The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1871-05-18
Taxpayers Convention.


tion substantially as follows: ~
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION I
thank you for the honor conferred upon
Inc. am glad to sec around me so many
ot the good mon and true, to whom South
Carolina iu her better days was glad to
contde her honor. aud who aro now as
faithful as they ever have been. NV only
regret is, thrt the occasion. is not more
happy and pleasant. TO rebukc eorrup-
ton In high places, and to be obliged to
take measures to save ourselves from ire
treIvab'c ruin, is duty by no means plea
SAINT. AS it has been placed upon US, let
us discharge it munfuly and with fidelity.
The fundamental law Of the State and the
United States secures to the ?oplc the
rightiso assemble pcacablv, and to seek by
all lawful means redress for their rrievan.
ccs. We arc assembled in such n manner
ard Tor such purpose. 1t is admitted
by fair-minded men Of oil parties that
there are great public grievances, and that
by their presence, there has been called
into existence such a Convention rs this
n Convention Unprecedented in all the
history Of the Slate--a Convention to
secure to ourselves proper share in a
Legislative power; We are simply nm advi-
rory body; but we can iaquirc and invcs-
tiSatc; wo can collect an cmbody invcsti-
CATION; we can recommend to the people,
who have conferred ujon US this t,ust,
such measures US we deem necessary for
their security in the future. Let there be
fairness aud Justice. If we "nothing cx-
tenua'e," let US set down naucht in ina
lice. Tho first great wrong is the increase
IN the public debt-nn extraordinary in
crease, us is admitted on all hands. The
people OF the State arc entitled to know
md must know the amount of that debt.
They must know what il tho actual as well
Ms the contingent IiaJility of tho State Of
South Carollna. That the application of
the public moneys have been extravacant,
Wild nnd rrofigate, admits Of no doubt it
is without question; and, perhaps, never
IN the history OF people was there an in
stance where this recklessncss and profit
Eacy was more shamelcssly apparent
Corruption vaunts itself in the light OF
day. and assumes to itself the yarb of hon.
esty. III these things ate not check cd and
rebuked, they will result not only in de-
lnoralizaton, hut in bankruptcy and ruin.
Tho credit Of the State is dearer to none
than it is to us. 1t has been orr tradi-
tional policy to keep aud hold the public
credit, not only unques,ioncd, but unsus-
pccted. We mean OF reputation, but VIC
do can openly and in n solemn manner,
to give notice that the public credit of
South Carolina has been strained TO the
most extreme point, and that whatever
obligations hnanciers take, they must take
them ut their own peril. Let me admon-
lsh you to the prudent and wise; to avoid
party politics. For every fair minded man
who is willing to put his seal OF disupprov-
a. on corruplion, or Is willing to 20 with
us in correcting abuses. we have wclcom-
Ing hand. Those men arc our friends.
md should be welcomed to our ranks
Th" late war left this people almost i'm
poverished. Upon the issue of the war,
one OF The most valuable species of prom
crty-more than Onc-half of what was
lett the peoplr-was stricken out at a blow.
Never we're there people on The face OF
the earth who were more entitled to sym-
pathy than tho people of South Carolina.
In the name Of that people, much abused,
almost ruined. call upon YOU to bring
to your aid your noblcst efforts Mt this
time.
Colonel Richard Lathers then addressed
tho Convention. Referring to Sterling
Fund bill, with which his name had been
connected referring to his visit to CO.
lumbia during the session Of the Leyisla-
ture, came 10 Columbia with, a great
desire to do something for tho bonds of
the State. This bill was then before the
House. | examined the bill, and saw that
although it mi sht cost the SIT, more than
1t shnnld to negotiate the loan, that it was
good thing. was so rejo;ccd to see
the bright prospects of the passage of this
bill, that called upon the Governor, and
made certain PROPOSITIONS to him. pro-
posed that committee consisting of the
Governor of tho State. Barring Brothers, of
London, Brown Brothers. Of New York.
and Mr. G A.. Trenholm, of Charleston,
should b. appointed to negotiate the loan.
The Governor accepted my proposition,
and said it would be a great favor if |
would remain over day or two and nd
dress two committees. 1 proposed, then.
that the committee suggested by me should
hold over Tor twenty years, the limit of