The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-05
Mr.. sooe,,s R.ply,s-A.a .

tT1utR. E$oLVf cuHlfmaVc ~ the C0mm1e-
Zee l9f the Payers Convention, 10
Ahe spresamptuousi letter Of the; State
Treasurer. NJ will be; ssssn fhat Mr..
Scott very effeotually meets. The issue
raised by the State Treas,rer. ana leaves
him exposed to the public view: ls
COLUMBIA, August 8, 1871
Niles Ct. Parker, T. ST., State Treasurer. :
Sir: Yonrsof 28sh ultimo was received
on the 1st-instant, and I,regrat the ne.
oessity of replying, which might have
been avoided by your declining to enter
tain my proposition when it was made TO
you in person. You refuse my upplica-
ton on two grounds; that it wns not au-
thorized by any body, and that your
oMce had been sufficiently examined. I
differ with yon on both points; and, after
stating my reasons. win leave others to
Judge which Of us is right.
The following quotations from the
proceedings Of tho Convention will show
the authority under which wo proposed
to act, aB also the scope and extent of
our powers, and the object of our mp
pointment. These mny seem somewhut
tedious, but are necessary to IA full un.l
fair understanding Of the. subject.
From Mr.. Trenholm's report. (pro-
oeedings Of Convention, page 1893 ut
will be seen, for example, by acupnnt
'B,'ithnt at the end '6f the year the total
Of the sum charged to the 'rrensurcr. by
Mr.. Kimpton. was. $l,g07,924 81, while
the,sums credited TO, Mr. .Kimpton, by
tue Treasurer. amounted. to 1928 600;
exhibiting a discrepancy or disagreement
Of !$384, ,924 81. In like manner account
'C'. exhibits disagreement Of $294,-
726. 80. It is true these accounts were
recently brought into accomplishment, or
rather into conformity, with tho accounts
Of Clio agency. There is ndded to both
an acuonnt of the subsequent interest by
which this was effected. Nothing ap-
pears in. these ACCOUNTS to impeach their.
correctness. but it will be seen how wide
open is the door for errors and disputes,
if for no graver missortunes..
Then follows thoao items: ,.'..Accoupt
3D. fiscal year 1869, for expenses, In
oludiug interest as explained to the com
mittee. $64, 9967l. Account &C. fiscal
year 1870, for expenses, including iute-
! rest, S94, ,077.42" But deductiDg the
above item for 1859 from the discrepan-
oy Of that year. there is still a balance OF
$3IQ. .027.83; and similar deduction for
1870, leaves balance Of Sl99, 749. so
| not explained or accounted for to the
committee.
Extract from Mr. Trenholm's report.
| proceedings, page 114:) "The examinn-
| WIS found impossible, as his books OF
account are, necessarily, in New York.
The Importance Of such ali examination
issr however, recognized in the interest Of
the State. and for the satisfaction of the
Financial Agent, by whom it ia courte-
ously and cordially invited. The same
may be said of The seoeral e6icers Of AAe
State, to ,rhOn, application for Information
ras made by your COMMITTEES. Mr. Nen-
gle. the Comptroller @ General, was par
ticularly pressing in his solicitations that
all his books and accounts might be tho
roughly and critically examined"
| now cite that portion OF Gen. But.
ler's report under which our committee
| was appointed, to show that we were not
merely. to confer with the Legislative
Committee, as stated by you. U'ro-
ceedinga, p. 1869
"a committee on the part OF the lie
gislatute is now in session in this city,
charged with the Investigation of the
transactions Of some of tho State Off
cials. Your committee recommend the
appointment Of committee Of three,
ny the President, whose duty it shall be,
as. representatives of o large body OF the
taxpayers Of the Statej to tender their
services and cooperation to the Legisla-
tive Committee, in nid Of the inyestiga-
tion now going on.
"Yonr committee, not having the au-
thority of law to press their inquiry into
the numerous alleged frauds aud corrup-
tion to q satisfactory conclusion, and re-
cognizing the OCCASION as ono of too
much gravity to be hastily aud unad-
viselly passed upon, have declined to be
influenced in this regard by the up-
sworn statements of individuals. The
foregoing recommendations, however, if
carried out will tost tho sincerity of
those who have the authority for inves-
tigatioD. md lead to publication Of the
body politic."
In pursuance of this report, our com
mittee was appointed; and when we ten
dered our services to the Legislative
Committee, with M offer to act directly
with them, they declined the offer. for
the reason that their work was too far
advanced for us to practically act with
them without going over the whole field
Of Investigation. They recommended,
however. and thereby authorized us, to
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