The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-15
The Work of the Convention.

The Work of the Convention.
The Taxpayers Convention has accom-
plished its work and adjourned. 1t is conce-
ded by all parties, and by oil intelligent men
without regard to politics, that the Conven-
ton is one OF the most important delibera-
! tive assemblies that has ever met in South
Carolina. The platform of the Convention
established the fact that the people mediate
no resistance whatever to the Government
of the United States; that they regard the
Reconstruction measures as fnalities; that
they look tu time and peaceful agencies only
for the solution of any difficulties that may
now or hereafter exist in the administration
of the affairs OF the State; and, finally, that
certain measures OF reform are essential to
the peace and prosperity OF the Common
wealth. Committees were appointed who
we're charged with the duty Of reporting
upoE lnt existing public evils, and the rem
edies therefor. These committees were COM
posed of the abest citizens Of South Caro-
lina-men who have many times before been
tried in council and not found wanting; the
men most distinguished for learning, judg-
ment, prudence and craftsmanship and
their views have been presented with force
and moderation. Let US briefly review the
| results OF their work:
l. The plan of Cumulative Voting, to tue
end that the taxpaying minority OF sixty
| thousand may be represented in the next
! Legislature, has been adopted, after endorse
ment by pronounced and leading Republi-
cans, and committee appointed to press
the matter upon the General Assembly when
it next conyenes.
2. The credit Of the State has been
strengthened. The sum total of the public
debt is discovered to be, say $500, 600, and
sthe honor and funds of the State are law
'fully pledged for the redemption thereof"
a plaa has also been suggested for the more
advantageous manipulation of the funded
debt to the end that expenditures may be
reduced.
3. It was solemnly declared that the Ster.
ling Loan, or any other obligations hereafter
issued by authority OF the State, would not
be held binding on the people, and the tax
payers were urged to resist Lhe'payment OF
the same by all the legitimate means in their
power. A Committee of Five were also ap-
pointed 10 confer with the representatives OF
the Fire Loan Securities OF the State with
view to IN early liquidation OF these obliga-
lions.
4. A pledge was given by his Excellency
the Governor that he would use his influence
in securing change in the present election
law, so that the ballots would hereafter be
counted in public, and temptations to fraud
be removed.
5. II was agreed by the Governor that the
penalty sor the nol-payment Of the Novem-
Der tax would not be enforced until the first
of March, thus practically extending the
time of payment for the benefit OF the tax
payers.
6. The alleged frauds committed by the
Legislature in the passage OF the Blue Ridge
Railroad bill were discussed, and the matter
was referred to eminent counsel for further
| considecati
I. The Governor admitted that the State
and County officers, elective and appointed,
were unnecessarily multiplied, and it was
agreed 10 urge upon the General Assembly
the adoption of some plan of retrenchnent
| and reform His Excelency likewise prom
ised to remove incompetent trial justices and
other officials, aud to replace them with per-
sons WHO enjoy the confidence OF the COM
munity.
S. In view of the many frauds which have
been perpetrated, the Attorney-General was
requested to attach the property OF persons
in default to the treasury, to proceed against
them by legal process, in order that public
example NAV be made, and to provide
suitabie remuneration TO informers.
9. Provision was made for IA rigid invesli-
cation of the affairs of the Land Commits
sion.
TO- The Governor and Attorney-Generai
were requested to require OF the Fiscal
Agent Of the State bond, with sufficient
security, to protect the interests committed
to his clarge.
IL A series of recommendations to the
Legislature were adopted, looking to the pas
sage Of laws whereby honesty would be
secured in the administration OF public af-
fairs and reduction OF expense be effected
in various departments Of the State Govern
| ment.
l2. L: was ordered that both the Execu-
tive Committee aud The Committee OF Eleven
have authority TO continue in permanent
session after the adjournment Of the Con-
vention; to Gull the body together whenever
! the eSigency may require; and to appoint
ub-committees to proceed to New York and
10 Columbia to aid in Carrying out the views