Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-07-20
How the Estate House Ring
Works.
CAikcn Reoorder.7

AIKEN hecoruer.
Hampton himself would have thrown of
the ono man power which ho had involunta.
rily exercised and have insisted upon th o
observance of orthodox methods. Our high
appreciation of the patriotism and sagacity
of tho man leads to this irresistible conolu-
sion; and though it moy havo lessened his
personal popularity for tho momout, it would
have written his name 10 golden letters high
up on the scroll Of statesmen who have
served their country for their couutry's
good, without tsint Of personal or selfish
purposes.
The opportunity was not permitted him to
restore the natural order of government in
statesmanlike and conservative manner; but
instead the reaction came with rude shock
from the people themselves, aud that is what
is the matter to day. Tho precedent had
been established that an election to given
office was not to be viewed in the old
fashioned light of sacred trust, but simply
stepping stone for something better.
His successor, Governor Simpson, was
hardly warm 10 tho gubcrnatcrial chair be-
foro lo and his f,iends commenced to hunt up
something better, and it was soon announced
throughout tho length aud breadth Of the
State that Governor Simpson was sn aspr-
ant for tho Chief Justicesbip. Of course
he was elected, aud for the third time dur
ing single term new occupant had to be
found in the rcrsou OF Senator Jcter, the
President pro tem Of the Senate.
This system of promotion, established by
two such distinguished precedents, seized Ut
once upon the minds Of tho whole army of
office holders. Every mau about the
State House from the President of tho Sen
ate to the porters and spttooo -cea ncrs, be-.
camo consumed with the idea that they were
10 the true line of promotion, aud thut out
siders who attempted to interfere with their
chances must be signally punished. Curry
ing out this idea in 1880 the Comptroller.
General was elected Governor, aud mcm-
Der Of the House, who had been an uusuo-
oesstul aspirant for the speakcrship, became
Lieut.. Governor; and now it is proposed in
1882, acting upon the same System, that the
Lieut.. Governor must be made Governor
aud the Spe ker of tho House Lieut. Gov
crnor. In other words, the functions of
government have fallen into the hunds of
ring of office holders who shift around among
themselves according to their own pleasure
ond convenience, regardless Of tho interests
Of the State and Of the decentralization of
the Democratic party.
The official patronage Of the State Gov
ernment has become 80 extensive that the |
oigarchy in Columbia have only to sound
their orders through the political telephone
and the small Office holders on the out !
side, who hold on by appoiutment, proceed |
10 shout up the boys to the necessary pitch |
of enthusiasm to execute their bidding, aud |
his is what is the matter to- day.
Since the political revolution of 1876 tho
best offices of the State have been monopo-
lied by small handful of men who con-
linue to this day to enjoy these positions,
md hope to retain them iudt finiteIy. 1t is
lot so much the various unwiso measures
adopted by tho Legislature at it's last session
hut has begotten this feeling of unrest, as
It is tho earnest determination OF tho people
% ovcrturn monopoly and aguin become
masters Of the situation. Under the mo-
nopoIy system they are politically bucked
md gagged aud then required to vote.
The idea is to abolish this iulquitous pro,
,ccding by establishing primary usscmblagcs
Of sufficiently numerous representations to
give full expression to tho real desires of the
rank and file OF the Democratic party Que
thing, however, is ccrtain-that all reforms
must come from within the party. This is
n white mans country, and white men must
rule it, if wo wish to preserve our ciyiliza-
ton and retain an honest government.