The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-11
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TIE SEws.l

COLUMBIA, Wednesday, Nay 10.
The great feature oil to-day's doings has been
the protracted interview OF the committee OF
the convention with Governor Scott.
Atll o'clock to-day the committee OF eleven,
appointed to confer with the Governor on
various subjects, called upon the Executive,
and an important interview occurred. The
committee consisted OF the following dele
gates NJ. c. Butler, Cadwalader Jones, Gabriel
Cannon, B. W. Ball, w. H. Wallace. Richard
Lathers, A. N. Lowry, G. A. Trenholm, E. j.
Scott, y. B. Smith, T. G. Weatherly.
General Butler, as chairman. opened the
conversation, by saying that the committee
appeared, pursuant to resolutions OF the con-
vention, not as partisans or members OF any
political organization, but simply as citizens ol
the State, to ascertain in what particulars they
might be able to cooperate with his Excel.
lency, in bringing about better condition oil
affairs in South Carolina. That there was cor
ruption, violence, and disturbed condition Of
society, all parties conceded; but, with pro-
per understanding and all exhibition Of the
right spirit. he believed that the difficulties
might be removed.
The Governor expressed much qualification
at the opportunity to lay before the represen-
tatiyes of the taxpayers OF the State all the
facts in his possession relative TO the finances
of the State. It has been wildly coDjectured.
he said, that an Illegal and irregular manipu-
lation of the public funds had taken place:
but. in fact, nothing had been done inv diving
the credit of the State not strictly authorized
by law. Both the Executive and State Off
cials invite full investigation OF the books
and accounts, and the committee will thus be
able to correct many false impressions. de-
sire, continued the Governor, cordially to
cooperate with you in satisfying the pub
lie mind on this subject. At my own
Invitation, the treasurer, the comptroller gen.
eral, the State agent and other officials are
present, and ell express the utmost willing
nesSto lend their aid to the committee. Con-
cerning the public debt statement made by the
comptroller, believe it to be substantially
true. OF necessity. expenses are accumulating
and greater than they ought to be; but, when
there is distrust of the public credit, the State
which owes money is always forced to pay I
larger rate Of interest than one perfectly SOL
vent. Hence, the value Of securities is less
ened and the difficulties Of the administration
are increased. For this condition OF affairs
am not responsible; and think the officers
have done everything they could to give con-
fdence to the public concerning the fairness
with which their duties have been discharged.
Butler. am happy to state that the9 treas
urer and comptroller have indicated willing
ness to facilitate investigation, and the SUBJ
committee has been at work this morning.
The examination. Of course, will require time
to verify the correctness Of the statement OF
the debt. would now call his Excellency's
attention to the resolution, inquirins to what
extent county offices have been unnecessarily
increased. In my own county, jor instance,
twenty-seven men are required 10 perform the
duties connected with the assessment and col
lection of taxes, discharged before the war by
one. Is it not possible that portion OF these
may be dispensed With, thus reducing the
local expenses2 We ask nothing which may
not be complied with consistently in our judg-
ment. Our object is not 10 impair your ad-
ministration, but 70 aid you in every possible
way u. exercising economy in government.
Governor. 1 teel gratded at these assur-
ances in beha)c OF the convention. Tne IN
crease OF Offices was due to the belief that the
new system Of government would require ao-
ditionai means, put am satisaed large num-
Der Of persons can prohiabiy De dispensed
With. L certainly costs 100 much 10 collect
tae taxes. and there Is abupdan; room for re-
trencnuent. 40 dout: there IL. also loo
MUCH money paid 10 school and county COM
nissioners Unfortunately they are not sur
rounded with sufficient checks. II the con-
ven,ion would take positive action. and ex-
press an opinion concerning the many o'hces
created by the constitution. believe IL would
have weight with the Legislature. and induce
economical restric.sons. In one ot the coun-
ties. the commissioner gets one thousand doF
lars salary, and ye. there is but one school III
the county That E an absurcliy. Again, the
comptroe.-genersl might dlsch"-se the du-
ties OF State auditor, AID the Office OF assistant
Acknowledgement might ue abolished.
Butler. There IL another class Of officers in
whom change is desirable. | refer TO the
trial justices. Not being properly distributed,
or because they are iilitera;e men, rather than
use the ordinary legal agencies. being unable
to secure them without travelling many miles,
are often tempted to take the law into tllelr
own hands. These things tend TO VIOLENCE.
All we ask ls, that while We have TO support the
government we may enjoy the benefits that
fowjEom good oae Give th" people honest
officials. and you will have no cause 10 COM
plain.
Governor. fully appreciate your remarks
Bad officials have probably been one oil the
most fruitful causes Of trot,ble during the last
six OF eight months. Unit! recently, however,
from circumstances beyond my control, have
had difficulty in finding suitable persons for
trial justices. My Impression is that the law
should be amended, and magistrates ne elect
ed by the people. am well convinced that
much violence and Indifference TO law is owing
to the fact that the people have not had the
means of enforcing the law within their own
reach. With reference 10 the resolution in-
ouiring the number OF bonds signed and dis
posed OF, the report OF the comptroller gives
all the information possess.
The Governor here recaptuiated the state
wan, ,s;n,, substantially the same facts pub