New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-04-16

Total Observation-Disclosures. SiJO, 900
1t will be seen that these appropriations,
though made in one year, are for work or
dered and performed during period Of three
years.
The works for which the appropriation of
$3.50, 900 was made, were extraordinary. and
will not probably occur again for twenty
years. Thus it will be seen that the appro-
priatiOns that are properly chargeable for
for work done during the fiscal year are
SIS 900, instead of 1915, 900.
1t is stated that the total appropriations
for public printing made by the Legislature
of south Carolina, during Il period of sixty
years, from 1900 to 1859, Is S27I ,lSO This
statement is not correct; but even if it were.
is it cause for bOastlulnesS, that but that
amount was expended for printing during the
sixty years that the people were kept in ig-
norance, and no .publlc information dissent
mated amongst them for their enlightenment
and elevation: We think not
1t is stated that ''the committees have
received large sums as compensation for
reporting tavorably on private bills" What
ever corruption may exist in the Legislature
is to be attributed to the Democrats as well
as the Republicans. They never hesitate
to offer brides when they have private bill
to pass. But corruption existed long before
the advent Of the Republican party of this
State into power, only it was carried on then
with the artistic skill of more experienced
operators, and not easily seen.
The reference to the judicial department
calls Tor special notice. The Judges of the
Supreme and Circuit Courts of tlr-sate
number eleven, eight of whom are natives.
These gentlemen held positions of trust ana
honor during the days of the Confcderacy
but have shown the patriotic wisdom since
the. war to accept the situation, and lend
their learning and influence to aid the worl,
of reconstruction,
For this course, they have been pursued
with unrelenting hate and vigor, and every
possible insult offered them by those who do
not desire to see the work of recon struclion
successful.
OF the remaining three, one was selected
as the candidate for Governor in 1870 BIZ the
party which the taxpayers represent. and
the learning and ability of the other two have
never been questioned.
The alusion to the executive department.
being general, calls for no specific answer
from us. 1t simply amounts to this, when
Invested OF Its spleen and misrepresentation
that the Republicans are in power and con-
troll the State, and they do not Their COM
plants remind us most forcibly of the reply
OF that profound and astute statesman. Prince
bismarck, to the Papal hierarchy, who COM
piained OIL the oppressive nature of the Prus-
sian laws: Unfortunately" saws he. .syou
are accustomed to complain of oppression
when not permitted to lord over others
The gentlemen who have assembled in
TINS constitution, constituting themselves the
peculiar representatives of the sO.calIed tax
payers, are not what they would have the
country believe. They are the prominent
poiltlclans OF the old regime-the former ruiinr
element OF the State--who simply desire TO
regain the power they lost by their folly of
secession. They are not, endorsed by the
masses OF the sober, thinking white Demo-
Gratis OF the State, who look upon their action
as unwise and ill-timed. We will state a
Weli-known fact in proof of this
Inc Democratic members of the I.eeisla-
lure, numbering thirty-one, held a caucus
IN the proceedings Of the convention. and
addressed letter to the President, advising
against the calling of the convention as mn.
wise and lnjudcious. The letter was re-
ceived, and the President replied, regrett;nc
that they had not informed him Of their
Intention previous to the meeting of the En-
ecutive Committee that had already called
the convention.
The Republicans admit the existence of
evils among them. They acknowledge they
nave committed mistakes and errors in the
past, which they deeply regret. But those
mistakes and errors are being daily corrected.
ana they see no necessity whatever to resort
10 the desperate remedies asked for bv con-
ventlon OF the so-called taxpayers. There
are enough able and good men among those
VINO have the present charge of the Govern.
ment IN their hands to right every EXISTING
wrong. They are determined to do so
In this work the difficulties under which
they have labOred have been naturally Great
ana nave been increased ten-fold by the dc,
termlned hostility and opposition of the Dem
ocratlc party ever since reconstruction. This
II, !. tuelr third ehort to regain power. First.
they expected it through the election of Sew,
mour ana BLAIR; second, through the mid.
Ilght murders and assassinatiOns of Ku-
Ml9Nlsm; and now, thirdly, by the distortion
anu misrepresentation OF facts, in order TO
create puDidc sentiment in their favor and
obtain relief from Congress-.
Relying upon the Justice of our conso ,ro
ment. ' JUG
SAMUEL j. LEE.
chairman pro tem.,
w. NJ. THOMAS.
JOSEPH CREWS,
II. II. ELLISON,
p. r. RIVERS.
JOHN r. COCHRAN,
ROBERT SMALLs.
Z. w. M. MACKEY,
JOHN LEE,
II. l.. SHREWSBURY.
GEORGE F. MCINTYRE,
WILSON Cook,
JOHN H. McDEvITT,