The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-27
GIVING THE STATE A BAD NAME.
The News and Courier Makes n Most
Bitter Review or the Legislature
aud It's Work.
News and Courier.


Blind obedience to Governor Tillman and
unreasonable hostility to Charleston were
the twin Influences which controlled th'
spirit and work OF the General Assembly
n day from the time Legislature convened In
The latter bart OF November To the time of Its
adjournment on Saturday morning last when
1t was not dominated by the strong Will OF
been entrusted with Executive power.
The right OF private judgment, the purpose
of representative government. the dictates
OF principle were all alike subordinate TO the
imperious mastery OF the Governor. He
gave his orders and they were ooeret, ne
crack ed his whip and the Reform majority
responded TO the lash. A house full or wood
because they would have cost the State
nothing and wopld not have brought shame
and discredit upon the manhood and patri:
iha members of our Legislature are corrupt;
probably majority Of the Reformers be lieVed
that they were right, but they were 80 blind,
ed by prejudice. 20 Ignorant or the work OF
their better selves and 80 slavish In spirit
that they went the way they we're told TO go
and registered without care or conscience the
will Of their master. At no time In the his
legislation been filed with more servile
cringing subservient majority. During the
Reconstruction period and In Radical times
the General Assembly WAS compnsed OF men
who did net rrrr rsent the piorerty: intelli.
eence and cnnservatism Of the State, but they
could LIE controlled either through their
cuplditv or their fears, and the condition OF
affairs waS never so had that there was not
some means OF relief at hand.
1t was not so with the members OF the
Legis!ature1ihe June Bug Leglslature-thai
channel OF rearhing them-through the
Governor-and this channel was absolutely
closed to every appeal OF patriotism and 10
n his feet and beg q favor what belonged
to the people as q right. We do not know
what unfaihomed depths OF political vilaipy
old State, nor what new methods Of outrage
and injustice may he adopted hy those en-.
trusted with power, but we do not expect
that Sonth Carolina viii ever have another
such Legislature as that which adjourned on
Saturday. Only the French Assembly in
the days Of the Jacobin Dynasty forms Its
historic parallel.
l. 1t passed new dispensary law for the
purpose OF still further restricting the per
sonal liberty OF the citizen, and OF making
money for the State out OF an unholy traff-
A more obnoxious measure was never
devised.
2 The Legislature elected one Associate JUS
tice Of The Supreme Court and five Circuit
Judges. three OF whom were selected not
because cf their legal attachments. bu,
because they are expected TO take their or.
aers e
packed the Bench in the interest Of political
faction, and not for the promotion Of the ends
Of justice.
8. The Legislator elected public printer
for the State, not in the interest Of public
economy, but Tor the purpose OF galvanizing
moribund newspaper into life and support
ing IN organ for the Administration at the
public expense.
l. The Legislature redislrcted the Sta e
for the purpose or puuishiug Charleston and
making a place in Congress fnr one of the
Governors fre nds whom the p-op.e Of the
district rtjectt at the last election.
S. The Legislature q repealed the charter OF
the Port Royal and Augusta Railroad In the
interest OF a land-specuiating combine.
Q. The Legislature passed an Act entirely
reconstructing our system or county Govern
ment and for the purpose OF making uew
offices for an army OF unemployed Reformers
who have been shared out of the profits OF
the Movement. This Act will open the door
for fraud in every county nnd township In the
State.
I. The Legislature reconstructed the coun.
OF political ring In Berkeley county and for
the purpose Of increasing the burdens OF the
people OF Charleston.
These are the principal acts Of the General
T6sy aes o al them %oaa have
been passed without orders from the Gov
einor. Not one of them will promote the
public welfare. Not one Of them Is in the
Interest Of public economy or for the bentfi
OF the people. 1t cost the State more than
$4,000 to elect the Judges and make thest
laws. The cost TO the State In loss OF reputa
tion cannot be estimated. Charle lesion vii
possibly be able to stand the fresh burden
imposed upon her. Charleston passed unae
the rod In Radical times and came out vic
torious. Charleston will even survive th
hatred of Governor Tillman, and when TIT
a-counts are finally balanced the loss ant
obloQuy will not be on her side.