The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-16

ments to the Constitution Of the United
States, therefore it is recommended that
the State Of South Caroline treat these
bonds, given In aid of iusurreotion and re-
belllon against the United States, now
amounting to over 81 900, 900. according to
the terms OF the amendment to the Consti-
tuition, viz: as illegal and void" Several
members of this committee had been mem
bers OF the Constitutional Convention, and
were doubtless acquainted with the views
and policy of that body, in reference to the
Greenville Railroad bonds; but on account
OF the Iateness of the period at which the
report was presented, aud the pressure OF
other business, the Senate was prevented
from taking any action upon it.
The application of the prohibitions Of the
constitutional Amendment to the Greenville
RAILROAD bonds, derive additional force and
significance from the solemnity and impor-
| tance attached to the ratification of that in
strument. few of the Senators having
voted against it, n resolution was offered by
Mr. Cain, of Charleston, for the appoint
ment OF committee of five, with instruc-
tions to report whether the Senators who
voted IN the negative on the ratification
OF the amendment to the United States
Constitution, had or had not violated their
oaths and committed perjury If it was
then deemed criminal to vote against tho
ratification of the constitutional amendment,
surely faithful compliance with all it's
provisions, now that it is an integral portion
OF the State Constitution, is not the less
binding and obligatory.
Col. Hammett aludes to conversations and
interviews with Governor Scott, in which he
expressed himself favorably in regard to his
bill. 1t is trne that Col. Hammett called on
the Governor with draft of his report
written i'll pencil, protesting to he in re-
sponse to the Joint resolution of the Gene
raj Assembly, requiring all railroads whose
bonds were endorsed by the State, to make
a satisfactory exhibit of their ability to pay
their interest, and that the Governor ex-
pressed the opinion that it WAS n very sat,s-
factory report. He referred to it in his
message to tho General Assembly as an ac
companylng paper, and it was transmitted
herewith. Why it does not appear among
the printed documents, is n matter for Others
to explain, but its absence was of slight i'm
portance, as is shown by the passage of his
bill by so large majority.
Col. Hammett states that in n conycrsa-
ton at the Bank, in presence of Gov. Orr
and Col. Childs, that he (Gov Scott would
do nothing against the BILL and that he can
get the certificate affidavit of those gen
tlemen to that effect. He will not be put
to the trouble of procuring the certificates
of conversation ut q private and social in
terview, usually regarded among gentlemen
as sacred; but he mistakes and mis- states
the purport of that conversation. The only
point discussed at that interview was, ms to
the liability of the State, under the Act of
December, 1866, wherein it was asserted
that the State was bound for the endorse
ment, whether the present Legislature rati-
hed the Act or not. The Governor admitted
the probability that the Acts of the Provi-
slonal Legislature would be held as valid
and binding, where rights had been vested
under them, notwithstanding the ordinance
OF the Constitutional Convention had sus-
pended their operation. At that time, the
Governor had not particularly examined the
Act of 1866, nor was his attention called to
the fact that it was not an original Act, but
merel y amendatory of an Act passed in 1861,
by body not recognized by the State Go
vcrnment. He, however, urged several
objections to the propriety of confirming
the Act of 1866 to the full extent that its
friends demanded. Among others, was his
disbelief that the roed could meet the inte-
rest on the bonded debt, and he urged the
exclusion of the 100000 from the bill.
His exact language to these gentlemen was
that he certainly would not interpose his
own opinions, or oppose the bill, if it was
the desire of the people of the State that it
should become law. He was earnestly as
sured by these gentlemen that it was the
wish of majority of those upon whom the
burden would fall, if from any Gauss the
State would become responsible for her en-
dorsement. The Governor, thereupon, did
probably remark, that under such circun,-
stances, he would do nothing in opposition
to the bill. Now, admitting all this to be
true, and that even Col Hammett's infer
ences are correct, what is the conclusion
that men OF common sense and common
fairness would arrive at in regard to the
matter? Simply that Col. Hammett, and
other friends of the road, in conversation
with the Governor of the State, urged their
views with their usual energy and persis-
tency, In matter in which they as indiyi
duals were deeplY interested and nronoroa