The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-16
South Carolina at the Federal Capital.

South Carolina at the Federal Capital.
WASHINGTON, April T..
By request, the delegation from the Republi,,
can organization in South Carolina appeared
before the President to-day, in reply to the
charges made by the memorialists from the
Taxpayers Convention. They were accom-
panied by both the Senators from that State
and a part of the Congressional delegation.
L. G.. Carpenter, of the Columbia Union, spoke
for the delegation and answered the taxpayers
in an address of about fifteen minutes duration,
The President listened attentively, and, at the
close of MIR. Carpenters remarks, said the
answer appeared to be full and conclusive.
He also said he had not been correctly reported
in his remarks to the other delegation.
The Radical delegation claim that their re-
ception was all that could be desired. They
also visited several of the heads of depart
ments, and will appear before the Judiciary
Committee of the House on Wednesday.
The President, in his interview with the
Ring delegation, expressed himself quite salts
fed with their statement, and took occasion to
say that he was not correctly reported when
the South Carolina Democratic delegation
called few days before. He did not then say
that South Carolina and Louisiana were badly
governed. He merely told the delegation that
| if the condition of affairs in those States was
as represented, the remedy was in the hands of
the people, to be applied through the ballot
box. He did not believe what was said by
partisans against the Southern State Govern
ments.
WASHINGTON, April g.
The House subcommittee on the judiciary
had another session this morning on the subject
ofthe South Carolina grievances. Whlttemore's
delegation occupied the entire session. Con-
gresham Elliott made an argument against the
prayer of the memorialsts on constitutional
grounds, and protested against congressional
Interference. He held that the evils complain
ed of can readily be abated by conciliatory ac-
ton on the part of the memorialists party. He
said that the thoughtful Republicans OF the
State were ready and anxious to cooperate
The Supreme Court of the United States, IN
Texas vs.. White, held doctrines opposed to the
spirit of the prayer of the memorialists; and
in Mccullough vs.. Maryland, maintained that
the United States cannot interfere to prevent
the abuse of the taxing power in State.
Whittemore followed, inveighing against the
memorialists for their refusal to participate in
the conventions forming the new State Gov
ernment, and denying the charges OF an extraV-
agant use of the public funds; also holding
that taxation in South Carolina is not exces-
sive.
Next Wednesday there will be another hear
ing for both sides. Gov. Porter has prepared
written statement of the South Carolina
grievances for the Senate judiciary committee,
which will be read before the committee next
Monday morning by the Hon. w. W. Boyce.
Especial Despatch to the Neaos and Courier.
WASHINGTON, Friday, April 10.
Nothing of interest has occurred to-day in
connection with the memorial of the South
Carolina taxpayers. have been at some pains
to ascertain the truth about the recent interview
between President Grant and the representa-
tives of the Columbia Ring. Several persons
who were present assure me that the President
really did express confidence in the counter
statement then made by Mr.. l.. @. Carpenter,
and his opinion that the complaints of the tax
payers had been fully and satisfactorily met.
So that, whatever may be thought of the Ring
in other quarters, the leaning of President
Grant in its favor can hardly any longer be a
matter of dispute. The Presidents denial that.
in his interview with the taxpayers committee,
he had said that louisiana was certainly badly
governed and South Carolina probably so, is
rather unfortunate, as there were between
twenty and thirty gentlemen present, including
Secretary Fish, when he used the language
which he now chooses to disavow.
The final hearing of the case of South Caroli-
ma will take place before the subcommittee of
the House judiciary committee on Wednesday
next, when an equal length of time will be al
lowed to both Sides Messrs. T. Y. Simons
and NJ. G. Butler will close the argument on
behalf of the memorialists, and will make o
brief review of the gigantic frauds committed
against the people under the administrations of
Scott and Moses.
1t is difficult, as yet, to conjecture as to the
nature of the report which the subcommittee
will make, or as to what recommendation in
the premises the committee itself will make to
the House. There is no doubt whatever that
the memorialists have succeeded in convincing
the subcommittee that fragrant wrongs are
being perpetrated in South Carolina under the
cover of legislative enactments, but it seems to
be held that the remedy of interference by
Congress is one that only finds its justification
in proved case of the refusal of the State
officers to protect the citizens. Mr.. Eldridge,
(Democrat) of the subcommittee, says that the
appointment of an investigating committee
implies the existence of the power to legislate,
in case such investigation should show the truth
of the charges inquired into. Just at this point
comes up the question as to whether the abuse
of the taxing power by State officers constitutes
a conspiracy to rob the people, and, supposing
the question to be answered afirmatively,
whether such conspiracy would be case
calling for Federal interposition under any
provision of the Constitution. The whole
subject is generally conceded to present q
perplexing problem.
PALMETro.