The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-05-14
South Carolina at the Federal Capital.

South Carolina at the Federal Capital.
The anomalous condition Of affairs in South
Carolina, as presented by the memorialists of
the Tax-Payers' Convention, has evoked an
earnest inquiry throughout the country, and
received a patient consideration from the Ju-
dietary Committee of the House of Represen-
tatiyes. The members of the Judiciary Com
mittee are divided in sentiment and action,
which gives to the country every phase Of tho
subject.
The majority submitted lengthy report
through Hon. Lyman Tremain, of New York,
and summary of this report appeared in our
last issue, which renders it unnecessary that
we should reiterate the points and conclusions
by which the majority are governed in their
action. 1t is enough to know that this elabo-
rate document contains a positive denial OF
any relief for the taxpayers of South Carolina,
through the Intervention of the Federal gov
ernment The majority, however, seek to bring
reproach for past conduct upon the respectable
class of citizens who submitted petition for
redress of grievances, which have been imposed
under the forms of law, and maintained by the
passive support of the general government.
Only meagre reproof is given to the horde of
plunderers, whose blackened, shameful reputa-
tion has received the strongest condemnation
from the civilized world. The faintest shadow
of hope is expressed for better state of affairs
The majority report is thoroughly partisan in
its defence of the Republican organization for
past and present conduct, regardless of the op-
pressive burdens thereby imposed and perpetu-
ated.
Hon. Charles A. Eldridge, of Wisconsin, sub
mitted minority report, which clearly sets
forth the grievances of the taxpayers of South
Carolina, and proposes to have thorough in
vestigation into the alleged frauds and abuses
of the "organized system of brigandage" pre-
vailing here. A brief synopsis of this report
will be found upon our first page to-day. This
is the Democratic view as to the condition OF
affairs and the remedy therefor
A third report has been submitted to Con-
gress, embodying the views of Hon. Clarkson
N. Potter, (Dem.) of New York, and Hon.
Marcus L. Ward (Rep.) of New Jersey. These
gentlemen declare that whatever may be the
condition of public affairs in South Carolina,
the minority are not prepared to say that Con-
gress has authority to interfere with State
government where popular suffrage exists. The
report refers to the deplorable rule in South
Carolina, as recited by the memorialists-none
of the charges having been controverted-and
claims that though existing under the form OF
law, it is none the less government unworthy
of preservation. The constitution provides
for the mode and manner Of its own amend
ment. If the present state OF things in the
South is attributable to the recent constitution
al amendment which forbids any restriction in
suffrage on account of race or color, it may be
found that further amendments are necessary,
looking to educational and other qualifications
for suffrage in the United States. At any rate,
the distress and abuses prevail to such an ex-
tent as would seem to warrant the investigation
recommended by the minority, with the view
of ascertaining whether there is any great and
prevalent evil which can be cured by legisla-
ton now, or that may hereafter be brought
within the power of Congress.
The discussion upon these reports will arouse
fresh Indignation against an organized and sys-
tematic tyranny, and the public mind will be
forced to conclude that the patience and for
bearance of this people have been sorely tried
in the past, now rapidly verging upon the point
where the exercise of these qualities will cease
to be virtue What effect this discussion
will produce upon the dominant party in this
State remains to be seen. 1t is within their
power to satisfy the reasonable demands of the
minority. Honest and capable government
will fully meet the requirements of the situa-
tion.