The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-10-04

Public Meeting on Ysstsrday4.Address
or ,. m. Baxter, Esq.
The. public meeting called for yester-
day was hold, after the public Gales, IN
the court House, conrteously placed by
Col. shivet at the disposal OF the Com
mittee of-Arrangements. The hall was
soon well filed by both Glasses of voters.
Upon motion, O. p. Pelham. Esq, was
called to preside, and A. @. Moore, Esq,
requested to act as Secretary. Mr.. Pei.
ham, after some Introductory observa-
tions, introduced J. NJ. Baxter, Esq, OF
Newberry, who had been assigned. with
Ex- Governor Vance and J. S. Richard
son, Esq, to the duty of addressing our
people, on the issues of the hour, in be-
half of reform. Messrs. Vance and Rich
ardson were not present. Mr.. Baxter
was received with applause, and made
IN effective speech. We can refer to
only few leading points The
speaker adverted concisely, earnestly
and forcibly to the reconstruction poll
cy of President Johnson, and the re-
construction measures of Congress,
whereby the State policy aud the ma
chinery of State Government, adopted
under President Johnson's policy, was
displaced, and the present administra-
ton of the State Government was inau-
gurated. He inquired if the assertion
contained III the platform of the Re-
form Convention, that the Government
was incompetent. extravngant, preju-
-
ed that the Government had failed, by
weakness or indisposition, to keep tie
peace; explained clearly the origin of the
disturbances in Newberry and Laurens
Counties, tracing them to the mal adj
ministratiOn of Governor Scott, and the
evil teachings of Joseph Crews, his min
ion and ready tool.
The speaker contrasted the present
taxation with the taxation required be-
fore the war, making ample allowance
for increase of cost in everything, and
proved the taxation oppressive, aud the
expenditures wastefui. instancing the
cost of the Secretary of States office,
by way of salary and clerks hire, the
duties of which Office had been per-
formed by good men before the war for
the pcrqusites. Exposed the plundering
Of the Treasury, and the corruption Of
the Legislature, wherein Tim. Hurley
was held up as ''the man of the period"
and the specimen of his pnrty-the stan
tlard bearer for the proud old CITY Bo
side the Sea-" In terms of fearless
strength, Mr.. B. mercilcssly exposed the
unconstitutionality of tho Trial Justices
and their jurisdiction, their weakness
and corruption, their oppression end
their fear of Scott's displeasure. He
charged upon the present administration.
o weak judiciary and crowded docket.
the delay of justice, and the increased
cost of litigation. He said the old pro-
verb, ''as sober as a judge" was fast los.
ing its Significance, and even place in
the memory of our people.
The speaker adverted to the promise
made by the Governor ut the city , of
Washington to govern the State in future
of his policy then foreshadowed showed
all looking to coercion at the ballot-box.
Mr.. B. urged most earnestly that no ef-
fort be spared to procure u fair ballot,
and that the box be kept undebauched; !;
that the law must be observed, if posi-
bic, and the greatest forbearance should
be exercised, particularly to the weak
and misguided; but that if bloodshed
and violence should ensne from the NAL
administration Of the officers of the pre-
sent Government and their evil and Sc
ditions teachings and unlawful actions,
the ignorant and misguided tool should
be overlooked aud the chief and prime
mover should be held responsible. That
the law of God and nun 30 required.
HIS effort for Reform WAS well received
by u crowded house.
Upon motion, the meeting adjourned.
Good inl-intrenchments in war
retrenchments in peace.