Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-05-18
The Tax Payers Convention.
THIRD DAY.
.SoecinZ Tc,e1ya,n to The NcwS.

The convention met st Il O'Clock The
mornin5 session was consumed n reading
and acl.ng on reports. The executive
committee reported thai they had consld-
cred plan to meet the expenses Of the
convention. and recommended that eacA
delegate deposit with the clerk i've dollars
for that purpose. Adopted.
JuIre AiQrch. irOln the executive COM
nrttee, reported on the subject OF taxaiion
without representation, reviewing the
causes of the present condition, end re-
commencing the passage OF a resolution
that the Les gislature be requested to pass
IN election law, by which sixty thousand
taxpayers shall have proportionate rep
resentation with ninety thousand voters.
Adopted
Hon ]. Chestnut, from the same COM
mitteo, reported on Mr.. Chamberlaln's res
olution, inquiring into the alleged violence
now prevailing in several counties OF this
State, &C.; that they learn, with regret,
that violence prevailed in several counties,
but that they have the satisfaction to
know that in by far the larger number OF
counties not a single instance Of such vio-.
lation has been reported II is due 10 bad
government. Corruption is followed BY
larcenies; incendiarism is practlced by dc,
luded men and corporeal punishment ana
homicide have resulted in cases where
fraud and oppression were found TO exist,
These are lamentable truths but the COM
mittee believe the remedy 10 be found in
the removal of bad and in the appointment
OF competent, honest men, Adopted.
Hon. J. Chestnut, from the same COM
mittee, reported that the paper of Mr-
Dudley, which had been recommltted,
pass as amended Desiring to be fully un-
derstood bv the citizens Of the country,
the convention declares that it medltates
no resistance to the general government
that the reconstruction measures are hnal,
tiles that we look to time and peaceiu!
agencies for the solution Of difficulties IN
the administration that the present eM-
gences demand more enlightened efforts
than those intended TO promote the sue
cess 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
representation. 2 Retrenchment by abol-
isiinr unnecessary Offices. 3. Reducing
salaries. 4. That the public debt be not
increased, and the Governor prevent the
negotiation of the sterling bonds .. Re
lief from the payment of two taxes IN one
year. 6. To fill Offices with competent,
honest men. T. Amendment Of the elcc-
ton law, TO prevent fraud in the control
or count of the ballot. S. Reduction o.
The pay, mileage, and abrldgement OF the
sessions of the Legislature Adopted
unanimously.
Mr.. Screven, from the committee on cleo
lions, presented report recommending
that the executive committee confer with
the Governor and invite his co-operatlon
in nemolializing the Legislature to change
the election law, especially with reference
to the ten days custody OF the ballot
boxes. Adopted
Greenfield, Of Columbia, offered reso-
luton that the executive committee IN
ouire into the frauds connected with The
Investigating committee Of tic election o'
tie Third Congressional District appoint
ed by tie Legislature Of 1850
Tie convention then adjourned TIL
O'Clock.
In inc afternoon Mr. F. F Marley, o.
the executive committee, made report
on the resolution instructing them 10 in
cure and report upon what terms and tol
What consideration the making and exc
cu.ion Of the Blue Ridge Railroad Com
paav, and other companies, OF mortgage
10 Henry ClewS, Henry Gourdm and
George S. Cameron, TO secure the payment
O! certain bonds, was ratified and confirm
ed bv the Legislature, and the said mort
gage declared TO be a lien prior to ;hat
ol the State on all property described In
sad mortgage, and on the entire line OF the
Elue Ridge Railroad, and On all other
properties Of the several companies, or
which they, or either Of them, may here
alter acouire"-and say that for some rea-
son the Legislature has transferred to pri-
vate individuals the States lien on the
Blue Ridge, and the entire properties IN
the Greenvllle and Columbia Railroad
Such dealings are in the nature OF fraud
Therefore,
Resolred, That the convention request
Alessrs. Porter & Conner to give the re-
port, careful consideration, and take the
necessary steps to prevent, by process Of
Law, the consummation OF this in!qultous
proceeding.
Afr Marley followed in a severe speech
IN which ne denounced both corporations
fcr the use OF ccrrupting influences with
The legislature He SAID that some Car
olinians are moro TO blame than the car
pat-G4ggers, and charged that the presi-
atn5 Of the Blno k.dge Railroad boldly
asserted before the committee that he was
rrepa4ed to spend half a million OF dollars
10 defeat Whittemore' bill. and bribcd sen
tors to do So The speech produced a
profound impression. especially when. in
dosing, he sad That he was personally
responsible for every fact stated.
,,,lr. James y. Hoyt, Of Anderson, in
t.1oduced the following. which was referred
70 ;he Executive Committee:
i2esozced, That ,hc report Of the Com
mittee cn Election and Suffrage Laws
adopted by the Convention, he placed IN
the hands OF Special Committee OF seven
members OF this Convention, whose duty
u S4!alI DC W tiNG5.lIt tue IcpOiO Y tlS 81 iil'
moral to the Legislature on the subject OF
proportional representation, accompanied
ty such suggestions as they may deem adj
visible in order TO secure the passage of a
law at the earliest practicable moment
after the Legislature is convened, that the
system of cumulative voting may be made
applicable to the next general election, and
hat the principle may be engfaited IN
General upon cur system OF suffrage; and
further, that this Special Committee be
Instructed to use their best eXer,ions II
favor Of the passage of this just whole
some aud equitable provision, 50 rs to
p-ing about q iull end complete represen-
tatioa Of all tie people, and protection o.
tleic rights AM interests Of persons ana
property in every respect.
The names of e::-Governors John l..
3I2naing, NJ. L. Bonham, and Hon. \.
Fart were addel 70 the Executive Com
nit;ee.
Messrs. Trenholm and Smith, alter full
ey1.n. nation Of the books OF the treasurer
aud comptroller, ind that the total deb,
OF ;he State, Issued or authorized, 10 ue
n;ne million e;aht hundred thousand dol
lsrs.
FOURTH DAY.