The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-05-18
From the Charleston News.
The Work Of the Convention.

gent ircn without regard to politics. that
the Nrav"ation is one uf the most important
delibc .:..iyc assemblies that ever meet in
Sorrh Crrolina The platform of the con-
ventirn established the fact that the people
mediate no resistance whatever to the
Government of the United States; that they
regard the Reconstruction measures as
tinal.lies; that they look to time and peace
ful agencies only for the solution OF any |
difficulties that may now or hereafter exist
In the ADMINISTRATION Of the affairs ofthe State;
and finally. that certain measurs OF reform
are e. initial to the peace and prosperity OF
the Commonwealth Committees were ap-
pointed who were charged with the duty OF
rep ting upon the xcisting public evils. and
the remedies therefor. These committees
we've composed of the ablcSt citizens OF Seuth
Caroin;,-mcn who have many times before
been tried in council and not found wanting;
the men most distinguished fot learning.
Judgment. prudence and craftsmanship and
the views have been presented with force
modc..,;iun. Let us briefyercvew the re-
vie; t'c results of their work:
l. The plan of Cumulaling Voting. to the
end that the t"xpay;ng minority OF sixty
thrusand may be represented in the next
I,ec;slature. has been adopted, after endorse
mcut by pronounced and leading kcpubll-
cans. and a committee appointed TO press
the matter unon the General Assembly when
it next comvCmcS. -
2 The credit of the State has been
strengthened. The sum total of the public
debt is dscovc~od to be. say sS,S00,oOo, and
the honor and funds Of the State are law
fully pledged for the redemption thereof"
A nlan has also been suggested for the more
advantageous manipulation of the funded
debt to the eud that expenditures may be
reduced.
3. 1t was solemnlv declared that the Ster-
ling Loan. or any other obligations hereafter
issued bv authority Of the State, would not
be held binding on the people, and the tax
payers were urged to resist the payment ii
the same by all tn? lcg;' mate means IN Their
nowcr. ACommi;,e of Five were a'>o ap-
nointed to confer with the representatives OF
The Fire Loan Securities of the State with
view to an early liquidation Of these obllga-
tious.
= 4. 4 pledge was given by his Excellcncy
fire Governor that he would use his influence
in securing change in the present election
law. 50 that the ballots would hereafter be
counted i'll public, and temptations to fraud
'bc removed.
10. Itvas agreed by the Governor that the
penalty for the non-payncnt Of the Novem-
Der lax would not be enforced until the irSt
'lof March. thus practically extending the
time Vi payment ior the benefit OF the tax
payers. ,,
u g. The ;li,god frauds committed by the
iLegis.a,ure il The passage of the Blue Ridge
'Railroad bill were discussed and the matter
was .ctarrld to eminent counsel fot further
itv;iSid ration.
~ :. The Govcrnnr admitted that the State
and Couny cfcy~>. cl.c'jve aud appointed,
were unnrc"- sarily multipll"d. and 1t WIS
agreed to ur.e upon the General Assembly
thc adoption of some plan of rrtrcnchment
and reform. His Exccllcncy likewise prom
ise,l to remove incompetent trial justices and
other officials. and to replace them with per-
sons who enjoy the confidence of the COM
munity.
s. In view Of many frauds which have
been pcrpctraied the Attolney-Gcncral Was
requested to attach the property of persons
in default 10 the treasury, to proceed against
them by legal process. in order that public
example may bc made, and to provide suit
able remuneration to mt0rmers.
g. Provision was made Tor 4 rigid lnvcstl-
.saton Of the affairs Of the Land Commits
sion.
= TO- The Governor and Acknowledgement
were requested to require of the Fiscal
Agent Of the State bond. with sufficient
security to protect the interests committed
d, to his charge
u" IL. A series Of recommendations to the
Legislature were adopted. lacking to the pas
sage of laws whereby honesty would be Sc
cured in the administration of public affairs,
and reduction of expense be effected in
various Departments of the State Government.
II 1t was ordered that both the Exccu-
tive Committee and the Committee of Eleven
have authority to continue i'll permanent
session after the adjournment of the Con-
y;ccntion; to call the body together whenever
the ev;g gcucy may require; and to appoint
J. sub-committecs to proceed to New York and
to Columbia to aid in carrying out the views
Of Of the the Convention, by cooperating with the
Governor, State officials and Legislature in
a ~ efforts they may make to promote the
prosperity of the State.
13. And finally, it was recommended by
the Convention that all secret organizations,
Yi4h,us reference to their political character,
be diseountcnanccd by the people of the
State. f, T..
The action, of which We have given an
e.tline above, carries with it its own best
comment Calm, just and prudent, it has
eAterted the praise even of those who pre-
ID ,ctcd that no good would come of the Con-
'ycutien. 1t has already brought about
state of feeling that should produce the hap
'piest results. We shall now see whether
this temperate course on the part of the
best men of South Carolina, speaking tor
the people, will have the weight it deserves
with those who sway away her destinies.