The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-28


formation of members and the people of the
State:
COLUMBIA, S. c., July :, 1871.
Hon. ". D. Porter, President Taxpayers Con-
sIR-As chairman of the committee to aid
the special legislative committee, charged
with the investigation of the transactions of
some of the State officials, I beg leave, res
pectfully. TO report that We have endeavored
to discharge the duty assigned us, but have
not been able.
On the 18th. of May. the day after the con.
vention adjourned, saw General Dennis,
chairman Of the legislative committee, and in
formed him of our appointment and readiness
to cooperate with them in making the lives
tigation, and he promised to give me an an.
sWer after comforting with his committee: IA
give no definite reply, saying his committee
had not been together. On Tuesday, 18th,
sent him the following note. (See CORES
pondence No. 1.) To this he promised an an
swer on the meeting of his committee, but
none arriving up to Friday, the 10th, then ad-
dressed him as follows. Correspondence NO.
81 On Saturday, goth, received the follow
ing communication. Correspondence. No. 81
Meantime, the Governor and treasurer left
Columbia for New York, before could see
either OF them, and upon consulting General
Wallace, we concluded to wait their return.
As soon as they got back, which was not till
late in June, showed Governor Scott the cor
respondence. and he suggested our going on
with the investigation, stating that he pre-
sumed the officers interested would make no
objection, and that although some irregularity
had occurred, we would find that nothing IL
legal had been done.
I then applied to the comptroller and treas
urer for leave to examine tue accounts and
papers in their respective offices. The former
mr. Nooo1aN OfTarad furnish avery facility
in his power in furtherance OF our object, but
Mr.. Parker, the treasurer, said that, whilst he
was willing 10 do what was legal land proper
in the matter, he thought his Office had been
sufficiently examined; that. one OF his clerks
had lost nearly two months In waiting on the
legislative committee, and another might De
occupied three months with us, without COM
pensation for his services or loss of time He
finally agreed, however. that If would state
distinctly what we desired he would decide
and let me know. Accordingly, on the 24th
of June, sent him this letter. CORES
pondence No. A. This was handed to clerk
in his office, who took it into the treasurer's
room, and, on returning, said Mr. Parker
would give me an answer. After waiting
week without hearing from him, sent the
note Correspondence No. 81 10 his office,
where it was left to be delivered to him.
And now, two weeks more having passed,
with mo response on his part, consider his
silence-as equivalent to refusal, and request
that we be discharged from any further con-
nection with the subject.
Our committee, and We believe the conven-
ton, understood and expected that the fnan-
cial officers oil the State would, for their own
sake as well as ours, afford us the amplest op-
portunlty of verifying the statements made by
them while the convention was In session.
But, between the Legislative committee and
the treasurer, SUCH opportunity has been de-
MED or evaded.
By no fault of ours ne have been prevented
from performing our duty to the convention
and to the public, and hope, in justice to us,
that you will make the facts known, at such
time and in such manner as you may think
best. Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN j. SCOTT, Chairman.