The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-09-19
S. A. NETTLES, Editor.
WEDNESDAY, September 10, 1883,
The Next Legislature.

The Next Legislature.
The next session Of the General
Assembly of South Carolina is likely
to be one Of grave Importance, and
fraught with interest to the people
and to the country at large. There
IS q feeling of unrest, a settled
discomfort, and an air of expectancy,
that looks to the Legislature, to con-
vene this year, as one that will pro-
vide panacea for the many ills sur
rounding them, number Of which
have their troubled fountain-head
far away from the cleansing stream
Of any legislative enactment.
7. is fsct, and one greatly to be
lamented, that those who seek popu-
,ss Suffrage do not always have their
principles as strongly fixed as the rock
Of Gibrakar; neither can they be
known and read of all men, A good
" portion OF the politicians of our
day play sshide and seek" with their
constituents, or yield graceful obe-
dience to the mandates Of & ruling
psrsy spirit. To say nothing of the
Certainty OF final defeat that Will IN
egitably overtske any one who may
have the temerity to make trial OF a
eoarse sovacisIating, such instability
or want of candor lays an embargo
on honest effort, that would eventu-
ate in public good. Such o lire OF
procedure completely handicaps the
best efforts Of any legislator, and dl-
verts his talents from their legitimate
course into slough OF sexpedients,
in which be founders in the futile ef-
fort to give satisfaction, and at the
same time dodge around violated
pledges and The performance of prom
ises made while in the ardor of poht-
ical coquetry. It is much the safer
way, certainly the best plan, to have
ones views clearly defined, with as
few sifs" as possible, all promises
well digested, and, once made, let
them be the polar star OF the
route to their redemption, or the best
efforts to that end. Should failure
thwart, no one expects impossible
ties; and one may look his friends
squarely in the eyes, without fear OF
reprcach, and win from foes a recos-
milton due to honesty and consisten-
cy.
Yhe representatives. Of q people
have in their election Certificates a
seal of public confidence. This year
viii open avenues for good and evil,
TIE sober, the wise, and the thought
ful VIII realize that they have before
them the cause of the people; that
there is growing agitation among
the masses; that there is dissatisfao-
ton prevalent N the land; and that 1t
behoo7es them to leave no effort un-
spent to ameliorate the condition OF
those who suffer; and to lift from the
shoulders of the burdened, as far as
in them lies, the weight expressing, II
such be found. It's unfortunately,
also, the ft time for political pack
peddlersto display their clap-trsps;
the chosen time for demagogues to
pl; their ruinious vocation, m pan
dering to the passions of men; and
winning a longer lease Of power by
fomentine strife, and leading their
followers far way from the true
causes of complaint and diseoatene.
The past has shown that there is a
vast reserve; force. Of conservatism in
South .Carolina, but the veriest opti-
mist could hardly deny that the can
ker-Borm is at work on our old ship;
aSdsthebest Efforts OF our abless men
are needed fas the helm There are
questions that will be presented OF
vital interest. The proceedings VIII
be watched Ill over the State, and 1t IS
ispseeminently the time for our legls-
Iators to take the issues in hand over
which they must fight, realizing the
gravity of the situation. We have
much That is good and noble still IN
the State, and representatives that
win preserve our traditions, our psr-
ty intact, and our commonwealth Sc
cure.