The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-04
abolished.

Such furtiye methods of obtaining money
should be known through prosecutions
against criminals The asserted diff
Guilty OF sustaining government under
such system is unreal. Tie public e1-
penses need not be great, and the neces-
SHY OF raising oil revenue by taxation
shouia' ut the moment OF expenditure,
or oe1ore 1T is susceptible. be utilized,
ana made q source Of great public bene-
NJ. However true it may be in certain
view OF the matter, that all taxes are ul-
timately borne by the laboring class.
they are, nevertheless, in the first in
stance, collected from those who possess
property; and if, by uniform usapes
every dollar required for the expenses of
the Government should be at once ex.
acted from the taxpayer, q powerful
class would be enlisted in the duty of
guarding against official extravaRance.
Government mortgages upon labor, the
most safe and desirable of Investments
wonld cense, and in their place affrighted
capitalists could contemplate only ap.
proachipg tax gatherers. In sell. de.
fence, they would then perform public
duty hitherto neglected. Legislative
corruption would be effectively opposed
under their keen scrutiny. No man
whose record was tainted could pass the
ordeal of election. Long and patient
study has convinced me that on the
practicability of establishing precisely
this popular surveillance, rests the last
hope of our republic. The paternal 60
vernment is not necessarily misohievous
in monarchy; but in republic, based
upon universal suffrage, it cannot fail to
foster innumerahle evils. It is, in fact,
the sum Of all villainies. A government
which develops some of it's powers in
putting money in mems pockets must
employ others in extortion The policy
involves continuous career OF rapine
and favoritism.
Ny deep aversion to all these things
has induced me to encourage the move
ment which you represent; and doubt
less my name will be presented for your
consideration for nominee. In that
event, beg leave respectfully to with
draw it. The strength aud emphasis
which have marked the language en-
ployed by some gentlemen in addressing
me on this subject must be my excuse
Tor saying what follows. Slccess should,
OF course, be the object in the present
condition of affairs. Other leadership
will offer better prospect of attaining
1t. Choice can be made from many
equally reliable as reformers; probably
more capable OF public Office, and yet
less likely to combine formidable ele-
ments of opposition. ~
could not consent to subscribe to q
platform containing either profession
of faith or q reoantation of errors and q
promise of amendment. The existing
practice requires this, and that practice
m 0t no oh 1x, r
that absolute independence which can
hardly be maintained in public Office, a
desire to promote your success instead of
impeding it, and a belief that I can thus
best perform tho individual citizens
quota of public service, have created in
my mind an unalterable resolve to re-
main in private station. Yours truly,
CHARLES O'CONOR.
OOonor's letter was referred to the
Committee on Platform. The Commit
tee on Credentials are as follows: New
York, Van Allen; South Carolina, Stokes
Pennsylvania, Jacobs; Maryland, Sack.
ett; Delaware, Brown; Ohio, High: Mi
chigan, Wheaton; Georgia. Ramsay
Illinois, Hawiey; Indiana, Brannan
Kansas. Brooks; Wisconsin, Kennett;
Iowa, Seaver; Missouri, Williams; Ken
lucky, .Gerger; Tennessee. Parish; North
Carolina, Trowl; West Virginia, Vance;
California, Bryant; New Jersey, Potter
Mississippi, Price; Virginia. Bethune;
| Nebraska. Brook; Alabama, Nesmitt
No other State responded.
The confusion, Which the Chair was
unable to check, made it impossible to
hear the proceedings. When California
wes called, Bayard. of New Jersey, read
his authority from the Democratic Com.
mittee of that State to represent it.
Upon motion, Bayard was allowed to
represent California. Pending o call OF
States. Vallandigham, of Kentucky,
moved that the Convention adjourn tc
the Goth of November. [Cries of "Put
him outF'l Vallandigbam's friends claim
his motion was practical joke.
A committee on permanent organiza
ton, of one from each State, was order
ed. Twenty.four States responded
Bayard, Of New Jersey, represents Cali
fornia on this committee.
Recess to half-past 4. After re- as
sembling, friend apologized for Vallan.
bingham; who. thereupon, was excused,
and resumed his seat.
Ferry. of Michigen, reported from the