The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-05-18
THE PEOPLES CONVENTION.
= IAN INTERVIEW WITH THE
GOVERNOR. -, r.r. L.
COLUMBIA: Wednesday May 10.

The great feature Of tb-day's doings ha
been the protractcd interview of the com
mittee of the convention with Governo
Scott. .... i.'-! ':.-.'
At II o'clock to-day tho committee o
eleven, appointed to confer with the Govern
or on various subjects, called upon the Ex
ecutive, and an important interview occur
red. The committee consisted of the follow
lowing delegates: NC. Butler, Calwalde
Jones, Gabriel Cannon, B. W. Ball, W. II
Ball, w. II. Wallace, Richard Lathcrs, A
NJ. Lowry, G.. A. Trenholm, L. j. Scott
: w. B. Smith, 7. c. Weatherly.
General Butler, Is chairman, opened tht
conversation, by saying thai t.o---v,rrHrittc,
appeared, pursuant to resolutions ofthe con
vention, not as pa:Sisans, or members of any
political organization, but S!!m9ly as citizens
Of the State, to ascertain in what PARTICULARS
they might be able to cooperate with his
Excelleucy, in bringing better condition Of
affairs in South Carolina. That there was
corruption, violence, and disturbed condi.
ton of society, all parties conceded but,
with proper understanding and an exhibi-
tion of the right spirit, he believed that the
difficulties might br removed.
The Governor expressed much gratifica-
ton at the opportunity to lay before the
representatives Of the taxpayers ofthe State
all the facts iu his possession relative to tile
finances of tho State. 1t has been wildly
conjectured, he said, that an illegal and If
regular manipulation of the public funds had
taken place but, in fact, nothing had been
done involving the credit of the State
not strictly authorized by law, Both the
Executive and State officials invite full in
vestigation of tic books and accounts, and
the committee will thus be able to correct
many false impressions. / desire continued
the Governor, cordially to co operate with
you in satisfying the public mird on this
subject. At my own invitation, the treas
urer, the comptroller general, the State agent
and other officials are present, and all cx-
press the utmost willingness to lend their
aid to the committee. Concerning the pub
lie debt statement made by the comptroller
,ncral, believe It to be substantially true.
OF necessity, expenses arc accommodating and
greater than they ought to be; but, when
there is distrust Of the public credit, the
State which owes money is forced to pay
larger rate Of interest than one perfectly
solvent. Hence, the val1e Of securities is
lessencd and the difficulties Of tho admins
tration are increased. For this condition of
affairs l an not responsible and l think
the officers have done everything they could
to give confidence to the public concerning
the fairness with which their duties have
been discharged.
Butler. l am happy to state that the
treasurer and comptroller have indicated a
willingness to facilitate investigation, and
the subcommittee has been at work this
morning, The examination, Of course, will
require time to verify the correctness Of the
statement of the debt would now call his
Excclcncy's attention to the resolution, in
quiring to what extent county Offices hare
been unnecessarily increased. In my own
county, for instance, twcnty-scven men are
required to perform the duties connected
with the assessment AID collection of taxes,
discharged before the war by one. Is it net
possible that portion Of these may be dis
pcnscd with, thus reducing the local ex-
penscs? We ask nothing which may not be
complied with consistently i'll our judgment.
Our object is not to impair your administra-
ton, but to aid you in every possible way in
exercising economy in government.
Governor. l feel gratilicl at these assur-
ances in behalf of the convention. The in
crease Of offices was due to the belief that the
new system Of government would esquire ad-
ditional means, bnt I am saGSfedSa large
number of persons can proftablybe, ,dispeus,
ed with. 1t certainly costs too lnHehto Cyl
lect the taxes, and there is abundaH room
for retrenchnent. No doubt there is, also,
too much money paid to school and county
commissioners. Unfortunately they are not
surrounded with sufficient checks. IF the
convention would take positive action, and
express IN opinion concerning the many off,
ees created by the constitution, [ believe it
would have weight with the Legislature, and
economical restrictions. In one OF the coun-
ties the commissioner gels one thousand dol
lars salary, and yet there is but one school
in the county That is an absurdity. Again
the comptrollcr-scncral might discharge the
duties Of State Auditor, and the office of
assistant adjutant- -sencralmight be abolished.
Butler. There is another class of Offices,
in whom a change is desirable, l refer to
the trial justices. Not being properly dis
tributed, or because they are illitcrate men
rather than use the ordinary legal agencies,
being unable to secure them without travel
ling many miles, are often tempted to take
the law into their own hands. These things
tend to violence All We ask is, that while
we have to support the government VIC may
enjoy the benefits that flow from a good one.
Give the people honest officials, and you will
have no cause to complain.
Governor. fullyappreciate your. remarks.
Bad officials have probably been one of the
most fruitful causes Of trouble during the
last six or eight months. Until recently,
however, from circumstances beyond my con-
troll, have had difficulty in finding suitable
norsono for trinl iuctirns Nv imnresGiOn is