The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-04

lepjslation. could have done but little harm had
II enot heen fnr a few white members who
concoeted mischiefand initiated them into their
schemes. telling those who had some scruples
that it was the custom OF members OF all
legislatures to make money outsloe ol their
salaries. a 1nal cause OF iL[nta,ion Ga u Was Lhe
collection of taxes, which oeSan IN March.
The rate of taxation was largely increased
over that of previous years, and the. property
owners honestly believed that they were rob-
he'd to s11nnort the extravaganza OF the mig
Ger government" which they so cordially
hated. and whose acts OF corruptlon had been
exaggerated tenfold by the Dem0cratlc papers.
IL will be seen that the cohaitiGn OF analrs
here could not we'll be worse without actual
civil war Nothing but fear of the power Of
the Government OF the United States keeps
the Ku.KluX-klan, which numbers among its
act;ve members OF sympathizers almost every.
while man in the State, from overtnroWing by
force the present government Oh souLn caro-
lima, and killing or driving away an lts ON
GERS. It would be done in q. weeks time If 1t
were known that the Federal power would not
crnsh smch movement; this prominent citi-
zens.do not hesitate to say. what makes the
dsnTer greater is the fact that the white peo-
nle are Thoroughly convinced that they are in
The riGht. and would be justified in using vic.
lence 10 accomplish their purpose. Meanwhile,
the killing OF civil officers, VINO VIII not resign
when wanted 10 uO SO, anu o',S ~NCui S,ihS "
negroes. continues. The only hopelui sisn IN
the Situation Is the disposition recently mani
tested by a few leaders of both parties to seek
a compromise that will give some representa-
lion in the government to the white men
and stop the persecution OIL the negroes.
convention Of taxpayers from all parts
of lhe State is to meet in this city on lues-
dav week. and much Is hoped from this as
sembly, which will bring together all the
leading men in the State. have heard three
plans discussed for harmonizlnS the conflict
inc elements. One contemplates an educa-
tional test for suffrage. on the Massachusetts
plan. This is advocated by Mr. MemminSer,
of Charleston. who was Secretary OF the Trea-
sllrv for The Confederacy, and 1t would be ac-
ceniable to the educated White men. but
wonid meet with no favor among the poor
whites, who would be dis(ranchised to as great
an nytent az the negroes. 4 second PROPOSE
tion is TO so amend the State Constitution as to
make the Senate elected by properly-owners
alone. and thus establish check upon the
legislation of the Lower House. rne third
plan, and the one which seems now 10 meet
with most favor, is TO adopt the system OF cll-
mulatlve voting and minority representation,
which has recently been adopted IN Illinois.
considerable number Of leading men OF both
nsrIIes saw they will be satisfied with this plan,
which would 1--WE the Republicans three-1fths
ami tbe Democrats 'two.tiiths OF the Eegisla-
tlre. The minority would, it Is thought, be
sulIiciently Influential to prevent reckless leg
Islation. II this proposition Is agreed upon
with unanimity 10y both parties there may be
peace IN the State; Otherwise the prospect Is
very dismal