Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-02-26
The TAX PAYERS CONVENTION.
CON rINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
THURSDAY, February 19.

The Convention met at 10 A. NJ, President
Porter in the chair. Additional delegates ap.
peared and registered.
Mr.. j. G. Davis, of Laurens, was added to
the Committee on immigration, and G. W.
Dudley to the Executive Committee.
Mr.. Chas H. Noise, of Sumter, introduced
the following preamble and resolution, which
were referred to the Committee on State and
Municipal Taxation:
WHEREAS, The poll tax, devoted by law to the
great cause Of pOpl lar education, would, II prop
erly collected, yield to the treasi. about S4O,O 900
and whereas, not more than one-thrd OF this
alnnunt WAS collected i'll either 1871 or 1872 there
fore,
Pcsol,rtl, That the Committee on Taxation be,
and arc hereby, requested to report to this con.
vention plan whereby the collection of the poll
tax may be enforced.
Mr.. j. NJ. Williams, of Beaufort, introduced
the following preamble and resolutions, which
were referred to the Committee on 1mmigra-
ton:
WHEREAS, Our grievances are mainly attribu-
table to the want of organization, and without Or
ganization it is impossible to prevent the threat
ened contiscation of our property, and our c0nsc-
uuent annihatiOn; therefore,
Rcsoired, That we. the representatives of the
taxpayers OF this State, constituting the Tax
Payers Convention, do resolve this convention
into a society, to be known as the Tax Payers
immigration League.
tive counties he appointed committees, and re-
quired to organize county societies, az branches OF
this, the central TaX-Payers Immigration League.
Resolred That it be referred to Il committee to
report constitution for this society.
Gen. James Chestnut, Chairman, asked leave
for the Executive Committee to sit during the
sessions of the convention, which was granted.
Mr.. Dunnovant, at his request, was relieved
from serving on the committee to wait on the
State Treasurer, and Mr.. j. c. Sheppard, Of
Edgefeld, substituted in his stead.
Mr.. Fielder offered a resolution, that this
convention was the legitimate representative
ofthe people that the Legislature had right
to levy proper taxes, but that all over that
amount was highway robbery, and that the
present executive officers were highway rob.
bers Also, providing for the prosecution of
the same, and the organization Of another
body, to be chosen by the people, the two
races to vote in separate boxes; and that they
meet hereafter to adopt constitution and
laws of a proper government. Referred to
the executive committee.
General Gary reported upon immigration,
from that committee, that it was not in con-
sonance with the constitution of the Oranges
for them to act with any other body. The
report detailed the routine of immigration !;
the examination of agents interested in the
work. 1t was stated that English immigrants
had the preference. The prejudice against
the State studously circulated against the
whole South-was reported to be one of the
greatest obstacles to be overcome, and was
Particularly referred to. The advantages Of
this State-of its climate, soil, &c.-were
carefully set forth. 1t was deemed of the
greatest Importance to guard immigrants
against sharpers, and to locate them in the
most healthy places. That school.houses
should be built; that their food should be
improved. The introduction of $4,000 immi-
grants, the reporoset forth, would remedy the
evils now existing by the use of the ballot
box. There were twelve counties in the State
that might be made to poll white vote, which,
added to the ten counties that now poll white
maiorities, would give the control of the gov
ernment to the white people.
Resolutions were offered providing for the
establishment of bureau of immigration
The whole tenor of this report was the con-
sideration of means to establish white maj jori-
ties and to use all endeavors to first bring into
line those counties, twelve in number, so that
with the other ten, white rule might be es-
tabIshed. In support of the report Mr. Gary
spoke at length. He did not leave home, he
said, with the intention of taking any part in
the proceedings. He had almost come to
think that no good came from them. His
mind had been changed, however, when the
subject of immigration was called up; this
subject he considered the most important, and
that all others were subordinate to it. A re-
view was made of ante -bellum administrations.
Of Andrew johnson he said he believed he
was the greatest deraagogue the world ever
produced, and the worst foe South Carolina
ever had. He blamed Orr for abandoning
the party; he did not allude to this from any
disrespect to the dead, but for the benefit of
the living. The result has been that the
negro could not be induced to vote for an
honest government in South Carolina.
The Greeley movement was referred to. lie
did not for one believe the election Of Greeley
would have brought about any redress to the
State In case Congress was mcmoralized,
how could they assist tbs people? Who
compose Congress? 1t is composed of people
who are hand in glove with the negroes. The
Executive had lent his aid to Moses, who is a
proper representative of the thieves of the
State The political interests of all these
people, he held, would not allow of any in
reference here. The hint of refusing to pay
Ill: II had