Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-04-09
THE TAXPAYERS, DELEGATION.

T In our report of Congressional proceedings,
will be found the action taken by Congress on
the memorial of the South Carolina tax-pay-
ers, which was presented in both Houses on
the 31st ultimo AS will be seen, a counter
petition has also been presented. The COM
mittee bearing this document to the Capital
consists of Lieutenant Governor Gleaves,
Speaker Lee, D. H. Chamberlain, L. G. Car
penter, H. G. Worthington, B. F. White
more, J. L. Neagle, Y. j. P. Owens and T..
B. johnson. They claim to be able to sue
cessfully refute the statements made by the
memorialists, and to show that South Carroll
ma has not onlya Republican form Of govern
ment, but that a large majority Of her citizens,
both white and black, neither seek nor desire
interference from the United States Govern
ment. They further claim that the memorial
lists represent no considerable body of citizens
Of either party, neither taxpayers nor politi-
clans, and that it is the same struggle that
has been going on ever since reconstruction
simply fight between the outs and the ins.
On Friday, the case was considered by the
judiciary committee of the House, who ap-
pointed subcommittee, consisting of Messrs.
Tremane of New York, Eldridge of Wiscon.
sin, and White of Alabama, to hear both
sides. The taxpayers delegation has appoint
ed Messrs Porter, Kershaw, Butler, Elliott,
Lathers and T. Y. Sipons subcommittee
to conduct their case. The rest of tue dele
cation have returned home The point now
aimed at is to induce the judiciary committee
to recommend an investigating committee, so
that Congress may be officially cognizant of
the condition of affairs in this State, which is
considered an indispensable preliminary to
Congressional action.
Regarding the remedial measures that may
be proposed, that of the cumulative system of
voting has been suggested, and also proper
ty qualification of the voters for at least one
branch Of the Legislature. Of these propo-
sitions the Washington correspondent of the
New York Tribune writes to that paper:
"The most effective remedy suggested is to
have the State Senate elected by voters hav
ing property qualification. Another plan,
less certain to accomplish the desired result,
is the enactment of sytem of cumulative vo-
ting, which would give the white minority a
representation in the Legislature ofinfuential
men, who would be able to prevent the major
ity from perpetrating the most glarlng frauds
upon the taxpayers. 1t is scarcely hoped by
the delegation that Congress can be persuad-
ed to take so novel step as to reorganize the
government of the State in accordance with
this or any other plan; but, if no such re-
suits come from their visit to Washington,
they think some good will be accomplished
by enlightening the public as to the condition
of affairs in that State"
The delegation had hearing last Monday
before the House subjudiciary committee, the
counter delegation, accompanied by Congress-
man Elliott, being also present. Gov. Porter,
Colonel Lathers and General Kershaw ad-
dressed the committee on grievances. Ire
maine, of the subcommittee, expressed de.
sire to discover some justification for interpo-
sition by Congress in the domestic affairs ofa
sovereign State in the Union. Porter pointed
out that the present anomalous government
is a creature of Congress that since its estab-
lishment Congress has legislated to protect
persons, when it was alleged the State author
tiles omitted to do so. Now it is alleged
there is an omission of authorities to protect
property, and the same right exists in Con-
gress to legislate to protect property in danger
of con6scation, as formerly, to protect persons
from alleged ku-klux conspiracies. This is
conspiracy against property. The impression
on the committee was favorable. -