The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-01

contrary to what I deem proper custom
In message Of the Chief Magistrate OF
the State, who. in his official capacity,
should know no party. But found this
unavoidable. in treating Of these great
crimes, that eprang solely from political
causes; nor can / regard men loyal to
the Government who set its laws at de-
hance. and use every means in their
power to destroy its very existence.
THE TAX PAYERS CONVENTION.
In the month of May last. highly
respectable body Of citizens. s&glipR
themselves "The Tsx-Payers' Conven.
ton" assembled at the State capital, for
the oetensible purpoue Of making inqui-
eitlon into the financial administration
OF the State. They were furnished every
facility to prosecute their proposed in-
vestIgation. and the books. records and
pagers OF the several bureaus in the
Executive Department we're unreserved.
~ laid open to their inspection. The
result Of this Investigation, prosecuted
with great diligence. was. that they gave
q reluctant confirmation. in. the main, to
the Official debt statement, which they
had primarily assembled to discredit.
Having been requested by the oonven-
ton. through its committee, to extend
the time for the payment Of taxes. in
the cases of those to whom it was not
expedient to pay. or who could not make
payment within the prescribed period, I
Informed them that the tag books would
be opened in November for the receipt
OF taxes, bnt. in cases where parties are
unable to pay, or could not pay without
sacrifice, would extend the time to
Msroh the first, without the delinquent
penalty attaching. Pursuant to my pro-
mise, have directed the proper officers
to grant an extension in every such case.
that may be certified to them BY the per-
son asking it.
MINORITY REPRESENTATION
The subject of minority representa-
ton engaged the earnest attention of
the "Tax- payers Convention" and they
presented many cogent reasons for its
immediate adoption into the elective
system of this State. In accordance
with my promise to them, present this
important matter for your gravest con-
sideration.
recognize the principle of minority
representation as both wise and inst. It
secures to the several party divisions in
the State direct and proportional rep.
resentation in it's administration. It
thus institutes u check and balance
against that iDjudicious or oppressive
exercise OF power that is too apt to ensue
where it's undivided possession ie held
by large party majority. The advan-
tages OF the system have been recently
e1empiified in practice at elections in
England and in the States of Pennsyl-
wanna and Illinois. In those States. how
ever, citizens divide into parties upon
questions merely affecting the State or
National nn1Yniao on1 thny H.
legitimate means to elevate to power the
exponents of their views. There no
mans party affiliation furnishes any just
presumption against his loyalty to his
country, and no citizen who is loyal is,
for that cause, subjected to the hazards
OF murder, exile and the lash, or the
certainty OF public and social proscrip-
ton. Here, on the contrary, the mino-
rity are organized upon basis which
practically calls in question the very
principles, and the Fundamental law
upon which the State and National Co.
| vsrnuents repose. The end sought by
the proposed system could long since
have been practically accomplished, but
for the bitter spirit OF intolerance en-.
gendered and fostered by party leaders
OF the opposition among their followers.
have been at all times ready, as is
we'll known, to Cooperate with all mode
rate men, without regard to party affiiia-
tions, in securing the election to public
office OF those only who were worthy and
vel! qualified. My own course in this
regard has not only been illustrated by
the Executive appointments, but by tho
personal aid that have invariably ex-
tended to elevate to public position those
native whites who, although clsssed, at
the time, with the opposition, were gen.
tlemen OF character and Intelligence,
and fair and temperate in their political
views. In proof OF tl.is. / instance,
with great qualification, Chief Justice
Moses end Circuit Judges x-Gov. J. l..
| Orr. Green, Melton, Graham and Far
mer. (the last an ad interim Executive
appointment. to whose elevation to the
bench CAV ny cordial 81, p ,o.t The,
gentlemen were all trusted and honored
under the ancient regime. and will COM
pare favorabIy, in poiut of personal cha
racter and capacity, with any citizen Of
the State.
| submit, however, for your deliberate
consideration. whether the men who are
now demanding the estabishmen by
law OF the system OF minority represen.
/ tation, are entitled to this act of magma
nimity at your hands. 1t is for you to
determine whether the line Of policy
pursued by them since the adiournm. Mt
of the Tax-payers' Convention tends to
commend the speedy adoption by you Of
an elective system which must largely in.
crease tie number of those in the Gene
raj Assembly who are hostile TO our sys-
tenn Of free government.
FREE COMMON SCHOOLS.
The State superintendent of Educa-
ton states that he had hoped to b. able
to submit. in full and complete form,
his third annual report, hnt found several
of the annual reports of the County
School Commissioners 40 inexousably
detective, that he was oompnied to re.