The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-09
COLUMBIA, IS. @.
Tuesday Morning. May 8. 1871.
,}Ss The Ta1-Payer's 0onvension,

I.
The convention which meets to-day,
in thia city, is certainly one OF the most
significant assembleges which have been
bronght together since the commence
ment OF the late war between the States.
It is likely every County in the State
will be represented in the person OF able.
substantial and influential citizens. It
will be an imposing array of the sub
stance. the ability and the patriotism of
the State. The meeting of such body
has been viewed with unusual interest,
not only in this State but abroad. It
may be said that the eyes of the whole
country will be turned upon South Caro-
lima, whilst this body is holding its ses-
sions. It's deliberations will be watched
with eager eyes, and its actions closely
scrutinized. On this account, as we'll as
for other obvious reasons, we have no
doubt but That the members of the CON
vention will fully appreciate the impor-
tance of addressing themselves to their
work in spirit Of wise forethought and
calm deliheration. The convention, GER
tainly, is not uncalled for. No reason
able man con deny thnt it springs from
popular apprehensions that are just, pnl
pable and we'll founded. That the fla
grant evils and abuses. which have called
this convention into life aud make it n
living soul. do actually exist, is admitted
by men of both parties at home and by
impartial observers from abroad. Gov.
Scott himself is constrained to acknow-
ledge that there has been .'ertravagance
nMe expenditure Of the public moneys"
that there has been "inprooident legisla-
tion;" that skhese epils haze e1isted and
demand corredion." And, in making this
acknowledgment, the Governor has used
the mildest terms possible. He has not,
we take it, told the half that he might
have proclaimed, as to the shameful
squandering Of the public moneys, which
has been going on during his admins
tration. Mr.. Chamberlain, the Attorney,
General. uses much stronger language in
stating the present condition Of the
dcminans party or the 5tate-who are
responsible forith present condition of
our finances Mr.. Chamberlain says:
.i.Three years have passed and the result
is whatP Kncop,pe petehcy., dishonesty cor
,.zption in all its forms, hare adpdncea
their. paiscreated Jronts;, Aape put 10 flight
the small s;er,nant that opposed them, and
mop rule The party 1oAicb rules The, State. I"
Other testimony We might add. but it
will be deemed unnecessary. It lis self
evident proposition that the public
needs have called forth this convention
of the aggrieved and imperillcd people
of South Carolina.
Aud it Is not the less obvious that this
body assemblies in high aud putriotio
spirit. It meets to promote the endur-
ing interests ~ the State, to arrest the
spirit OF ruin. to obviute the dangers Of
domestic. violence. to devise, if possible,
peaceful remedies for relief from the nc !.
cumulated and accumulating evils which
threaten ,,s. Whether or not its achieve.
ments shall 'e equal to its desires. remains
to be seen. The duty OF effort is the
snme. whether ornDt exertion is crowned
with success who does the best his
circumstances allow. does we'll"
As to the action which the convention
shall adopt. this we shall not seek to an-
tfoipnte in its details We repose conf
dence in the wisdom, the patriotism and
the motives Of the mombsrk. They will
decide for themselves the demands OF the
hour aud the means of enforcing these
demands. They may give an expression
OF opinion as to the means wi hereby may
be laid the foundation for q stable peace
in the State. This, we think, should be
done. We hold that the convention
ought to pronounce Ia favor OF proper
tional representation: by means Of the
cumulative system ofvoting, as general
remedy. AS to the specific matters that
will engage the mind of the convention,
these. we hold, should be dealt with in
the spirit Of Just discrimination aud
firm resolve. AS to tho debt OF the
State. and our general finances, We want
the truth We want unt on1v oporor+oo,