The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-03-23
Leading Citizens in Conference with
Gov. Scott on the Condition of Public

Leading Citizens in Conference with
Gov. Scott on the Condition of Public
Affairs & "a p.
ES An in vitation was extended to q number Of
prominent citizens of the:State to meet in con-
ference with Gov. Scott, and bring about free
Interchange of.opinionSas toSthe condition OF
public affairs, the causes for recent disturban-
ces, and the remedies to be suggested in view
of these difficulties. This conference was held
in Columbia on Monday evening, March 18th,
and was attended by large number of infiu-
entail citizens from various counties, among
them Gen. Samuel MCGOWAN, Of >Abbeyille,
Col. Simeon Fair, of Newberry, Gen; j. B.
s.Kershaw, of Camden, Gen.. W::--K. Easley, OF
;Greenvilfe, Gen. w. 81. Wallace, Of Union,
Hon. Gabriel Cannon, of Spartanburg, Col. T.
". Sinnons, of the Charleston Courier, and a
number of other gentlemen, The result of the
conference is reported as follows by the Colum-
biai Union: e.s} $500 to.. s. ..-e-
1 sThe conference was free and pleasant, and
the present condition of affairs was freely dis
cussed. The principal object of the conference
was to arrive at the cause of the existing trou-
sbles and, if possible. suggest a. remedy. We
were present, and listened to the conversations
throughout, and confess to being agreeably sur
jsprised at the general tone of the meeting.
Tie principal cause of the trouble, as urged
Eby' nearly all these gentlemen, was the organi-
zation and aring of one class or race of citizens
las against the other. 1t was argued, with con-
siderable force, by every gentleman who spoke
upon the subject, 9that placing arms III the
hands of the colored men gave a feeling of in
security to the whites, and caused a feverish
feeling of alarm to pervade every commu-
nifty. Whether this feeling was. well grounded,
or otherwise, made no difference to the fact that
such a feeling actually existed and SO long as
that feeling existed there was imminent danger
of g collision upon the slightest proyocation.
1t was further urged-and not without some
show of reason-that the arming of the colored
militia was regarded by the Writes as danger
ous to peace and good order; and, whereas, be-
fore such arming was done, men could 60 to bed
in peace end security, without fear of molesta-
tion, now they were compelled to- SO armed
themselves as a measure of selfprotection.
The debate upon this subject was long and ex-
haustive but the conclusion reached by all was,
that the arming Of the colored militia was at
least an unwise measure. 2,
|. Another fruitful source of complaint and one
which we have regarded as lying at the very
root of the whole matter, was heprofigate and
irresponsible manner in which the Legislature
performed its work during the last session.
It will be recollected that we repeatedly
warned the Legislature that the people were
watching its operations, and that dissatisfied
constituents would hold derelict members to an
account for their stewardship. But, one point
in all the argument struck. us with more force
than all Others, and that was, that the present
system was one of taxation without represen-
tation..' This fact cannot be denied, that, prac-
ticafy, the Legislature is body that repre-
sents but very small portion of the material
wealth of the State. -
+ Many of the gentlemen admitted that the per
centum of taxation was not eXorbtant, but the
assessments were. outrageously disproportIon-
ate and unjust, and that taxes were in many in
stances ten times as high as they ought to be.
This arises from the ilcompetency of the As
SCISSORS, few of whom actually know anything
about the value of property, and many more
being governed more by personal spite than by
desire to do justice. This is no doubt true, to
great extent
/ These were the two principal points, dis
cussed, although others were incidentally men
toned We were highly grained WIN tne
manly and dignified positions taken BY General
MCGOWAN end Colonel Fair, and, while we have
no particular objections to offer to the remarks
of any of the gentlemen present, we regard the
stand taken by the two gentlemen named as
pre-eminently just and digni6ed. d.
The meeting had no political significance
whatever, for politics were not mentioned, ex-
cept incidentally, during the entire conference.
That the meeting will result in good, there is
every reason to believe, as these gentlemen can
return to their homes impressed with the belief
that the Governor really desires to protect the
interests of all classes of citizens, irrespective
of party lines. - 80.
/ That there are certain abuses in the Legisla-
ture which-must be corrected, there is no one
foolish enough, to deny and, so long as these
abuses exist there will always be fruitful,
cause for complaint. Most of the gentlemen,
who took part in the conference, returned to
their homes Yesterday ffse.s.f -"