The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-24
Columbia Gossip.
[Cf'escent Special ChrTespondent.

CoLUMBIA, S. G., Dec. Is, 1879.
1t Is consoling at least to hear and know
that there e l. as great a m 7 .hnsa IN n N ~
politics Mt Columbia. While Representative
Aiken Is recommending the formation OF a
new party to be called neither Democratic or
are for retaining the same old name but adop-
ting Republican platforms: Congressman
Tillman Is an out and out Tilden mnn and
Congressman O'Connor Is a Randall admirer;
Stephens of Georgia Is for Grant; Gordon for
Bayard; Hill for any one that gets the Dem
ocrntic nomination; North Carolina and Col.
Ellison keitt are openly avowed for GRANT,
while we are snubbed by Bayard, outgeneral-
agreeing upon diversified principles In no
tWJ States Of the Uuion-hard money in one,
SOFT money in another, and both In others.
Ewing, PcndletOn and Hancock In the West:
Tildrn, Randall and Bnyard In the East. Out
Of .hi.i conglomeration what relief can the
producing CLASSES expect?
And now comes another muddle. Justice
McIvGr who was elected Chief Justice has de-
clined the honor thrust upon him and thinks
that ~ bird In the hand Is worth two In the
bush.' The curious part of the anxiety to
GUST willard prOccc ding from the Radical
minority In the General Assembly results
from their desire or rather the dosire Of Taft
the republican member from Charleston who
Is anxious to see things get rs complicated as
possible. He bears no love for Willard TO be
sure. but lie Is scarcely more affectionately
inclined 10 amy democrat VINO may DE elected
to take his place. But he chuckles in his
sleeves ny he sees CONFUSION more Confoun-
dcd.' The solid Radical vote that was cast
! tor Wallace against MCGOWAN under his
was scarcely Intended as q compliment to
Wallace who with all the administration In.
%flnencc. with Jeter In the Senate and his SON.
ih-law Sheppard In the House, with every
manner OF combination and compact that
could be invented to defeat MCGOWAN, who
huppens not TO be Of the Ring, failed TO de-
feat the peoples choice for q position to
which he was entitled by all the rules that
should govern deccncy and consideration fora
true, trusted and tried public servant.
AS to the Niger vote that was OF course cast
with what he thought was the winning side.
His crcduIity had been operated upon by the
shrcwd. cunning leaders who usually honey
fugglc him to- vote as they tell him and he
thought In voting for Massa Wallace that the
administration wanted lccted." that he was
sure to beat, and cuffy always wants to be on
the winning side md to belong TO somebody.
So with Tnft'S coaching and the cajoling In
t~luences oftlle organization, he could not
but vote with the aristocirtic %fuctiOns that
invariably guide him. He must belong TO
somebody and lie wants to BE- the rich mans
slave. MCGOWAN ut least goes into the high
position by the votes OF his own people and
his election is Il triumph of right over might:
OF the people through their representatives
against the organized plots OF the rings and
cliques that have usually dictated terms. For
once the peoplearc victorious and the peoples
champions nrc justified by his choice.
The most exciting n of the session, thus
far, by all odds, was the race for Associate
Justiccship last Thursday when Gen Nc
Gowan was elected by a minority OF four
votes on joint ballot. Altogether the pit
ting Of Wallace against him for this vacancy
was one OF the most adrolt and cunning
schemes that could have been devised for the
sacrifice Of Wallace against any cOntempla-
ted effort upon the part Of his friends to try
him "gain for the other vacancy that occurs
by the resignation OF McIver. The plan or
iginnted and was perfected by one Of the
Shrcwdcst and most artful Of Gov. Simpsons
supporters for the benefit of his favOrite. and
i it remains to be seen II 1t Will accomplish Its
ends. IT was n little unjust towards Meow.
IN who was to be virtimiZed II the plot sue
ceeded and in either event was calculated TO
choke OFT Wallace from attempting the next
vacancy which 1t Is thought By the ruse Is left
clear for Simpson.
We saw the trick and told Wallace's
friends as much and confidently predicted the
result In black and white.
The alliances Of the negro vote with that OF
the cnrpet-baGger which was relied upon to
nerfect the scheme may always be expected
Iner are induced to believe Is with the faction
opposed to the people and on the strongest
side. They unconsclouAy lend their aid ut the
invocation of authority from their habit OF
having been slaves and they always unwit-
tinely fall into the mi OF whatever wears
the insignia Of power. Their support In the
combined way in which u was addressed II
to beat anybody for the Democratic nomi-
nation FOR Governor to whom their hearty SUD-
port Is construed by his friends that he would
be 4 satisfactory compromise for Governor
from both parties, and may lead to that de-
nouement CENSOR,