The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-09-20
From he Mtu York World of Monday.

Niles G.. Parker, at his house in JERSEY
City, and obtained from him q very full
statement, which was taken down phono-
graphically. The statement was made
without previous preparation, and this
may account in great measure for some
luoseness noticeable in the arrangement.
and also for any slight inaccuracies of
dates and figures. Yesterday afternoon
Mr.. Parker was engaged in conducting a
large temperance meeting in Jersey CITY,
and OH returning home made the follow
ing statement:
PARKER'S RECORD AND ELECTION.
settled in Charleston in February.
1866, engaging in planting and the mer.
camille supply business. In 1867 Gen.
Candy appointed me alderman in the
city Of Charleston. Gaillard was Mayor
at the time and there was place in the
Council made vacant by death. A few
mouths later was appointed chairman
Of the committee of legislation under the
Reconstruction acts. After the
discharge of that duty, devoted myself
again to private business. l was soon,
however, elected member of the Con-
stitutional Convention from Barnwell
County, though / made no effort to secure
my nomination or election. In that con-
vention was chairman of the committee
OH finance, and succeeded in ruising the
amount necessary for the expenses of the
convention. In the discharge Of my du-
ties had the cooperation and good will
of Governor Orr. AS member of the
convention l opposed the passage of the
law authorizing the State to issue bonds.
took the ground that the State indebt.
edness and the current expenses could be
provided for by taxation, and that any
further issue of bonds was unnecessary.
AS in previous years the State expenses
had not exceeded 100000, 1 did not
believe that more than 100000 would
be needed to cover them. The surplus
amount paid into the treasury as collected
taxes would be enough to meet the paw
ment of interest on the State debts, CON
solidated and floating, and settle in the
course of a few years all outstanding
claims not represented already by State
bonds The act was incorporated in the
Constitution, however, in spite of my op-
position.
at the first election under the new
Constitution 1 was put in nomination for
State treasurer and was elected. This
nomination grew wholly out of the sue:
cess which l had achieved in raising the
expenses of the convention. / went into
office in July, 1863 Scott was Governor,
Chamberlain was attorney general, Car
dozo was Secretary of State, Frank Moses
was adjutant general and Neagle was
comptroller general. The constitution of
the Legislature WAC entirely Republican,
think without an exception. The Dem
ocrafs refused to take part in the election.
Naturally both Senate AMI H use were
composed very largely of colored men,
bers. Frank Noses wes the speaker of
the House, and undoubtedly the most in.
flucntial member CT it during his four
years term Of Office,
ONLY FORTYTwO DOLLARS IN THE STATE
TREASURY.
When took charge of the State treas
ury there was only forty-two dollars in
1t. By the comptroller generals report
Tor 1867 the bonded and stock debt was
nearly $4,000, GOO, and there was consid-
cradle interest outstanding as we'll as
other unadjusted debts amounting ap-
proximately to $3,000,O00. The tax of
the first year was 81 mills upon the as
sessed valuation of the property in the
State. This tax was expected to yield
)! 100000 or 81 100000. The fiscal year
OF the State closed on October 31st, 1868.
we went into Office in July, and spe.
ciai session of the Legislature was called
Immediately. Instead of imposing tax
TO cover the expenses of the current year
MS well MS the year ending October 81,
1867. we only imposed one tax, as we
had then an honest intention to relieve
the people of the State of all but neces-
sary burdens. So we made tax for one
year only, intending to provide for out
Standing claims by the issue of bonds
VI this tax imposed we collected about
three-fourths, and the balance was left
outstanding. No extraordinary meas
ures were resorted to enforce its collec-
tion, and think that judgment was
never obtained against the de!inaucnts in
the courts.
CHAMBERLAIN's PECULIAR BILLS.
Under the Provisional Government d
law had been passed authorizing the
iunding of all outstanding debts, interest
ahd principal, up 10 July /, 1867. The
Legislature, in July, 1868, passed bill
10 pay all interest due from July l, 1867,
IN gold. This bill was engineered by
inc State financial agent H. q. Kimpton.
lie was friend and classmate of Cham
berlain's, and was. introduced by him to
me as the proper man to be the financial
agent of the State. He was appointed
by the financial board-Scott, Cham
berlain and myself The bill mas
regarded by US Us Kimpton's measure,
and he represented that it would raise
the value of the bonds materially, and
enhance the credit of the State. In this
view he was supported by Chamberlain.
here l may say that never knew q
hnanclal act to pass the Legislature
which wac nns nrn.,osed n hill by
kimpton and sanctioned by Chamber
lain. His bills were always passed as
presented. In regard to this particular
6ill, it should be added that the interest
demanded was paid ;,s gold until the
winter of 1869-70, when the law was
changed, 80 that thereafter the interest
was payable in currency. Kimpton was
himself obliged to obtain the change of
the act, rs it was seen to be impossible TO
meet the demands upon the treasury for
gold.
In the course of 1868 and 1869 the
Legislature passed acts to provide for the
redemption, at par, of all floating debts
outstanding. All these financial meas
nres authorizing the issue Of bonds were
susceptible &c I've interpretations. The
wording of one act will sufficiently illus.
tgate this point: "The Governor is here.
by authorized and directed to borrow
$l,000,000 upon bonds Of the State ot
South Carolina, said bonds to be signed
by the Governor and treasurer, and
sealrd by the secretary of State, to bt
payable in South Carolina and Mt the