Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-04-28
The Future.


The Future.
We clip from the Charleston ,Ne,os the fol-
lowing views of the Governor on the approach
ing May Convention and othor matters OF
public interest.
TIE NAY CONVENTION.
Q. What arc your views, Governor, with
reference to the approaching May Convcn.
ton +?
The Governor. / think it will dovelop
some important facts which ii is proper for
the tax payers more fully to understand, and
among others, that our de[t is not the enor-
nous sum which is charged, but simply the
amount have stated, or very nearly 50, (for
| have not the figures with me.l twill also
bring together elements that have been kept
asunder from various causes, and kindlc u
bcttor feeling than has hitherto existed among
the two parties in the State. Convened ia
the proper spirit, it may indecd be the COM
mcnccment OF that true Reform which was
sought through different channel year ago,
by making all classes of tho people realize
that the dread of each other. exists more iu
imagination than in fact; and gentlomon of
of ability and experience in statcoraft should
have fair share in the responsible places Of
the ST. Government, where their moderate
views on oil subjects which conduce to the
establishment Of oonGdones on tho part of
the payers, will give assurance that, in
taking an active part iu the administration of
public affairs, they will faithfully serve the in
tcrests of the whole people.
q. Do you consider that tho May Conven.
tion will be held in spirit of hostility to you
aud your administration
The Governor. | do not. On tho contra
ry, regard it as an honest effort, on the part
of most of the gentlemen connected with the
movement, to develop what has been set forth
in the resolutions of tho Board of Trade and
Chamber Commerce namely, the truth or
falsity of the report that there has been
large increase in the State debt. I should be
moro pleased, however, were assured thut
she proceedings would not tuke q political
turn. The delegates ought to be selected
without reference to their political affiliations
and opinions.
TIE ROCKS AND SHOALS OF THE ADMINISTRA-
TION.
q. would like to know what have been
the chief difficulties with which you have had
to contond il your administration thus far?
The Governor. First, the efforts of the
outside parties to push through legislation
which was destructive of the best interest of
the State, and only beneficial to few indi-
viduals. Secondly, the promptpess with
which the Legislature yielded in many cases
to these influences, and carried out measures
in which their constituents had no concern
Z. Was there not open and direct bribery?
The Governor. Well, the facility with
which local interests of the State were neg.
lcctcd, besides certain other signs more per.
sonal in their character, induced those who
we're not connected with the Legislature to
believe that improper influences had been
brought to bear in order to effect these OBJ.
jccts. Whether it is true or not, have had
no means Of knowing.
large?
The Governor UndoassiiGsH4y but I had
no means of limiting them. largo number
Of the attaches received. pay for services that
might have been dispensed with, while the
length of the session, unnecessarily prolonged,
again increased the expenses l have no
means Of knowing, and, up to this time, have
not been able TO ascertain how many employ
ees there were, in and around the capital, or
what were their duties.
WANTED-GOoD MEN.
G. One moro question, and am DONE
In selecting officials, do you feel yourself con
fined exclusively to those who arc in open
aliiation with the Republican party2
The Governor | have never done SO hith.
erto, nor do expect to be governed by the
ordinary rules adopted by other administrn-
tons. We're l to attempt to apply the rule
strictly, should fail in many instances in
securing tho best men for the positions.
can only refer you to my last inaugural ad-
dress IN Which proposed to consult the fit.
ness and qualification of man, rather than
the claims of mere politician.
MINORITY REPRESENTATION.
q. Changing the subject, somcwhas ad-
ruptIy, what are your views on the new cues
ton of minority representation
The Governor. have given that matter
considerable reflection, and believe the mi.
nority system to be the best plan Of represcn.
tation Et must be patent to every one that
majority, unchecked and untrammelcd.
may, by legislation, do an infinite amount
OF harm, and that the cnly mode by which
the evil can be limited, and greater purity in
the administration of affairs be secured in any
Commonwealth, is by allowing the minority to
have representation corresponding with
their strength. TO accomplish that purpose
in South Carolina, however, it would first be
necessary, to make change in the constitu.
ton, which, by the way, all the people of the
State will in nv iudomnpt coo, renu;ro no