The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-14
Repsft ~ tho qss=H=s:sss sElsysa.
Gen. MO. Buyer, Ife#a the Commit. :
toe OF Eleven, submitted the following

repQrt:y i y. s. j
The oommistee4o whon,s -waa seierfed
the resolution of the Convention, that
acommittee q Of eleven be appointed by
the Chair to confer with hie Exce!tency
Gov. SCOTT, in pursuance OF the fourth
resolution Of the Chamber OF Commerce
and Board of Trade Of the city OF
Charleston, and report.to thia Conyen-
tion in writing or otherwise" !" beg leave
ed conference with the Governor, pursu-
ant to the resolution of instruction,
eliciting the following results:
It was stated to the Executive by your
committee that they visited him, not as
partisnNs OF any political party. but
simply as representatives OF the tax pay
ers of the State, to ascertain in what
manner they could cooperate with him
in correcting many Of the prevailing
evils now causing popular discomfort,
and to obtain from him an official state
ment OF such facts and suggestions rs
would promote confidence aud secure re-
trenchment and economy in the admi-
nistration of the State government. The
Governor, in reply, expressed his graft.
fcation that he was afforded an opportu-
nifty to lay before the representatives of
the taxpayers of the State the facts in
his possession, and suoh information as.
would meet the views Of the committee.
He observed first, with reference TO the
finances Of the State, that, notwith-
standing the rumors that an illegal and
irregular manipulation Of the public
funda had taken place. it was the fact
that nothing had been done involving
the credit Of the State which was not
strictly authorized by law. And to satia-.
fy the committee they were invited by
the Treasurer. Comptroller G General and
State Agent, to make.a thorough exami.
nation Of their respective official ac-
counts. It is very gratifying to your
committee to state that these officials
were present at the interview, and have
given free access to their Offices and
books, upon which special report will
be made by q subcommittee Of this
the printed statement OF the funded
debt Of South Ca1olina, which has been
furnished 10 the members of the Con-
vention by the Comptroller-G General, and
remarked that he believed it to be sub
stantially true, and that he had not
signed any other bonds than those set
forth in said statement, and that none
had been issued except by authority Of
law. firtt
With reference to the unnecessary
multiplication and inorease of State and
County offices, he remarked that he was
satisfied q large number of officials could
be prohtably dispensed with, and that if
the, Convention would take positive
action upon the subject, it would proba-
bly, have weight with the Legislature and
induce economical restrictions, and ex-
pressed the determination to exert his
influence with the General Assembly to
effect that object; oil Of which is more
specifically set forth in the report Of q
subcommittee especially charged with
this branch of their instructions.
Upon the suggestion of your commit
tee, that one of the principal causes of
popular complaint and dissatisfaction
consisted il the fact that many of the
Trial Justices and other. officers and
agencies OF the Law were incompetent.
and SO unequally distributed rs to pre-
vent Convenient and ready access, his
Excellency replied that he fully appre.
ciated the force of the remark, and knew
that this was one Of the most fruitful
canses of the difficulties which have e1-
listed during the last six or eight months:
that, until recently, he had had trouble
IN finding b proper class of men for
Trial Justices and other officers, and that
| he was satisfied that much of the per
| sonal violence and Indifference to law
was due to the fact that the people have
not the means of enforcing the law with
| in their reach.
In reply to an inquiry from your COM
mittee as to his opinion of minority rep
resentation, the Governor vas clear and
| explicit in his endorsement of the plan,
believing, as he said, that it would do
more to destroy prejudice, prevent i'll
feeling anil educate the majority. than
! any event which could occur-that they
would be gamers should the Legislature
at it's next session pass an ACT providing
Tor minority representation.
In regard to the election laws, the Co.
vernon was very decided in the opinion
that they should be amended, alleging
as the reason that as they now stand,
'distrnst was created in the minds of the
people, and temptation offered for the
commission OF fraud. He added that at
the next session of the Legislature he
wonld urge change, so that the ballots
could be counted in public as soon as
the polls were closed.
Your COmmittea nroo1 Tho IN o3,;J;fy nj