The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-05-18

i CharlestOn. lie ADDED tnat the only SeaA iE
crease to-. the State debt, in his Judgment
was the issue of one million five hundred
and fifty-eight thousand dollars for funding
the bills Of the Bank of the State. Aside
from that I hold that the balance is merely
change in the form of the debt. AS re
CARDS the rurnors concerning the over issut
6 Of bonds, they have no foundation whatever
In reply to a question of General BpqtleI
as to his opinion on minority representation
the Governor remarked that while it would be
: an extraordinary act of magnanimity Oh the l
part of the majority to conceae! the privilege
it is of the greatest Importance y to the pee
ple. I believe it will do more to destroy
prejudice, prevent il-fecling, and educate
} the majority thar any eventthat could occur
They would be the gamers should the Re
sisEsture, at Its next session, pass an act pro-
viding for minority representation. know
many of my political friends disagree with
me- but I feel it my duty to support meas,
ures that I believe for the good Of the peo-
! ple. &c.,. -. -. :
Butler. Ore of the chiefcomplaints ofthe
pcoplc arises from the recent change in the
time for the collection of the taxes, compell-
ing during the present year, the payment,
practically, of two levies. We should be
glad to hear your views on the propriety OF
postponing the collection, if such course IS
practicable, g .,a.-~.., =. 'j'.,:.;l :, =,
Governor. The principal object Of. the
change may be briefly stated: We found
ourselves every year, on the first OF january,
without money. The interest on the public
debt is payable at that time, and it is always
expensive then to borrow. Again, large
class of persons realize from their crops in
the fall, and during the month Of November
ard December have more funds than at any
other season of the year, consequently they
can pay the poll and other tax without
feeling the burden. This would add many
thousand dollars to the treasury; perhaps pay.
half years interest on the public debt. As
regards the penalty, it has not yet been
! attached untilahe year after No sales have
been forced for delinquent taxation" in my
knowledge. S. ... - -
Trenholm. Still the penalty was incurred,
and it would be very desirable if the public
could be assured that the penalty would not
bo incurred by.a moderate delay, am per-
suaded nothing more is necessary. =.
= Governor. The difficulty [ wish to avoid
it this: IF public declaration was made
that the collection would be deferred till the
frs. Of March, or that the penalty would
not be attached, would it not be equivalent
! to saying to the people, your taxes are not
1 =; tl,o,, ond thue ip1nra thosn who
might voluntarily ray to wait to the last;
momelt?
Trenholm. How would such suggcs-
ton as this do, that after the period iJr the
collection of taxes shall have elapsed, you
should make the announcement that all de-
linuuents who paid taxes before the first of
March should have their penalties romittcd?
Governor. That will do. ~.
Lathers. What the convention desires is
to apprise the public that, in as much as the
law bears oppressively upon them during
the present year, although exceptional you
| vii, announce now that time will be granted
lose who ere unable to pay until the lst Of
March.
Governor. am perfectly willing to do
that ..
Lathers. That, think, will be satisfac-
tory to the taxpayers of the State.
Weathcrly, l think it important that the
books should be opened at the time provided,
especially for the collection of the poll tax.
I believe it would have happy, beneficial
efec, on the people, and on finances.
Ball, Uaurens.) Ii our people can pay
the tax at all, it is during the month Of
November and December The crop will
then have been sold, and arrangements arc
then made for the ensuing year.
Lathers. What, then, may VIC under
stand .-
Governor. That, after the time elapse to
which the penalty would attach, until the
1st of March will be given those who have
been unable to pay, without the penalty.
The conversation now became moro gene
raj, the Governor speaking with frankness
on all. questions propoundcd. His views on
the subjects discussed having been already
published, it is unnecessary to ,recRpitulatc
them here, AS the committee were about
separating, the Governor, after expressing
his qualification at the interview, said; Il
am satsied the convention can accomplish
its objects readily, by putting forth influences
that will aid in the maintenance of law and
order, and I am glad to sec this disposition
manifested" 49,, ....
Butler. And if we take that course, you
will give us good officers? ....
Governor. Of course I will. g..
The visit here terminated, both parties
separating, apparently mutually pleased with
the results, and with the prospect Of reach.
ing an early solution Of the chief existing
difficulties. All of the committee were pre-
sent, and, blythe invitation Of the Governor,
Rausicr, Parker, Deane, State Auditor
Neagle, kimpton, Cardoza, Beverly Nash
and Jillson, also we're interested spectators
of the curious scene The conversation last
cd nearly four hours. The Judge Of tho
Supreme Court had also bSen invited, but
did not attend .... :
Il, g.. -----..
MAsoNIC-THE GRAND ORIENT OF
FpaScr-Tn 1869. the Grand Orient Of