting him.. he is backed up in large
measure by Republicans and those who
care very little for any fixed political
principles. Tho Charleston Democracy
Is evidently very poorly organized, for If
1t had any strength OF organization, such
conduct as Mr.. Sale has been guilty of,
would not for an instant be permitted.
Unless he pledges himself tn. ho bound
by the action of tho Democratic party un-
conditionally, he is unworthy Of tho con-
fidence Of that political party, and shows
that he is purely selfish. Wo roget to
500 this splltin tho Democracy NJ Charles
ton caused in tho interest Of man
whose course Is tending TO break down
party lines and introduce tho enemy In q
most dangerous disguise into our ranks.
We fear that the regular nominee, who
cvor he may be, cannot be elected, and
that either tho independent candidate or,
what Is worse, tho bo.t'ng candidate will
win. We say 1t Is w0.se for the boiling
candidate, or tho candidate who will not
be governed by the party action, to sue
ceed than for the independent candidate,
because the independent has no opportu-
nifty ofinjuring tho party, unless voters
deliberately prefer to leave the organiza-
ton, whilo tho candidate who runs as q
Democrat, but refuses to submit to tho
party action, Processes what he has not.
in order to compass what would be out
OF his roach, Is his real principles were
understood. This Is very serious ques-
ton to the State, and both wings OF the
Democratic party Of the city of Charleston
ought to call in the aid of impartial
Democrats from difreront sections of the
State to mako fnir aud unbiased rules to
regulate tho nomination OF tho candidate
and then compel oil parties to submit to
tho result. Something should be done to
save the city OF Charleston, for defeat of
tho Democracy thore may lead to the
election Of an independent State ticket
noxt year. Both parties should make
concessions in order to avoid such CO.
,astrophe.