The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-02
REPORT OF THE South CAROLINA ME-.

REPORT OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA Me.
MORTAL Mr.. Tremain, Of the Sub.
Committee Of the House judiciary Com
mlttee, presented, on the 2Sth, TO the
faii committee, report OH the memo.
rial OF the Taxpayers Convention of
South Carolina, asking for relief against
me alleged misgovernmenti in that State.
The report was adopted by majority
81 that committee. The committee say
they cannot resist the conclusion that
the extraordinary condition OF the peo-
pie OF South Carolina is owing, In a
great degree, to tho extraordinary events
that have occurred and the great ohuuges
that have been produced within the Lust
few years, for which her present citi.
zens, or the majority thereof, are not
properly responsible, and which ure be-
yond the reach and control of Congress.
The committee refer, in this connection.
TO the late civil war and to the organic
changes in tho Constitution uf the
United Strtes, not for the purpose of
re-openlng the wounds caused by that
war, but because it is the duty OF states.
.nen who arc invalid to apply Il remedy
90 existing alleged wrongs 10 ascertain
the nature, extent and origin Of those
wrongs. The result of the war was the
destruction OF Slavery and the loss to
the shareholders of that State of $3.50
OO0.OO0 If property invested in slaves.
Ihen chm" the thirteenth, fourteenth
and hf-eeuth amendments to the Cousti-
tuition, whereby the em:Ancipatetl sluve
Became clothed with all the attributes of
citizenship, aud invested with the right
OF suffrage. The freedmen now consti-
tute majority OF tho people there, and
political power has been transferred
from their former masters to those who
while IN state Of slavery, were denied
I'LL participation in the rights and priyi-
leges Of American citizenship. Whut-
ever evils may urise from political powe.
III the hand OF the freedmen, the re-
sponsibiilty therefor rests not with
them, but with the people OF the United
States, they having adopted the amend.
ments. aud they alone having the power
to chunge the Constitution. In the
Judgment OF the committee, the real
grievances of the memorinlists aud those
whom they represent relate to these
changes IN the Constitution. The CO
iored votr RS of South Carolina are about
w, 600. and the white voters 40, 600.
Congress bus no constitutional power to
grant the relief which is asked by the
petitioners. IN tho opinion of tue con-
mittee. Although this objection was
presented aud fully Discussed, the pro.
position wla not contrOverted that Cou-
gress could Pat intervene in this case.
unless tho power to net was conferred by
some express grant in the Constitution,
"r was necessary to carry into execution
some power that was conferred. The
r. I'M mil ft.A:.
discover the force Of the claim mnde by
the petitioners. that they ure .uifering
from tho canti-Republican and odious op.
preston of system OF taxation without
representation, aud that Congress has
no more right to interfere to disturb the
State Government Of South Carolina, or
to invade the rights OF the people, than
to Interfere with tho States of New
York, Pennsylvania or Illinois. The
committee further answer the arguments
OF tho memorlailsts. and say they are
fully rensib!c Of tho delicacy and the
inportahcc oi the matter" presented for
thr,r consideration. They would not
withhold any constitutional aid which
can 5e extended to the livus, liberties
aud property of any citizens, but they
are unwliiiUg to usurp unauthorized au-
>,'''SS ~ oSSothP Pliou euSu EcSlIlS. J. lie
committee say they have confidence in
the iinll success Of the great changes
that have been wrought in favor of the
African lace III this country, from the
Intelligence aud capacity exhibited by
their representatives in Congress, aud
toy those who appeared before the com
mitiee. They feel assured they can, il
they will, establish their rights 10 the
confidence Of the country. It is hoped
that with the advantages afforded now oi
education, and with the eagerness they
display 20 avail themselves of its bene
tits. they will be found fully equal to the
dignity aud duties of their newly nc.
qnired citizenship. It is believed that
by the mutual interchange of kind and
friendly intercourse, and by employ
ment of all those means which are found
sufficient in other States, existing evils
III tho administration OF the affAirs of
South Carolina may bo relnediol by the
people themselves. The committee,
therefore, report u resolution, that the
prayer Of the memorialists be denied.
and the com muittes discharged from the
further consideration of the subject.
REFISEMENT or (,R1.E1rv Will th,