Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-02-26

most positive proofs Of sincerity.
t12 NJ. the Hon. William D. Porter Of
! Charleston, called the convention to order, a
majority ofthe delegates being present. The
regular secretaries being absent four new ones
were appointed viz: Giles j. Patterson, of
Chester, George johnson, of Newberry, w.
St. Julien Jervey, of Charleston, and D. S.
Henderson, of Aiken.
Rev. VIM. Martin opened the convention
with prayer.
Mr.. Porter, in addressing the convention,
said, it is three years since the Taxpayers
Convention first met to consider the public
debt and means to reduce the same he did
not propose to discuss how far that convention
was successful Its main object was to defeat
the six millions of sterling loan bonds. He
referred to the promises of the new admins.
tration; the promises had been utterly and
shamefully broken, and extravaganza and
corruption had gone on, until it had driven
the people to despair, and to either reform or
revolution. Their government had not been
republican. The committee had considered
that it was deemed expedient to reassemble
the body; that they might protest to the
people Of the United States, and by prudent
counsel entitle themselves to the sympathy Of
those who have an adherence of misrule,
and that they may help the people who are
deprived of the privileges nearest and dearest
to freedom, and in condition that is revolt
ing. He then entered into a detail Of the
condition of the State. He claimed that tax
alton and representation should 60 together,
and argued the jealousy of free people for
this right-quoting our own national indepen-
dence as proof of it.
He did not hold that each person should
have representation according to his wealth,
but that property should be represented, so as
to guard against the tyranny Of non-property
holders. This taxation without representa-
ton, he held, was the greatest tyranny. 1t
was not proposed to consider the matter in
the light of race, color, or politics, but simply
as property owners. The voting population
of the State was divided by broad, straight
line into two classes the greater preponder-
ance of power was with the non-taxpayers,
and the people who pay the taxes have no
voice in levying them. The great proprietary
interests of the State are taxed ad tibltum by
those who do not feel any part of the burden,
and enjoy all the benefits. This, he held, was
without parallel, and would not be permitted
in any other State without the aid of military
force. The property holders were daily be-
coming impoverished, while the leaders of the
other party have become suddenly rich. The
former have not even legal resistance, because
the Legislature has closed the door against
them. He then gave quotations Of facts and
figures to show the difference between the tax
levies and the increased rate of taxation,
which he said was over twenty times that Of
before the war ; the debt had been increased
six times it's amount He made similar state
ments regarding the bills for stationery, pub
lie printing, election frauds, railroad frauds,
&C., which, he said. were not denied although
tl,ey provoke disgust. They had been de-
nounced by the press and the people; they
were robbing the widow and the orphan.
member Of this convention, and also most
distinguished Republican, has written in evil
dence of all this; he owns it all. He then
quoted at length from a letter of Honorable
D. H. Chamberlain.
Mr.. Porter then said that since that letter
was written three years had passed, and we
are three years nearer the end, and that end
is bankrup ptcy Could nothing be done to
prevent this? 1t was simply question of
selfpraservation, and it mattered not whether
it came from Republican or Conservative
government. Reform was what was wanted.
The wrong and the difficulty was in the excess
Of taxation, and reaction was inevitable. He
encouraged immigration, which was applaud
ed. The advantage of this he set forth at
length, and referred to the fact that, with
broader encouragement, this immigration
would increase rapidly. He recommended
the organization of taxpayers clubs all over
the State, with a central club in this city.
He strenuously urged the memorializing of
Congress for redress. He wished the govern
ment would speak a resolute word to bring the
perpetrators of the great State wrongs to pro.
priety. Reconstruction was briefly referred
to, and it was questioned whether it was not
the duty of the United States to interpose so
as to give a proper government to the State.
Every means and agency should be employed
to turn aside the ruin now impending. lie
referred to the history by Bancroft-that
"South Carolina founds the American Union"
and then described the circumstances which
brought forth this utterance. Had itnot been
for South Carolina, he said, no Congress
would then have been held. The first dele
gates who arrived on the spot we're Gadsden,
Rutledge and Lynch.
One thing the American people may be dis
posed to remember against South Carolina,
but there are other things they never can for
get Let us call upon the American people
to rescue the homes of the gallant members
of the Old Thirteen from being trodden down
by ignorance and rapacity that are running
riot through the land, and if they have nature
in them they will hear and respect the cause.
After Governor Porter's speech, which was
attentively listened to, and of which the above
is very brief synopsis, sundry other dele
gates reported and were received. The presi-
dent then stated that the convention was prop
erly organized.
C. H. Simonton, Esq, of Charleston, then
offered the following resolutions, which he
read, viz:
1',rhis convention not having been called in the
interest ofany political party, all political discus
sion or rausion to the questions now agitatlng the
| two great parties existing in the nation would be
foreign to the purposes for which it is assembled.
"Resoiued, No resolution or motion Of this char
actcr, or involving such discussion, will be re-
| ceved by the convention.
| "RcSOivcd, That the convention address itself
to tho consideration the following subjects:
| "FirSt. TO the preparation and adoption of Il
memorial and address, whereby tho people of the
| United States can bo informed of the wrongs
which we suffer by reason Of the frauds and ex-
travagance of our State government, and by the
total disregard of the interests of the taxpayers,
| who are not represented, and who are thus de-
prived of the advantages ola Republican form Of
| government.
"Second. TO the preparation and adoption of
some mode whereby just punishment can be WIS.,
| tied upon the perpetrators and authors of these
| frauds, and whereby the commission thereof can
| he prevented in future.
l,;r1 To fbo nf an thn