The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-27

those referred to. Such is not the ease. With
nv consent it shall never be done.
THE BOARD OF TRADE AND CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE.
@. Iwould like to hear your views concern
ing the recent action of the Board of Trade
and Chamber of Commerce in this city2
The Governor. can only say that the allie
cations made by both of those bodies on the
subject of the State debt rest on no truthful
foundation. These gentlemen have unques-
tionably been misled, or they have themselves
misinterpreted facts and figures, for will not
be so uncharitable as to suppose that two or
CARNATIONS representing the wealth and COM
merce of Charleston have assumed such an e1-
traordinary position for merely political or par
tisan purposes. have given you full state
ment of all the obligations due by the State,
and it is my answer to their proceedings.
@. What has been the influence of the ac-
ton of the Board of Trade and Chamber of
Commerce on our bonds in New York and else
where?
The Governor. 1t has been decidedly perni-
cious. The value of the bonds on the market
has been deprecated, and it is more difficult
than before for our financial agent to carry the
debt he has been compelled to assume.
H. II. KIMPToN.
O. Why is it necessary that the State should
be in debt to Mr.. Kimpton to the amount of
million of dollars?
The Governor. From the fact which you
will understand by reference to the manner of
collecting the taxes. In other words, we have
had to spend the money and collect the taxes
to pay the debt afterwards. For instance, the
levy of taxes for 1868 was not made until Sep
tember of that year. The auditors and treas
urers were unable to prepare their books and
papers for collection until May, 1869. Hence
we were obliged to raise money to pay the
debts Of 1868, and most of 1869, before q dollar
of the tax was collected. The taxes for 1869
were not collected until between March and
July, 1870, and now we are in the midst of
April, 1871, collecting the tax to meet expenses
incurred for the year 1870 This is the reason
why we have been obliged to borrow money
through Mr. Kimpton, and hypothecate the
bonds in his hands.
THE MAY CONVENTION.
@. What are your views, Governor, with
reference to the approaching May Convention ?
The Governor. I think it will develop some
important facts which it is proper for the tax
payers more fully to understand, and, among
Others, that our debt is not the enormous sum
which is charged, but simply the amount 1
have stated, or very nearly SO, (for have not
the figures with me.) 1t will also bring to-
gether elements that have been kept asunder
from various causes, and kindle better feel
ing than has hitherto existed among the two
parties in the State. Convened in the proper
spirit, it may indeed be the commencement of
that true Reform which was sought through q
different channel year ago, by making all
classes of the people realize that the dread of
each other exists more in imagination than IN
fact; and that gentlemen of ability and expe-
rience in Statecraft should have fair share in
the responsible places of the State government,
where their moderate views on all subjects
which conduce to the establishment of con-
idence of the taxpayers, will give assurance
that, in taking an active part in the admins
tration of public affairs, they will faithfully
serve the interests of the whole people.
@. Do you consider that the May Convention
will be held in a spirit Of hostility to you and
your administration?
The Governor. do not On the contrary,
regard it as an honest effort, en- the part of most
of the gentlemen connected with the move
ment, to develop what has been set forth in
the resolutions of the Board of Trade and
Chamber of Commerce the truth or
falsity of the report that there has been a large
increase in the State debt. / should be more
pleased, however, were I assured that the
proceedings would not take political turn.
The delegates ought to be selected without
reference to their political affiliations and
opinions.
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.
@. Do you think you observe any decided
change in the public sentiment of the State,
looking to political combination of the two
races7
The Governor. 1 think that the moderate
views recently uttered by the press of the
faI 10 fscc
are tending to ebliterate the prejudces and
fears once entertained by Republicans that if
the State fell into the hands of the opposition,
or the leading native white citizens were given
any considerable influence in the administra-
ton of affairs, they would use it to the injury
of the political status of the newly enfran-
chised class, and employ the dominant power in
depressing those with whom they might differ
in politics. Whether this belief was well
founded will not undertake to say, but that it
has existed honestly in the minds of almost all
Republicans in the State, there is not the least
doubt.
@. Allow me to ask what you think is ne
cessary for the people of the State to do in
order to effect perfect harmony between all
classes?
The Governor The answer is in nutshell.
Let the intelligent whites of the State show by
their acts that they would not, if they had the
power, interfere with the rights and privileges
of the newly enfranchised citizen. Confidence
car only be inspired by practical illustration.
Pledges are all very well in their way, but pal
pable results are better.
@. That being true, why did not the colored
people accept the right hand of fellowship ex-
tended to them during the last campaign
The Governor. Because up to the time of
the nomination different policy prevailed
The conversion was too sudden. The Republi-
cans doubted you. Furthermore it was shown
to be purely political movement, in which
nothing more was desired than to gain the as,
cendancy without reference to the character OF
persons put in nomination for various offices.
I hold that whatever reform is necessary must
be accomplished through the combined infu-
onno of the nond men of the State and the