The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-11
pointed a committee to escort the president to
the chair, on taking which, he addressed the
convention substantially. as follows:

Gentlemen of the Conventional thank you
for this compliment. 1t Is prized the more
highly because ! see around me so many OIL
the rood men and true to whom South Caro-
lima In her better days was glad. 10 conide her
honor. and who are now as faithful as they
ever have been. My only regret Is that the
occasion is not more happy anu pleasant. To
rebuke corruption in high places, and to be
obliged to take measures 10 save ourselves
lrorS .rretrievable ruin: is duty by no means
plea ant. As it has been placed upon us, let
ns discharge it maninlly, ana WIN loelltv.
limited States secures to the people the
rIght TO assemble peaceably, and to seek,
bv nil lawful means. redress Tor their Sr!ev-
aTces. We are assembled in such a
manner and for such purpose. 1t is admitted
by fair minded men OF all parties that there are
great public grievances, and that by their
presence there has been called Into existence
snch a convention as this. convention I'M
nrocedented ia ull the history OF the State. A
convention to secure TO ourselves a proper
share in a representative government. We
have no legislative power; we are simply an
advisory body. But we can Inquire and inves-
tIpate. we can collect and embGdy investfga-
ti0n. we can recommend to the people, who
have conferred upon MS this trust such meas
ures as we deem necessary LOT lhelr security
ia the future. Let. there De iairness and JUS
lice, live nothing extenuate, let us set down
nHnGht in malice. The first great wrong is
the increase in the public debt-an eXtraordi-
nary increase. az is admitted on all hands. The
pponle of The State are entitled to know ant
must know the amount OF tnat debt. They
mnst know what is the actual as well as the
contingent liability Of the Stale oil sonl!t Caro-
lima.
has heen extraTagant. wild and profligate, ad-
mits of no doubt; it is without question. and,
perhaps. never in the history OF "a people was
ihere an instance where this recklessness and
nro1lpacy was more shamelessly apparent.
Corruption faunts itself In the liSht oil day,
and assumes to-itselfthe garo OF honesty: II
these things are not checked and rebnked,
thev will r.snlt not only in decentralization.
hut in bankruptcy and ruin. The credit OF the
State is dearer TO none than IL is to us. 1t has
been our traditional policy 10 keep and hold
the pubc credit not only unqueslloned, but
Ensuspected. We mean not reputation. but
we do mean openly and in the most solemn
manner 10 give notice that the pu0llc credit OF
South Carolina has been strained to tne most
extreme point, and that Wns.eFer oongat,ohis hais
fiuanciers take, they must lake !heH aG' their
own peril. ,.,
Let me admonish You to DE prudent and
wise: to avoid party politics. For. every fair
minded man who is willing TO put.nis seal oil
disapproyal on corruption, or is willing 10 go
with us IN correcting abuses, we nave well
coming hand. These pen are our friends.
and should be welcomed 10 our ranks:
The late war left this people almost impor-
erished. Upon the issnes oil the war, one OF
The most valuable species Of property-more
than one.half of what was left TO the people
wns stricken out al q blow. Never were there
a people on the face Of the earth who were
more entitled to sympathy than the people
OF South Carolina In the name oil That peo-
ple, much abused, almost ruined, call upon
you to bring to your aid your noblest efforts at
this time.
Again thanking the convention tor the
honor conferred on him, Mr.. Porter closed.
A COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE.
General Butler offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted:
Resolued That a committee of eleven be ap-
pointed by The chair TO confer with his Excel
fency, Governor Scott, In pursuance OF the
fourth resolution of the Chamber OF Commerce
and Board Of Trade OF the City oil Charleston.
and report to this convention in writing OF
otherwise.
Colonel Richard Lathers said that at this
stage OF the proceedings it would be proper to
flx the duties that would deyolvc upon the
convention, and he therefore would make the
suggestion that there be appointed
l. a committee to confer with the Governor
on the necessity OF extending the time Tor the
payment of the November taxes.
A committee 10 investigate The Indebted.
ness of the Stale, the books and accounts OF
the treasurer and comptroller, and compare
the same with the statutes for raising and dis
bursting the n oneys OF the State.
8. a committee to Investigate the accounts
of the fiscal agent of the State in New York.
4. A committee TO inquire into the amount
OF money annually raised by taxation, and
whether there is any necessity ior the exces,
siye taxation now imposed on the people.
5. A committee to inquire into the SrieV-
ances and necessary frauds and eXtrava-
gances, caused by the anti-Amerlcan principle
oi taxation without representation, anu report
O remedy Tor the same.
G. That an executive committee be appoint
ed, who, together with the president OF this
convention, shall have It IN charge 10 protect
the interest represented by this convention In
the interval OF adjournment, to keep in view
the cnrrent legislation Of any future meeting
of the Legislature, and to call together at such
time as they may deem eXpedient.
7 That this convention confirm the action
ant; resolutions Of the Board OF Trade and the
Chamber OF Commerce of Charleston, in re.
spcct 10 the sterling loan.
s. That O committee be appointed to inYes-
tieate and report plan to restore the credit
of the State. and 10 confer with the represeD-
tatyes of the ''tre loan securities OF the State,
which have been practically reDuaiated by the
State authority, with view to repair The
damages To The good faith ana honor OF the
State, by influencing an curly liquidation Of
these obliSalions.<
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions We're offered and
adopted:
By General j. Hagood. OF Barnwe!l:
Resolred, That Mr.. J. P. Thomas be invited
to seat on the floor, and TO participate in the
deliberations Of the convention.
By General James Chesnpt:
Pesolred, That the Hon. A. P. Aidrich. be
invited to u seal on the floor ol the conven-
lion. and to participate in the deliberations OF
the body.
By General N. W. Gary:
Res0lrei, That the privileges ol The floor OF
this convention BE- rendered TO the Hon. D. A.
january, O! St. Louis, Missouri.
By General N. c. Butler
Eesolred. That the Hon. Mr. Miller. United
States Senator from the State Of Georgia. De III
yjted to o seat on The t,uG; OF this convention.
By Hon. G. Cannon:
Resolred, That il be referred TO the commit
tee or eleven TO inquire Q! the Governor now
many and what amount Oh oohas ne mas slSl'-
ed under the various aCis authorizing the
same. and what disposition mas been made Oh
said bonds.
By Mr.. b. w. Ball, OF Laurens
ReS0lred That it be.re!erred 10 lhe commit