The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-13
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COLUMBIA, Friday, May y

COLUMBIA, FRIDAY, May Il.
The convention assembled at II o'clock.
General Chestnut, from the executive COM
mil,ee, reported that the taxpayers deem 1t
their duty to declare that The sterling loan ana
other obligations hereafter issued will not be
held binding; and recommending the people
to resist the payment or enforcement OF a tax
to pay the same by all legitimate means.
RESOLVED That committee OF five be ap..
pointed to confer with the representatives OF
the fire loan securities, with view 70 Tue
early liquidation of these obligations. and TO
repair the damage to the good faith and hon
or Of tt& State. resulting from their repuola-
ton by the present State authorities. Adopted.
Judge A. P. Adrich. from the same commit
tee, moved 10 add the name of General Ches-
nut TO those OF Porter and Conner in the Blue
Ridge Railroad proceedings.
Mr. TreScot moved that these gentlemen be
instructed to report at once. Supporting his
amendment, Nr. Trescot said il the action OF
yesterday on the subject Of the Blue Ridge
Railroad meant anything, it meant that this
body, Without legal existence, proposed to
take into charge the public and private inter-
es.s OF the State. The step is full of danger.
The corporation referred to was an enterprise
connected for nearly half century with the
interests of the State; yet the passage OF this
resolution would do more to destroy those In
terests than any event which could occur.
The convention had simply assumed
that the legislation is invalid, and to that
extent has discredited the bonds of the road,
because they would be put upon the market
with ;he disapproval Of the taxpayers written
across them, practically saying to the world:
"You takes these bonds with the risk Of a1aw-
suit" Spectators will necessarily buy them
at deprecated value, and the people will
eventually have to redeem them at par. Dir.
Treseot reviewed the history OF the legislation
connected with the Blue Ridge and Greenville
Roads,, and said that whatever discredt at
taches to the Greenvlle Company, it must
answer for itself. The skirts of the Blue Ridge
Company were clean. The mortgage given to
the Sfate before the issue OF the bonds was, in
his opinion, infinitely better security than
statutory lien which only applied to thirty-two
miles in the State. The mortgage was prior
lien without legislation. he argued that the
action of the Legislature would be sustained
by law, and, under the circumstances, he
thought it would be unjust for the convention
to adopt the resolution without amendment.
Mr.. Marley replied severely. He disclaim-
ed being the opponent or paid partisan OF any
corporation. The gentleman assumed that
this body was not to meddle with private con-
Germs, but when private individuals connect
themselves with stupendous public frauds, It
was the duty the convention to expose them.
Corruption would not exist were 1t not for
corruptors. Were none engaged In bribing
the Legislature, we should not have occasion
to complain so much at present. 1t was an un-
happy circumstance that private individuals IN
the State had been instrumental in obtaining
public plumber. He said he would not discuss
the object of the legislation, but did propose
boldly to condemn the fraud by whlcE
the object was effected. The men who
Induced the fraud were not to be
trusted with public funds. and the spirit OF
Justice would denounce any man who, like
the president OF the Blue Ridge Railroad, de-
clared, in presence Of the committee, he had
come to Columbia with million OF dollars to
corrupt the Legislature of the, State The
gentleman from Anderson complained that
the aSlon of the convention would dlscredlt
the bonds. This was precisely what the
resolution was intended to do, and it was
mistake to suppose that sympathy for any
fraudulent transaction would be found in this
body. 1t was disgrace for Caroinian to 20
before the Legislature, composed as 1t was OF
uneducated, irresponsible persons, and hold
out bribes to secure any boon whatever; and
the voice OF the people would be heard, de-
nouncing such corruption.
The amendment was not adopted.
Mr.. Scott, of Columbia, offered resolution
that the Governor and encouragement secure
from Mr.. Kimpton bond sufficient to protect
the interests OF the State.
The executive committee reported that
Crews and the investigating committee OF the
Third Congressional District deserve judicial
examination and the attention OF the presld-
inc officer OF the State. The convention took
q recess.
General Butler, from the committee OF
eleven, submitted their report, setting lorIh
the interview with the Governor, published in
Tue NEWS OF Thursday. viz: That the Govern
or stated nothing had been done involving the
credit of the State; that he believed the report
of the comptroller general 10 be substantially
true: that he had not signed any bonds not
issued ay authority OF law: that lie YVES salis-
fed q large number Of officials could be DIS
pensed with. and expressed the determination
to urge the Legislature to effect economical
Restrictions; that he conceded that the incom-
petence and inaccessibility of the officers OF
the law to be fruitful cause Of the recent dill
cultieS; that he endorsed the plan oil minority
representation; that he would urge change
in the election law, and, finally, that ne Wouia
suspend the forced collection OF taxes until
the first OF March. The committee express
the belief that the Governor will not repuclale
his assurances. The report concluded Win
the following:
Resolred, That the Governor be requested
to direct the encouragement TO investigate
frauds, and make provisions ior lhIortnels,
and that the attorney-9eneral be ilslfucleu W
attach the property of persons III DEFAULT W
the treasury; that a committee be appointed
TO cooperate with the legislative commlltee
now investigating the transactions OF State
officials.
The report suggests: lst. Additional legisls-
:..,,,, rornnnp IN the s.. ATE from the