New-York tribune., 1874-05-07
THE CASE or SOUTH CAROLINA.

REPORT OF A MINORITY OF TIE HOUSE JUDICIARY
CoMMITTEE-IHE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AR
RNGNED FOR THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE
AFFLICTED sTAIE-AN INVESTIGATION ASKED
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, May 6.-To-day Mr.. Eldredge
(DemJ from the Judiciary Committee Of the House,
submitted minority report the memorial OF the tax
payers OF South Carolina. The minority dissent entirely
from the conclusions OF the majority The report says
nd in the reproaches of the conduct of the
memOralsts IN the past auy reason OF IJustfcaton or
refusing the hearing they now request IAer hiehty
10 the Constitution and laws is now unquesuoned, and
this plea Is made III respectful terms"
After a recital in detail Of the grievances Of the
memoralsts and an expression of the belief that the
complaints sustained by the facts, reference is made
10 the difficulty in pointing out the precise clause OF the
Constitution authorizing intervention, but 1t Is claimed
authority for protection IN all things essen
tial to good government 1t is then remarked that 1t
should be last sight Of that for the condition of
things now existing in South Carolina the Federal Gov
ernmen is primarily responsible Blink it, look upon 1t
as we may. horrible tho work of its hand may now
Things makes the Commonwealth OF South Carolina
the foul Stigma IL now is in our sys,em We do not
tbrocms 10 hc contempt of the world and ali intel
nCent men, in that all powerful 10 inaugurae
ana establish the pandGmoniun now existing there, ana
very moment It is done are utterly poweress TO IN
crere at all, 10 save property OF the people
from the spOsman Nor can we foIbear the suggestion
that If this appeal were on behalf OF 5oOOO negroes IN,
stead 3OOOC) white S0uherners of our own race and
the sympaties of the majority mere
toore exhibited thai they would find by right Or by
wrong some means Of rcfcf The petitioners would not
have been so coldy and nppantly turned away"
Admitting that il is matter of great delcacy for the
Federal Government 10 interfere IL is urged by the
minority OF the Committee that the complaint OF the
InemOTiaists is that the rulers or the people nave
surped the power prOpcrty-ownef not Tor legs
atye purposes not to support tue goyenment OF the
state but the purpose Of impoverising the tax.
PAYERS and cnrichng themselves; Tor the purpose OF
aXiug the white people down 10 the eVei OF the negro
Under the pretense ol tue taxing power they are e-
deavOring distribute property OF owners among those
who have IL tins not usurpaton by the rulers
intended to prOtcctl II is not the mere abuse Oh the
taXng power but the utter perverson OF that power
from all legitimate objects OF taxation Can there be
republican of government where inns Is done, the
main object Of the Government being the protection Of
the property OF the citizen and the citizen III the ENJOY
ment OF his property" , a..
The report quotes from Hamilton, Calhoun, and other
authorities constitutional guaranty and concludes
az foows In view OF the whole case, we cannot
hesitate recommend the appointment OF committee
10 90 into the state Carolina ana fully inquire
and Investigate INTO the condition or the state ana the
charges complaint OF the memoraliss. TO do less
feel should violate neglect most solemn ana
imperative duty The cry Of that outraged ana help
less suffering people has reached our hearts as well
understanding. That once prospecting and beau
ul the OF She Is, indeed, already
prostrate horde Of thieves and robbers, worse than
any that infected any civilized community on
earth have her by the throat and fast sucking her
life blood Three hundred thousand Of her citizens de-
scendants of those who fought and won with our
fathers the battles of American independence and lib
erty crying Congress for redress and help They
have suffered all that humanity can endure; they have
themselves TO refuse their request is to d1ye Them
despair and ruin"