Year: 1871

The Tax-payers' Convention at Charles


tOn-The Resolutions, etc.


CHARLESTON, May 13.-In the Tax-payers Con-
venton last evening Mr.. George A. Trenholm, from
the committee OF eleven, submitted lengthy report
on the financial condition OF the State. The grand
total OF the debt is fixed at IS s69 0s the total
The report recommends that the Governor do not
sell any more bonds at less than SO per cent and to
proceed to New York to make the most economical
arrangement for holding the aforementioned
becomes attainable The committee further re-
commends that, when redeemed, portion OF this
sum be applied TO the payment Of the Fire Loan


The report says that it is quite reasonable to ex-
pect from this exhibition Of the exact condition of
the finances Of the State, an immediate considera-
BILE advance and facilities for holding them off the
market. 1t appears to the committee that the
various issues and sums OF bonds described have
unquestionable legality and force as obligations OF
the State. The committee believe that retrench-
ment may be effected, and that 1t is the shortest
avenue Of escape from our financial diticulties
Less than $780, 90 in gold will pay the interest on
the funded debt Sl 600 should deray the interest
and all expenses The committee recommend the
adoption OF the following


b Ts % il the s OF sf % Ss s
sioners report s valid debt and the honor and funds
SsS,ssS Thst plan oi ths pasc
aeDS by tfe oe to the
Rsoissd Thain order to complete the examination of
be to send sub to New YORK with
the proposed negotiations for the adjustment of the
Resoived, That the Governor is hereby requested to
review the various expenditures and his authority
ability in every and that be ss
to
osston s TO the


The resolutions were unanimously adopted.


The committee OF eleven made report OF the in
terview with the Governor, the substance OF which
is as follows:-To recaptuate, your committee
himself to the following propositions:-


First; That he signed no other bonds than those
set forth in the debt statement made by the Comp
troller G neral and that there has been frau Id
lent or illegal issues.


elective and appointed, have been unnecessarily
multiplied, and should be reduced in number.


ministraton OF justice have been Incompetent and
inaccessible to the people, and that the many dis
by this cause, and that he will replace them with
| competent persons whenever ne can do so.


tenn Of voting and minority representation, and
would be glad to see it made part OF the law OF


Fifth. That the election laws are defective and
| lead TO fraud and should be materially amended,
and that he will exercise his influence to that end
Sixth. That he would have the collection of the
taxes next November postponed until the first OF
March, 1872, and not enforce the penalty for nom
Finally, the committee recommended the follow
ing suggestions:-The Legislature ensuring the full
pesi Of the acts @ granting exclusive @ franchses
stop to be put. to the drawing OF money from the


for alleged the





the Senate; and that all appropriations
and bills ought to specify the items
under each general head the reduction of the num-
ber of the State and county officers; the enactment
of law limiting each session of the Legislature
thirty days, repeal the law giving salary OF s25OO to
the Adjutant General tosgive each public oficer
but one salary, and to abolish the commission to
| codify the laws.


The report was adopted.


The convention then resolved itself a committee
of the whole. General Chestnut in the chair. Reso-
lutions OF thanks to the presiding officer and also
TO Governor Scott and State Officers, were passed.
The committee rose, and President Porter returned
thanks and said that he need not be ashamed of
| the convention.


The results would speak and appeal to the coun-
| try, and II the Executive Committee continue TO
act in the same spirit and avoid Federal and State
politics, and simply welcome to our ranks men who
| p oppose to do good, who advocate wholesome laws,
| lust administration of the public funds and honest
officials, It will accomplish the great object OF the
| people In peace.


deTstandlng and inauguIa ate period of better feel
ing and better conduct OF public AFFAIRS The con-
vention adjourned sine die subject to the call OF the
Executive Committee.