The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-12
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE NEWS
COLUMBIA, Thursday, May II.

The convention met at II O'CLOCK. Ine
morning session was consumed in reading
and acting on reports. The executive COM
mittee reported that they had considered
plan to meet the expenses oi the convention,
and recommended that each delegate deposit
with the clerk I've dollars for that purpose.
Adopted.
Judge Aldrich, from the executive commit
tee, reported on the subject Of taxation with
out representation, reviewing the causes Of
the present condition. and recommending the
passage OF a resolution that the Legislature be
reuApsted to pass an election law, by which
sixty thousand taxpayers shall have proper
tionate representation with ninety thousand
voters. Adopted.
Hon. J. Chestnut, from the same committee,
reported en- Mr. Chamberlains resolution, in
quiring into the alleged violence now prevail
ing in several counties Of this State, &C.; that
they learn, with regret. that T!olence prevail
ed in several counties. but that they have the
satisfaction to know that in by far the larger
number of counties not single instance OF
such violation has been reported. Il is
due to bad government. Corruption is fol-
lowed by larcenies; incendiarism is practiced
BIZ deluded men; and corporeal punishment
and homicide have resulted in cases where
fraud aad oppression were found to exist.
These are lamentable truths; but the commit
tee believe the remedy to be found in the re-
moral of bad and in the appointment Of COM
petent, honest men. Adopted
Hon. ]. Chestnut, from the same committee,
reported thst that the paper OF Mr.. Dudley,
which hid been recommitted. pass as
amended: Desiring to be fully under
stood by the citizens Of the country, the
convention declares that it meditates no
resistance to the general governments; that
the reconstruction measures are dnalities;
that we look to time and peaceful agencies for
the solution OF difficulties in the administra-
tion; that the present eXlgencies demand more
enlightened efforts than those intended to pro-
mote the success OF mere party, and that the
following measures of reform are essential to
the peace and welfare of the State: l. The
adoption by the Legislature OF minority rep
resentation. 2. Retrenchment by abolishing
unnecessary Offices. 8. Reducing salaries. A.
That the public debt be not increased, and the
Governor prevent the negotiation of the ster-
ling bonds 5. Relief from the payment of
two taxes in one year. 6. To fill offices with
competent, honest men. Z. Amendment Of
the election law, to prevent fraud in the con-
troll or count OF the ballot. s. Reduction of the
pay, mileage, and abridgement Of the sessions
of the Legislature. Adopted unanimously.
Mr. Screven, from the committee on cleo
tlons, presented report recommending that
the executive committee confer with the Gov
ernor and invite his cooperation in memorial
izing the Legislature to change the election
law, especially with reference to the ten days
custody of the ballot-boxes. Adopted.
Greenfield, OF Columbia, offered resolution
that the executive committee inquire into the
frauds connected with the investigating COM
mittee of the election OF the Third Congress
sional District appointed by the Legislature OF
1862.
The convention then adjourned till o'clock.
In the afternoon Mr.. F. F. Warley, OF the
executive committee, made report on the
resolution instructing them to inquire and re-
port upon what terms and for what consldera-
ton the making and execution Of the Blue
Ridge Railroad Company, and other compa-
nieS of mortgage to Henry Clews, Henry
Gourdin and George S. Cameron, to secure
the payment OF certain bonds, was ratified and
confirmed by the Legislature, and the said
mortgage declared to be ''lien prior to that
of the State on Ill property described in said
mortgage, and on the entire line OF the Blue
Ridge Railroad, and on all other properties OF
the several companies, or which they. or
either of them. may hereafter ac4n!re'-and
say that for some reason the Legislature has
transferred TO private individuals the States
lien on the Blue Ridge, and the entire proper
ties in the Greenville and Columbia Railroad.
Such dealings are in the nature Of fraud.
Therefore,
ReSolrsd, That The convention request
Messrs. Porter & Conner to give the report
careful consideration, and take the neces-
sary steps to prevent, by p ocess OF law, lne
consummation of this iniQditous proceeding.
Mr.. Warley followed in a severe speech, in
which he denounced both corporations Cor the
use of corrupting influences with the Legisla-
ture. He said that some Carolnians are more
to blame than The carpet-baggers. and charged
that the president of the Blue Ridge Railroad
boldly asserted before the committee that he
.,as prepared 10 spend halt . million Of dollars
10 defeat Whitlemore.s bill, and bribed sena-
tors TO do so. The speech produced q profound
Impression, especially when, in closing, he
said that he was personally responsible for
every fact stated.
The committee Of eleven will probably make
thew report tomorrow, which will be the
voice of the convention, and emoody the
practical results OF its labors. Much good has
already resulted from its de!beratlc"s, and IT
is confidently believed that incaculab!, benefit
vii! be experienced from it, both politically
and financially. 1t will probably adjourn tc-
morrow evening.
Messrs. Trenholm and Smith, after lnll
examination of the books 0: the treasurer anu
comptroller, fnd that the total debt ol the
State, issued OF authorized, TO be nine million
eirht hundred thousand dollars.
PROCEEDINGS OF TIE CONVENTION
Second Day.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT