The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-03
Cse=tEUMBIA, s. G. e.
Saturday Morning, ] January 5, 1874.
The P.opoied stAte 0oeven,ion.

The Propofed state Oouvenrion.
The Hon. ". .. Porter. President Of
tho Tax. payers Convention. which met
in this city in May. 1871, and adjourned
subject to the call Of the Executive
Committee, has requested the Commit
toe to meet in Charleston. on the 18TH
instant, to consider the proposition to
re-assemb!e the Convention aud enlarge
the number OF delegates to it. The sug-
gestion has been made in our columns.
by a responsible. patriotic and highly
intelligent gentleman. that the order of
the grange in every. County and the
farmers clubs throughout the State
shonld appoint delegates. with alter
mates, to assemble in Columbia, on the
10Th instant, to issue an address to their
fellow-oitizens of other States, and to
petition Congress for relies from the in
tolsrable evils to which they are sub
jeoted. To this, suggestion, several COR
dial and earnest responses have been
made. Only one journal in the State
has taken exceptions to it. and that, as
We showed at the time, upon tho insult.
oient ground that the grange was de-
barred from engaging in political dis
cussion.
Il seemed to US, however, that our
friend '':::Vidette'' did not lay suHa-
oiently broad basis for convention to
stand upon. But, as we said afterwards,
in explanation OF his meaning. it was
his a. we'll as our purpose to start with
the designation of the most prominent
organized body in the State which fairly
represented its property. intelligence,
oandor and character. Once the move.
ment was fairly initiated. and public in
terest aroused to the Importance OF the
mode of action contemplated. it was ex-
.peoted that other elements would come
forward, widen its scope, and add their
force and momentum to it. It was the
intention to get the fullest concert of
action in banding together all available
and reputable Influences in opposition
to the prevailing corruption, and in
sending forth to tho world such u voice
of power and truth as would place our
cause fairly before it for its just judg-
ment. We are gratifled that the Charles
tom Board of Trade has moved so
promptly and efficiently in the same
direction. and that the respected and
honored President of tic Tax payers
Convention has sum moned its Executive
Committee to consult upon the expe-
diency OF re,assembling it. He shows
himself-Sto be in sympathy with the
great heart and fixed purpose OF the
people. And it is equally wise and
thoughtful in him to suggest an enlarge
ment OF the bndy whioh it is proposed
to convene.
The convention of 1871 was barren
OF immediate practical results. or rather,
it failed. to secure those valuable results
which were within its grasp. We need
not dwell upon the cAnses of this short
coming. They in no way reflected upon
its ability. dignity. patriotism or ear
neatness. These were conspicuous
throughout it's entire sessions. We
have gone over its papers und reports
with care ana interest. aud find them
fully up to the mark OF the great under
taking they had IN hand. They have
high value even now. The conven-
ton, ae then organized, aud in its per-
sonnel, is the beat nucleus about which
q real convention can now Le gathered.
We trust that, in the terms of the call
to be made, should it be deemed alvisa.
BILE. provision may be afforded to sup
plement its membership, and that o
body will be got together which will be
strictly representative OF tho great inte-
rests, the honor. the ability, the patriot
ism, and especially the stern determine
tion OF the people. Let them SEQ to it
that they select their ablest and most
faithful men to represent them.
Tue Immixration Report.
We treated In our last the absurd aud