The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-10
necessarily destray the organization of one Or
the other noliticafparty,n

neoeasarily destroy the organization: of one Or
the other political party."
The reasons why such a Gonvendon-ean.
not, with advantage, be held at this time, are
very plain. Already the different counties
are acting upon the recommendations OF the
Chamber of Commerce and Board OF Trade,
of this city, and are electing their delegates
to the Convention Of Taxpayers, which will
meet in Columbia in May. The most press
ing grievances of the people are those con-
nected with Debt and Taxation. These, in
their direct action, affect the property-hold-
ers alone. And ninety-nine o~ne-hundredths
Of the property in the State is held by While
men. It was advised, therefore, that the
propersy-holders, 1. e. the taxpayers should
take counsel together, and endeavor to md
a way out of the difficulties which surround
them. To change this Convention into a
| Convention OF pleading men OF both the
s.white and colored race" would, in our
INDICTMENT, make the whole affair q failure.
There would be talking and ~speech-msking,
but no business-like handling OF the CUES,
tons which most concern the people. In'
stead Of a meeting Of property.holders and
taxpayers, we should have q political eau
Gus.
We do, however, think it highly impor'
tant that the May Convention should take
up two, at least, Of the suggestions con
tanned in Mr.. Ransier's letter. The ConVen-
ton may with perfect propriety invite the
Governor to postpone the collection OF the
tax of 1871 until the usual time-March,
1872. This should be pressed upon the Elk
ecutive at once, and his reply will determine
the next step to be taken. 1t is equally
necessary to obtain a statement oil all the
outstanding liabilities Of the State. We
believe that the people are willing to pay
the debt reported by the Comptroller-Gen..
eral in his last report, and by Governor
Scott in bis last message, 4 e. something
under eight million dollars. But we do not
believe this people so crazy as to bind them
selves to pay whatever supplemental millions
of obligations may be kicking about in Wall
street. Nor do we believe that they will pay
the millions OF railroad guaranteed bonds
now thrust upon the State. When the taxpay-
ers know what the debt is, they can tell what
the taxpayers are ready to guarantee, and
are prepared to accept as morally and
legally binding upon them. We go further,
and say that we think it eminently proper
that the May Convention should consider
the propriety OF advising the call Of such a
mixed Convention as is recommended by
Mfr. Ransier. The Convention can discuss
the matter calmly and soberly, and, by its
decision, most persons will be ready to
abide.
Time will show whether Mr.. Ransier is
sincere in his professions OF charity and
goodwill. We hope that he is, and are in
clined to believe it. But having the past
conduct of the Radical leaders as a warning
and guide, we are disposed to think that
there would not have been, in Radical cir
cles, so sudden a shout for Reform had it
not been evident that the whites, throughout
the State, are terribly in earnest in their del
termination to obtain, by hook or by crook
more security and less taxation. Sixty
thousand white men, acting together, are a
power which even ninety thousand negroes
cannot afford to despise. Is this the whole
secret?