The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-04-26

piAi VI Hthc rshVueuuu uoiIaio ""'
brought ii. Niue thousand dollars
worth of stationery for single ses
,son'of the South Carolina Lcgisla.
turo Comment on this is unnecessary
With the exception of a spelling
book and first reader to each member,
they do not stand in need of any
great AMOUNT Of stationcfy.
Every Senator has his page, mes.
scnger and clerk, all drawing full
pay, to say nothing Of stealage.-
Then, besides all this, there is an
army Of black aud white hangers. on,
who manage to live from the pickings
and stealings. If Ohio had such
Legislature they would all be kicked
out Of the capital, across the State
and into the Ohio River in time so
short as to be Incompatible with pray.
ers.
Governor Scott is assured from all
parts of the State, by leading citizens
and honest men, that if the present
members Of the Legislature will re-
sign, and let new set be elected, all
outruges shall cease. A leading man
from York County was down to see
him a few days ago, and assured him
that with an honest Legi 'ature there
would be no more talk about refusing
to pay taxes. He said that if the
present Legislature could be induced
to resign, the whole people will unite
upon the most honest and capable
men, irrespective of party or color,
and elect him. This is the cry from
all parts of the State. "Give US an
honest Legislature" say the people,
"and we will pay our taxes and put
down the Ku Klux."
But other departments of the Gov
ernment, as we'll as the Legislature,
need reconstruction. An honest Trea.
surer would be in good taste. TO Sc
cure that, Niles G. Parker would have
to be removed. He is one of the
many thoroughly corrupt officials of
So0th Carolina. An honest Trcasur-
cr, at the time of financial commo,
ton, IS the noblcst work Of Cod
Almost any man can be honest who
his no chance to steal, but give him n
chance, and then see of what sort of
stuff he.is made.
The first known Of Parker, the pres.
ent Treasurer of the State, he was a
saloon-keeper in Haverhill, Massachu-
sets: Which, The war broke ou', a
good many Of his best Gust tomcrs en-
listed, &hich cut down his business so
that hc enlisted himself. Captain
Collins, NOW of Beuufort, in this
State; but formerly Of Massach husetts,
says that Parkcr was not good for his
debts before lie ca,ho Treasurer, and
that lie had claim against him, and
vas glad to take thirty cehts oil the
dollar for it: ;,
During the %ar Parker was pri.
yhte; and after the war settled in
Charleston, and went into his old con-
genial business of keeping grocery.
-Four years ago he was not considered
good fof his debts; and it is stated by
those who know him at that time, that
hcSwas as poor as Church mouse. But
how NOW ? Witness the magic effect
of beihg Treasurer of South Carolina. :.
To-day he is considered he wealthiest
oiRcc.holder III. Columbia lie lives
in elegant style, keeps six or eight
horses, and entertains his copper color
ed and carpet.bag friends like II
prince. His wife displays herself in
a iiiagniiicsKt eduibage, the finest in
the city, and her hands af bedecRea
and heavy with diamonds; Mean:
while, eSefyboay accuses Parker Of
being a rascal, and he takes no parti-
cular pains to deny it. There is dis.
crepancy bst@een his boogs and
those of the States financial agent in
; New York Of $3.50, ,8O8 03. Parker says
this is caused by to "difference in
dates bit refuses fGfthet tocxplain.
No wonder the people are tired Of
paying taxes, and talk Of refusing to
contribute another cent into the
Treasury Until they have some &ssur-.
ance that 1t Is honestly used. The
opinion Is Widespread throughout tie
State that nine-tonths 81 the Revenues
art stolen, aud unSieeii there is i differ.
ent set of men In office they can Hot
be convinced to tho contrif3.
Reconstruction Is tieedSd here bad
ly; bit It is needed among the Office
holders. If al the iif5mbcrs Of the
Legislature and thfoe-foufths of the
other officers woIid resfgh;; aid lat a
new snd honest Oct Some in, there
! Would be peace, or at least less fuss
than now. e
It is proposed pr the part Of ,tiie
tax. .payc,a to hvld a contention here
nS2t flohth for the purpose of making
an organized effoft'to check the finah!
DIAL evils of the hour. From present
Indications should not be surprised if
the taxpayers refuse to pay any more
taxes. This is revolutionary, but IT
is what is cowicg unless thero ia re-;
form in the State Government. The
subject is being tah3assed now, and
argumtnts addnced pfo and con
Those who insist mon a United refusal