The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-09

my private interests as taxpayer also
impel me to cooperate in any measure
that will tighten the taxes, reduce tho
expenditure of public moneys, and, at
the same time, preserve the public credit.
AS ycu have invited my opinion, would
venture to suggest that committee of
your convention call upon the officers
charged with the care Of the public
moneys, for an exhibit Of their books aud
all official records relating to the State
debt, and the receipts and disbursements
OF the funds committed to their custody,
during their administration OF their re-
spective departments. I trust that these
officers will cheerfully give the commit
tee access to NIL sources OF information
without reserve. and aid them in person
to arrive at correct conclusion; and, if
it were deemed expedient for this COM
mittee to extend it's researches to the
financial agency in New York, will rem
dor any aid within nay power to facilitate
the object of such examination, believ-
ing, as do, that the more complete the
Investigation, the more beneficial will be
tho result in satisfying tho tax payers
ind the public creditors, that my exist
ing distrust OF the healthy condition Of
our finances has arisen from want of
Information ON tho one hand and Of mis-
representation on the other.
do not wish to be understood as in
| tlmatipg that there has boon no extrnva
gance in the expenditure of tho pubic
moueys -or no improvidcnt legislation.
These evils have existed, and demnnd
correction. The first and most natural
remedy for these evils, would be to secure
fDr the State the services of citizens
| whose experience and personal character
would furnish guarantee for wise legia-
lation. md Il jndicious expenditure Of
tho public funds. Events in this Stnte
Tor the past three yenrs have not been
propitious to secure the services Of that
may tend to the achievement Of this de-
sirable end, in any manner consistent
with our system OF free government, will
deserve tho earliest attention and sup
port OF the Generul Assembly
my he pardonod for thus even cnsu-
ally allnling to the political situation. as
this must bu recognized in the applica-
ton of any practical remedy for the de-
ranged condition OF our fnnnces. either
real or supposed.
Yet, even with tho most economical
aud provident administration OF the
affairs Of the State, it would bo impossi-
bic to reduce public expenditure to the
anti-wnr standard. The basis OF our
government is essentially changed. At
present. we hnve more than double the
population to be provided for, by law,
than formerly. and sharing in and direct
ly subject to the civil administration,
ind the expenditure must be, therefore,
absolutely greater.
So far as that expenditure has been
unnecessarily or disproportionately in.
crensed it should be corrected, and this
ls the true financial problem. Any action
that the convention. rising above the
spirit Of the partisan, {as trust it will, J
mny take, in the interest OF the whole
people. TO solve this problem, should
receive the cordial support of all good
citizens. and shall, most nssuredly, have
mine.
Permit me to add. in conclusion, that
the disturbed condition Of the country,
resulting in violence. and in many in
stances murder, tends to demornlize
every department of industry, and seri-
ously checks the advancement OF the
material interests of the State. I trust
that this convention may give some pub
lie expression of decided condemnation
of this lawlesancss. While I do not
believe that the gentlemen composing
that convention can. hy any expression
Of theirs, control the action of indivi-
duais or combinations that endanger life
and property, yet I nm sure, that as
representative men from every section
OF the State, their denunciation of all
disturbers OF the public peace will do
much to unite oil good citizens in an
active effort for the maintenance OF law
and order.
I am. gentlemen, very respectfully.
your obedient servant.
ROBERT X. SCOTT.
To JOHN AaNEw, r. D. SEsN and
others.
Mn. EDITOR: I hope the members OF
tho convention will carefully consider
the course they suggest for the people to