The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-11
The Old Patricians OF the State Arranging q
Financial System With Governor Scott.
TWO klJLArTO OFFICIALS TAKING PART.
Harmony and BrOtllerly Love
Prevailing.
Speech Of General Trenholm and Other
Titled Gentry in the Convention.

usual scene. committee OF eleven gentlemen,
headed by Major General Butler. late OF the Con-
federate army; George A. Trenholm, cx Confederate
Secretary or the Treasury; Mr.. Richard Lathcrs;
Colonel Ball, OF Laurens Mr.. Gabriel Cannon ana
seven other gentlemen most prominent In the State,
who mad been appointed
TO CONFER WITH THE GOVERNOR
to find some means OF remedying the abuses now
prevalent, held an interview IA accordance with
resolutions passed In the Taxpayers Convention now
In session here Secretary or state Cardozo. mu-
atto; Lieutenant Governor Rans!er, brown man;
COMPTROLLER General Neagle, who weighs about I'D
pounds; State Treasurer Parker. Financial Agent
II. II. Kinpton, Auditor Dean, State superintendent
or Education JlllsOn and other officials were
present. II was the first time since 1865 that
these gentlemen, representing any deliberat,vc body,
had met any Official representing the republican
government OF South Carolina, anu some or the COM
mlttee had never met or spoken TO Governor Scott,
and consequently there was much curiosity excited
to see
HOW THE INTERVIEW WOULD RESULT.
An invitation hal been extended to tho Judges or
the Supreme COlrt of South Carolina to attend, but
they were not present The committee ranged them
selves around the Governors Room AMI took seats,
ana the Governor entered, neatly attred IN black
broadcloth suit. General Butler who "a
wooden leggen veteran OF the Lost Cause,
read the resolutions or the Convention separately to
the Governor and stated the OBJECT Of the commit
tee briefly. General Butler, AZ chairman, opened
conversation BY saying the committee appeared pur.
suant to the resolutions, not as parlsans members
or any political organization. but simply citizens
of the state, to ascertain In what particular they
could be able to cooperate with his Exceency In
bringing better condition OF affairs to South Car.
olina. That there were corruption, violence ana q
generally disturbed condition OF society all parties
conceded, but with proper understanding ana an
exhibition OF The right spirit he believed
TIE DIFFICULTIES MIGHT DE REMOVED
Governor Scott expressed his qualification at tho
opportunity to lay before the representative tax
payers Of the State all facts his possession relating
to the finances OF the State. 1t has been wildly
jec.ured that Illegal anl irregular manipulation OF
the public funds had taken place. but noting had
been doue involving the credit OF the
State not strictly authorized by law. Both
the Executive and State officials invite full
Investigation into their books ana accounts and
the committee win thus be able to correct many
false impressions al desire cordially to cooperate
with you IN satisfying tie public mind this sub
ject. At my own invitation the Treasurer, Comp.
troller State Agent and other officials are present.
ana all express the utmost Willingness t. lena their
| aid to the committee"
| CONCERNING The PUBLIC DEBT STATEMENT
Made by the Comptroller. believe 1t is substan-
italy true. VI necessity he expenses are accumu-
lating, and greater than they ought to be; but
when there Is distrust OF public credit, the Stale
which owes money Is always forced to pay q
larger rate OF interest than one perfectly solvent
Hence The value OF securities IS lesseDed and the
difficulties OF administration are increased. For
this condition Of affairs am not Responsible and
think the officers have done everything they could
10 give confidence TO the pabiic concerning the
fauness WiLi WHICH their dutics have been dis
charged
Gene al BUrlHn-I am happy that the state Treo.
surer aud Comptroller have Indicated willingness
10 facilitate the investigation. The subcommittee
have been at work this morning. Inc examination,
or course, requires time to verify the correctness of
the statement of the debt. Now would cal your
Exce,lencys attention to the resolution aquiring TO
what extent county officers nave been unneces-
sarlly increased. In my own county, Tor instance
twenty-sevcp men are required TO perform duties
taxes discharged before the war by one. Is it not
possible that portion OF these can be dispensed
with, thus reducing local expenses We ask
emily IN our Judgment Our object Is not TO impair
your administration, but to aid II in every possible
way In exercising economy in the government.
GovERNoR-l feel grati0ed at your friendly assur-
ances on behalf Of the Convention. The increase Of
Offices was due to the belief that the new system OF
government would require additional means; but
am satisfied that large numbers of persons can pro-
ltably be dispensed with. Certainly 1t costs too
much to collect taxes, and there Is abundant room
for reirenonnent. There Is no question, also, that
County sass Sey a are
not surrounded with sufficient checks If
express opinion concerning many or Tie Offices
created by the constitution believe II would have
weight with the Legislature, and induce economc1i
restrictions. In one OF The counties the Commits.
sioncr gets a thousand dollars salary. There Is bat
one school in the county. That Is absurdty. Again,
the Comptroller General might discharge the duties
ot Stqle Snditpr ana the Assistant Adjulant Gene
ial might b6 abolished.
General BUrLER-There Is another class OF officers
IN whom change ~ desirable. refer to Trial JUS
tees. Not being properly distributed, Incorporate
mea rather than use the ordinary legal agencies,
being unable 10 secure them without travelling
many niles, are tempted to take the law Into their
own HANDS. These things tend 10 violence. All we
Ask is that, While We have 10 support tie govern
ment We may enjoy the benefits that dow from
good one Give me people honest officials and you
GoyIRNoR-i fully appreciate 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 circun-
stances beyond my control I've had difficulty in
NV Impression is that the law should be
amended and magistrates be elected by the people.
an well CONVINCED that much violence and indf.
ference TO the law IL owing to the fact nat the peo
pie have not hal the means of enforcing the law
within their own reach With reference 10 the rcso.
Tns NUMBER or BONDS
signed and disposed Of the report OF the Comp
troller gives ali the Information possess.
The Governor here recspitulated the statement,
using substantially the same fscts published. He
IN his judgment. vas the iss.e OF si,25o,ooo for
funding OF bills in the bank of the state and from
that mold that balance Is merely charge In form OF
debt. A regards rumors concerning over issue OF
bonds, they have no foundation whatever
In reply to question OF General Butler, as 10 MS
opinion on minority representation, the Governor
| remarked that Willie 1t would be an extraordinary
act Of maRnaniinity on the part OF The majority TO
i concede the privilege II IL OF the greatest import
/ ance to the people. | believe 1t VIII d. more
/ To Df.fR0y PREJUDICE,
prevent iil-fellng and educate the majority than any
event that could occur. Tney would be the gamers
should the Legislature next session pass an act pro-
vidDg for minority representation. | know many
polucai friends disagree with me, but feel IL my
duty 10 support measures for the good OF the people,
BurLER--0ne OF the chief complaints OF tho people
from recent change In the lime OF col.
lection OF taxes, competing during the present year
| the payment practically Of two leves. We should
be glad to hear your views on the proprety OF post
poning the collection " such course 4 practicable.
! COvERSoR--The princlpa. object or tue change
may briefly be stalled We found ourselves every
year on the lst or January without money. The
interest on the puolic debt Il payable a that lime,
large class oil persons realize from their crops in
| the fall and during the months Of November and