The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-10
Convention Of the Taxpayers of the State
at Columbia.
The Solid Men in Council With
out Regard to Politics.
CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES REBUKED.
Investigation into the Financial
Condition of the State.

To-day StOOu IN the senate chamber OF tile state
and witnessed sight which has not had irs like in
South Carolina since the guns were fred on sumter,
ton years ago.
THE TAXPAYERS CONVENTION
met at eleven O'Clock this morning to take measures
NJ TO what was necessary to place the credit OF
South Carolina on a firm basis so pierce the
mass of corruption ana robbery which has shrouded
the State ever since 1896. The Senate chamber
was chosen by the Convention as being the most
fitting place to hold its session, for the that
the House of Representatives is aorgeousy fitted
up that man could not sit down In 1t without feel.
ing that
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAD BEEN ROBBED
30 crafty the pocketbooks OF or so OF scoun
dre.s who have had high revel while the
decent people have been despoied in their
fancled security. The galleries were
full at an early hour, and the greatest
interest was manifested in the delegates as
they entered and took their seats In twos and thrces
Fifty. one delegates were present, and twenty-six
counties out OF the thirty.two were represented.
majority Of the delegates had served in the Con-
federate army, and bystander said to me that it
looked like
MEETING OF L0NGsTREET's CoRPs.
j. Goodwin, Of Orangeburg, acted as temporary
chairman. During the preliminary proceedings 1t
was evident that the Convention was divided into
two parties representing the salt water clement
lIOm Inc lower OF Atlantlc coast cailcu the rice
eaters, and the up country people, who are sup.
posed to approve Of the Ku Klux organization.
This section is called the crawflsh region, and It's
leaders IN the Convention were Major General NJ
w. Gary and Major General NJ. Z. Butler. The more
moderate wing of the Convention had for its leaders
General James Chestnut, eX-LientcnanJ Governor
W. b. Porter aud Colonel Richard Lathers.
After some amusing sparrina between General
Butler and Colonel t. Y. Simmons, of the Charles
ton Courier, Colonel b. W. Ball, OF Laurens county
moved that a committee be appointed to report
officers OF the Convention, and an amendment was
offered to proceed to a ballot Tor officers, which
was adopted. General Chestnut, having de-
clined the nomination OF Chairman, nomi-
nateu W. ID. Porter OF Charleston, for
permanent President. General NJ c. Butler then
nominated General NJ. w. Gary for the same Office
General Gary, who Is the only general oflcer of the
c0nfederacy who did not surrender at the close OF
the rcDeillon-by the way. the General is a Harvard
graduate OF 1854 and fills the place In South Caro-
f0llows:-
lam here not asplrant any ONCE within the GIT
e. this c9nventon but representative Of the people
srous to US must confess that whatever ambition might
unwilling e "sys amy
q this ,. Convention should be disturbed DO think,
should have d.snees S
nomination. (Appause.) N''''1' 40
The following officers were then declared duly
Irestden-W. D Porter moderate, Of Charleston.
Wee irestdents-M. c. Butler, ex-Confederate, or
D. II. Chamberlain, republican, of Elchand; Gabriel
Cannon, Of Sparta busg, conservative.
Myron II. Fox. radical OF the Charleston Republic
can, and W. NJ. Conners conservative OF Lancaster,
Secretaries
Convention by ex-senator Chestnut, which were
The President, Judge Porter Of Charleston, upon
taking the chair said Substantially
GENTLRaEN THE CosvESTroS Il thank you for the
S he %s %e a ann see south nae 10
her better days was glad to eond her homer and who IRE
me ossasSa a s sSsl 'ss''' mat
and to OBLIGED 20 take measure. 'a to ave our
s sve. s.s : p.a.sn q s. bseu pas s by
e s sE aM S Il, ssss Az, fsd Nn s, Ss
people the RICH. to assemble peaceaey ando
:ss. s ss' aaS T G psSs:,
Is admitted BY fair minded men Of al parties that there
sss: aSs an s.'
81 as history
20 We 20 On
adylsory body But inquire and investigate
people who have upon tbs trust, mea
assS let US .'set down nousht IN malice -'' 'N'-
in ss
Sled 70 know and must know the amount of tina. debt,
81 se
sa aH Of the public moneys have zen e1,ravasaa
SSs'S. T.. q
S.nErap:cy rain
~ s
4; sss 5:a Is :s sssa. Sd ;rass .na
y; sSss 1ss E' a;
Welcoming hand Those friends aad should be
The s u ne a S Il:
Sas asn one o OF
were there people on the face Of the earth who
- THAT PEOPLE PIE. Agon ;nYsrD,
your noblest efforts at this time ~e----
Every one IN the Convention was moved at the
had sat " ms robes in days bygone as the President
Of the senate Of South Carolina, and after ten years
Der. never saw more inteliA ent body OF men In
convention and never heard better OF more correct
ali 1s the members spoke without regard to para
mentary rules; for many long day of sorrow ana
class OF men have been allow Oh to lit their voices
IN an assembly. number OF resolutions
were offered Tue moderate party ,rumpnedn IN the
Resolutions were offered 10 appoint a committee OF
eleven to confer with Governor Scott 70 INQUIRE how
aud what disposition mas been made OF the bonds;
also asking the Governor to report TO what extent
state and county officers have been appointed since
1858, with
VIEW TO RETRENCH
expenses General Gary offered . resolution as fol-
lows
rha, committee Of seven pc appointed 70 mcmoriai,e
pcdcncy OF repeating modifying the election this
State, and that committee do report expe-
dency adopting the cumulative system Of voting,
system viii protect the rights Of liaorties Adopted.
MINGLED AMUSEMENT ASD INDIGNATION
was created wnen Colonel Ellison Keitt offered the
Following resolution, winch was tabled almost In.
simultaneously by the Convention Colonel Marley, OF
Darlington, ob)ectng:-
Resolved the president of this body be and he s
hereby authorized appoint committee OF six to draw
petition sens forth the grievances OF the people Of tins
state aud asking President and Congress TO take chargc
OF the state and put upon enduring foundation "A
foundation that will orhe people,
that we work not bud own state,
but aid advancing the prosperity and the glory OF tho
public.