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BY E. B. M?KRA7T & CO. ANDERSON, S. C., THURSDAY MORNING, M?B?lT?ir?ii? - " ? _^----^____- _ / VOLtJME XV.-NO: 3T" JL'O? 'Xiit? JfJBOPLB OF AHIiEBSOS CfcHTSTv: Ia October, 1872, at a timo of great excitement, anxiety and fear in political affairs,' you descaed it Sroper to elect me a member of the [ouse of Representatives cf thia Stale; and when roy term expired in 187??.- you still further promoted ine by electing rae bo the Renate for a term of four years. : i?uring ray canvasses I mad? cr,-tain pledges looking to a reform tn the aurainis tratioa of our Slate., government; and I now propose as briefly es poa* siblo to render an account of ray stewardship, that you may determine how TAT and in what manner 1 carried out and redeemed those pledges. . I feel it due* myself and ray family, and the voters of both parties, who supported me, and es pecially those who voted for rae notwithstanding they differed from me politically, to make this exposi tion. Tho delay in issuing, this ad dress can be readily and satisfactorily explained. Up *>j Mic expiration of my term ?s ?enat?r I waa constantly and actively engaged in performing duties assigned mo as Chairman of the Committee to Investigate Frauds against the State. I felt some deli cacy in addressing you immediately preceding the election in 1878, as it might baye been charged that I desired re-election to the Senate or some further prcmction. After that election and before I could have prepared this paper a resolution was introduced in the Senate by one of h o Republican Senators^and adopted bv that body, nnnnintlnc- a Commit tee to investigate the note and con duct of tho previous Investigating Committee, of which ? I had .Seen Chairman. To have published an v communication personal to myself in advance of their investigations and conclusions would have been premature and indelicate. This Committee, after continuing in ex istence for more than twelve months, m?de their report some three months since, vindicating my acts and con duct in tho fullest and most satisfac tory mannen and the time has now arrived when I can properly ?prend before the people in the most public rao?ner ray acts and efforts to secure an honest and economical adminis tration of nfftdrsin South Carolina. At the outset, permit me to declare that ray object is not political, or for the purpoeo of soliciting votes;' as I am not, at:d wi" not be ?s-ie? ?sf cir cumstances, a candidate for your suffrages at the coming election. To explain ray public actj for the term of six years, even as brieny os possible, will necessarily occupy much space, and must seeds have reference to the general legislation before and during that period, and tho effests ?Ed results thereoi upon the political arid financial condition o? tho State. That I maj be fully and fairly understood, J shall refer to tho Acts and Journale of tho General Assarably, giving dates and pages, and with some confidence trust that the Dein ocratio clubs of this County-^wht in 1876 censured rae without a hear ing, and condemned toe unjustly bj refusing to investigate ray acU through their own representat!vet when demanded by rae-will, al their leisure, compare my state 'silents and pledges made whilst t candidate with tbs Acts and Jour nab herein referred to, ?nd decid? KSS^fuI ?Q ino trusts imposed and prom .1 take great pleasure in a ck no wi edging that efficient assistance wa rendered me by men of both politi cal parties; and, ere I close, 1 sha! . endeavor to give full credit to ?>\ who aided me, for J. feel deep! grateful to them for Their counsel votes and assistance,. which on couraged mo to persist in tiSorts a times when it seemed ' impossible t succeed. My first and great object waa th restoration of the State from a cot ditipii of anarchy, confusion au dtotress, arising from bad, rocklee tfnd corrupt ?sglslal?oivto ono ? corresponding peace, economy an prosperity. I confesa th A? ?. hoi estly desired to aceoriplish th through the bctrurnentaiity of th Republican party. This waa b( natural,,arid will bc understood an apprecifttod, I faust, before the dei V; ol thia address. .. A bf??f reference will be made I Sl$/?Mtne of tho evils and corruptiot Sf?;v/^bi?h ?? ted in the State goven illcDw- trevina iu.r JgpF.rcredti, -?? resources, and endnote i?g the. supremacy of tho Ropub! caa party in this State. gf|?' , I think, it proper afc this place *VP refer to tho pledges and platfor :iiioounoevl by rae when & candidat Thai I woola itaad - br STOTT print?j aot of thereat Na?onsf BnifiWc par*/, and, in order that;ail mit?t wdew&i I niMHt) m'yikir to wars for. and Totsftr t ' perpetuity ?Vtho trtX*. principles laid down .tnoi>l3ironuof'.h?aation?lliepabllcri!iMr i nat tho legl?lnilT6 Utaobsat fuouU iodated to tho ?laallMt iranibor necoawry . > thtprcpsreosduetof business. . . . A<WtU4 Dis? oU leeialstiro ?xpta - should kn paid oaly apo? APpropriaUOBf. ? forth the amount, io whom to bo paid, o i6t what purp?*?. , . , Th-t l?rto appropriations ?hoold riot ?a?o for contln*ofit ea pens** of is? Bsa aaA-Hotee; ft?a that ?ll ?se? Booonntoshoi hs ort rited ?uni laid on. .tho d?*?ts of tb s fc?ai {ort ??4 membirtf feefoto bein* acasldsr? iS^OTa?l? 0fC?t^wo?into'o w'ttoavTOT practical, as? thas m*j ehouia 11? allowed, to eoutrsot io excess of amount* levied and s.pp?oprwtcd. That tho publlo; prlnUug rhould ?e? given to th* lowert responsible bidder, and both hou*c? should Uko Sm wed.atc alena to ??cur? tbU. aad m looter alla? two mea to contract with themselves for any amount they chose sad autllt aad approve tholr own account?. ! A radical ab?se?Ha th? manner vi levying ta? tax??, statins that if the then mode wa? persisted in oar people would be driven from their homet to another ooantry. , . , I favored fte? schools and tba ?uncaUoo of th? mc?c?, and advocated th* i-*Jvb!nmu\?nt of a tho.-cugh aad efficient system of publie instruction that would enable ?very child In tao SUte to attend school. . . ?, ? . I opposed tho payment of th? ioUrestou tn* State dobt In gold. , I took the position that th? Acts increasing th? State debt had been - psssed by fraud and forxrsudultmt purr, wes, and favored the debt being scaled to th? amount r?cognix?d by tho Taxpayers' Convention, but, if thocoisUcgoney shonld ari??, vronld vote for tho total re?adl . Atjoa of th? fraud <-!'at debt Fr.rorodmtaonor representation. I favored the r-vbllcnlion of tho xccelpU ?nd disburvenients o> the Stat? Treasurer as often as accessary for th? proper information of tho people. ?odvocated the uUlleali.'.a of tho convict la ?bi ' <yD publia enterprises, convicts to bp care fully gn ard od by ?ooh necessary laws and ttrin - tent rule? and reaalations M would be condo elvo to their reformation, good health aaa humano treatment. Opnosad tb? orsaaUatian ?nd arming of thc militia, for the reason that it bad proved to bo OBS of tua prime caarcs of troubla in toe up per Counties. That although I was interested in BlueRldgo scrip, I was willing to abide th? . decision of tho Courts. Hut should it com? before the L?gislature, I rrould l>e found represonting the interests of thu people agaton iupaynnnt. Tho law shonld forbid any ofBoor from de positing school,. County or Court funds ontside Sha County to which moy belong, unless thara ie no bank of good standing In such County, chouid ahm require tb? Stat? Treasurer to de posit all tax money to the specific, account for which it waslovicd and collected, tb? same to bo drawn upon only in payment of specific appropriations. Should provide that na Stat?, officer should servo on any Board, Committee o;- Commission. County Commisioners ?hoold bo required to apportion the tax levied aad collected for County purposes before tba tam? ii o*tl?ied. whloh shell oon?tUuto a speciflo fund for various County ana Court purposes. Thatall State and County officers should be ejected by tho people. That Commissioners of Election should be elected by tho General As Fcmbly. Should rcqu ire State ofiiccrs to mnko their reports withia tln>? days after tho Gen eral Assembly shall hava met, on pain of in stant' removal from office. Pr?vido that no Governor, Statu officer or Judgo shall bu ab sent from his post, excom In var* tar* ?nd ??3 ctai casos, or by leave o' tho Legislature. I aleo favored tho following amend ments being riade to the Constitu tion: .'CojsatUution should doflno more clearly tho ps * and duties oi Lieutenant Governor. "Obtaining one office for thepnrposo of com manding tho approach to thc other Phould bo discouraged- It should bc provided that nu pentou holding office shall be cliylblo for any other nfllco Unrinir tho lorm forwhioh he was elected. . "Pr?vido that tho Governor may voro certain Sections of ?ny Bill for tho expenditure of money or tho creation of a dobt whllo approv ing the rest. Prevent tho General Assembly it?m pass ing any local or special Uw that cnn be provided for by a gonoral law or where tho Courts arc competent to grant tho relief ashed for. "Bcqnire that taxes shall bo uniform upon tho samo cla?s of property or Bubje.-.t, but al low tho Legislature to zu.thorizo a tax by li cense on peddlers, auctioneers, broker*, mer chants, professions, ohomuen, liquor dealers, toll bridrccs nnd ferries, insurance companies, tejc.p-nph ucd cxproes offices, railroad interest or business, traveling agents or. venders, and all persons or corporaUons owning or using franchises, otc. , "Tho ri&ht of suffrage should oe adequately protected. Pi-ovldo that each County ehall bo represented ia proportion io tho ra'io of votes eatnally rw.ll.yt ot ?ts a?EiUf.???; but is Si case ahould'ruprcscntation b? allowed for any num ber of votas In excess of that ?nowa by tts cen sos to bo qualified to vote. Then if, from in timidation or othor cause, thc peoplo shall fall lo ox?rcieo their duty or right to vote, thc County -will lose raprescoUUnn- ?S?! sr^ns? representation will be impossible. Restrict tha Court to two terms for ead: County annually, rosorvlng to .tho Judges tht right to call special terms tor Sessions burner; o??ly. ; . "Make the legislativo sessions biennial, anc chango the day of meeting to tho second Tues day in January," To raak? myself intelligible, ] ?.ball be obliged to tnke up the$< various subjects seriatim and to re fer to the measures I introducei Kind the legislation on each. I had scarcely been sworn in 'as t member of tho Houv? of Represent IBtives when I was impelled by f ?jpehse of duty to commence a line o opposition to tho extravagant ant reckless expepditure of tho pub'd money. On tho first day of in; first term a resolution was iutrc Vduced fixing the number of ai lachees beyond what I deemed et sential for the business of the Hons? H;I "offered an amendment reduc?a: the number to fifteen. TSeo Houi ?u?f?ni ?572-/?, page 8.] Aftc discussion tho subject was pos poned. A majority of the Reput jinan members held a caucus, bi could not agree. When the. sui j??t was recurred to, a substitu? ?'Witt offered for tho orig?D&l resolt tion, which was tabled. "?Ir. Thom] ton moved to amend by striking ot the4 word 'fifteen' and insertin 'twenty-four.' This amendment wi accepted by Mr. Cochran and thc adopted." It soon became - manifest that ample resolution would not effect tl retrenchment so much needed ar called for in the interesta of the pe pie. Tho Senate eon tinned .through i officers, to ?5C?6 pay certificates to large number of employees, and i like mannor joint certificates we issued to persons who performed i service. Tho House of Represent tives, by tho close vote of 49 to 4 increased-the-number of these et ployeea, but had up to that time di ingtheeesBion refused t?atv^?tAt demanda of the 6ergeant-at-Arn jvh? was continually calling for i increase of force. Much.time w f w?tsuitKn? au wU?j Kriy??ty?v:iiV^ivw.i^7?i au?ih demanda, annoying to nd cc ficicutioua members sod to the gri v?nense and : detriment of the ti - *yero. Todtithe subject part jdstioe,>I give a sp^c?m?n o? t refto?utioBO :.?roduced providing ; an increase of the nufnbei of c ployees of iho House, which, to casual observes", seemed cm ita fi to bs innocent and harmless,.! was in reality full of danger and viting corruption ; ' "J?tfolvtd. That th? Speaker bf-thU He ie hotibv eathoriiod and repaired to lt pay cerUCettts tn amsanuj of 5103 each to parsons who performed la tar tn the lloasc This resolution was paeeed on day of Adjournment, amidst haste and confusion incident tbe? tJndeif th's rceolutton, certifies wore issued in tba names of m than one hundred persona. " My first effort in this direction waa not entirely successful. The General Assembly wan con vened in extra session October 21st, 1873. 8000 after ?unetnbling I pre sented "A Bill to regulate thb num ber of subordinate officers, attach?es, ftc." [Seo House Journal, pag*i 71.] This Bill was defeated by the oppo nents of honest government and true reform. Not V discouraged thereby,. when tho Legislate *?*> con vened in regular,session immedi ately following the extra steeicn. I introduced a second "Bill to regu lato the number and pay of officers,, attach?es, clerks r. nd laborers of the General Assembly, and to provide the manner of electing, appointing and paying the sams." > [Bed House Journal 1873-^74, page 233.3 To facilitate the consideration and pas sage cf this Bill I managed to have it referred to a Committee of which I was a member; and in a few days it was reported on favorably, and finally passed both houses, and was approved by Govern or Moses, March 17tb,1874. The beneficial results of this Act will appear forcibly by reference to its provisions* Tho number of officers, clerks, attach?es, &c, wi1 fixed ; their duties and pay prescribed ; that such number should never be increased except by Act or Joint Resolution; that a list of all such persons should be furnished the State Treasurer, that their names and the amount due each should appear in the appropriation bills; and that no pay certificate should be paid by tho State Treasurer ex cept ?B3UCU in conformity with the provisions of this Act. This Act was continued in force until a sub s?quent Act was passed in 1877, and was never to any manner evaded or violated by the legislative officers during the administration of Gover nor Chamberlain, which succeeded its passage. To show the practical benefits effected by this measure I submit thefallowing facts and figures. For four years previous to its passage the seasons averaged about ono hundred days each. Arer?fo expenso incurred each sei - eton for attach?e?..-..4170JDOO 00 Avornge amount inoarred oash ses sion under now Act..........>.29,200 W Amountsaved annually to tbeSUto.tH0.600 03 To further illustrate : For four terras previous to tho ap proval of this Act tho oxpcneea incurred per day for attach?es 1 overused thocnormausaniountof. tl,700 00 i Under new Act per day....." 292 00 ., Amount saved to the State nor dav- S1.4".a'G0 -'. The records prove that for several ' years preveis to tho enactment of ! th-s law, certificates were issued on an average in tho name of six hud* ' dred and twenty-five persons as at' > (Achees of ibo' General Assembly; ; linde? this Act, and whilst the Rc publicans had control after its pas sage, tho number ,was reduced to fifty-seven persono, showing a de crease in number and consequent expense of five hundred nnd sixty nine persons per sessioi. Governor Chamberlain in his first inaugural address, December 1st j 1874, refers to this Act at follows : "The second measure of retrenebmont in legislative ey.pcnses which I nrse ia a roano- j tion of tho number of subordinate offlcotfl and attach?e* of the General.Assembly. Upon this point I am happy to ?peak in commenda tion of an Act passed by' the last uoscral As sembly. By that Act the total number of subordinate officers ami attached In both branobos of the General Assombly in limited to fifty-?ovon. I treat your, attention will be ciTvi to this subject, and that If, upon exami nation, tho number therein provided for is found to be the lowest number consistent with the proper transaction of bowness, tho law will remain undisturbed." After my election to the Senate, T folf iiAr?M**vn^l tliC CXjpCZsvw? incurred for attach?es wore still too large and should je reduced. As shown by Senate Journal, session 1876, pago 46,1 introduced ??A Bill to/ further reduce tho number of attach?es",-Ac.',.of* the General As sembly?' Thia Bill not having Jbeen reported upon, I offered still another, entitled "A Bill to further reduce the number and regulate the {' tay of officers, attach?es, clerks and snorers of the General Assembly, and to T.rovido the manner of elect ing* rppointrag and paying the emu ti ' [See Senate Journal extra session 1877, pago 13.] This Bill was referred to tho Committee on Reform ?nd Retrenchments, of which I waa.Chairman. It was re ported back favorably, received three readings in each" house, and was approved by Governor Hamp ton, June 9th, 1877. This Act re duccd the number from fifty-seven to thirty-seven, ft also reduced the daily expenses for attach?es from $202 to *cw tnan $?2o, thus saving more than 8150 per day during tho time the General Assembly was in session. To further illustrate : 187? WT* ..."...V20.OT og .Oort pe? '.?salon ender Act of 18T7,- 7,185 00 Amount saved per session...;f22.015 00 I do not claim that the Act alone brought about the fbll reduction of ,$22,610; the Democracy ?ince their ad veut into power aided materially in this reform by adhering to short sessions--although at the session-of 1879 it *T53 found ncccuwtry on thia account to increase tho number of attaches five. iKQlSLATIVB EXPENSES. As following appropriately the legislation in regard to the pay of attach?es,-finployees and clerks, &c., t will briely allude to ray act>oa ia regaid to bsheiexpcnsfss of tho Gen eral Assembly. I snail only refer to a few instances where, in the dis charge of my duty, I opposed ex travagant legislation, deeming' it unnecessary to cito all such ; acta ; and shall quote from tho Journals : first, (House Journal, page 179, ses sion 1873,) which shows in what estimation I held the then prevalent Srsteru of granting a grr tuity to the peaker: "On th? voto of thank ? to Ibo Sre.Jtor of tho HOU?? of Representatives wo voted 'no,' on account oftBO extra pay contained in ther**? lotion. Wo favor the remainder of the reso lution, and Join with tito Konto in thankln? the Breaker for toe ocart#oui manner in which he hu discharf ed th? arduous dattes of hui offlcj. ? "3. w. LOWM?: On a resolution to pay Rev. David Harris a gratuity of $500 aa Chap lain of the Senate, session 1874-75, [Senate Jorros!, page 709,] I moved to Btrike out the resolving clause, and'called for the yeas'dad May?, and succeeded in defeating the reso lution. J Although under the specific levy incidental legislativo expenses had been reduced to a sm-^1 sum in com piriso? with amount so expended m previous years, ueverthOcsa I in sisted on having that amount hon estly applied and accounted for; nud for that purpose [Senate Journal, 8essi?n 1874-75, pago 107,] I offered the following amendment to the ap propriation Bill, which was adopted, the accounts referred to in amend ment being Senate and- House con tingent expenses: ," Mr. COCHRAN mored that Seettonl be fur ther amonded. in lino SS, printed Bill, by In iertlnct after tho word body,' tho words "all accounts, arter boin? to audited, shall bo item ised, printed and laid on ibo desks of the members of tho Senate for inspection and ap proval.'" DISBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS. There is no principle, in the man* agement of public affairs more vital and important than that there should be U proper and just levy bf taxes, and certainly an honest and faithful disbursement of the same under the laws. The gr JCS departure from these principles perhaps occasioned as much discontent, alarm and pro test on tho part of the taxpayers of the State es any other of the many abases'perpetrated. The utter care lessness and recklessness of State officers contracting iu many ways obligations in excess of appropria tiona, County Commissioner?: incur ring expenses and debts beyond the amounts levied and collected for County purposes, became evils cell ing loudly for redress. By theso ___lui_a_A?_. j_t,?_c iL . D,.i. uv?ii? tuu uusiiiug ucuio w mc oiaw and of many of the Counties were largely increased, and the good name and credit of the State much impaired and bid fair to become totally ruined. For instance, the General Assembly in ono year incurred a liability of uearly ono quarter of a million of dollars for incidental expenses in ex cess of current appropriation? for Buch purpose* Many of the Coun ties became involved far beyond their ability to joayv Just and legal claims against ?'ha Stat* nnd Coun ties were hawked about and sold j shamefully below their face value, to the great detriment of pnblio credit and entailing serionuloss upon many officers who were endeavoring to" do their duty faithfully. Agents of State ??ad County officials wera in the market purchasing tho most doubtful and worthless of these claims, because they could *.uy them at the lowest prices and have them immediately paid at their face value by State and County Treasurers in terested in tho spoils, leaving unpaid lawful and meritorious claims which the taxes hod been levied and col lected for the purpose Of paving, in order to buy them at ruinous dis counts in the future. 8pecial taxes were being levied in a largo number of Counties and absorbed in like manne?. To suppress and remedy these glaring irregularities, frauds and acts of injustice, I sub mitted "A Bill [See House Journal 1873-74, page 240,] to reg?ate tho manner in which public funds shall bc disbursed by pub?.b officers." This Bill became'an Act and was approved by Governor Moses, March 17, 1874.. lt provides "that it shall be unlawful for say public officer, State or County j authorized by law nu to contract, to enter into or con tract for any purpose whatsoever in a sum in excess of the tax levied or tho amount appropriated for the ac complishment of such purpose;" also "that it shall be unlawful for ajSY .tmhlifl ofTl^?r fitnta Qr fiannlw. to divert cr appropriate tho funds arising from any tax levied and col lected for any one fiscal year to tho payment, of'any indebtedness con tMmiYul fnr tLxxv asAvioua fiscal YG&V." The violation *of any of tho pro-1 visions of this Act was H??tdo a felony, punishable by heavy fine and im prisonment in tho Penitentiary. Tho adoption of this Act effectually checked tho substitution of old claims in place of those incurred for the legitimate expense of the fiscal year in which the tax was collected, pre vented generally the Counties from being further involved in linc?eos bary debt, and to a ?'rest estent sup pressed and stopped the speculation in State and County claims by of ficials and their miserable ?gents and underlings, and. very materially, in oouaection with other Acts suggested and introduced by me, aided m com ing back to an hoseot administration of our publie financial affaira. One comparison relativo to this legisla tion will suffice. For four yours previous to tho paarige of this Act tho General A?ssmb'iy appropriated, as near ss can be ascertained, (after deducUng tho amounts due members and attach?es from the amount ap propriated) two hundred thousand dollars for incidental expenses, whilst tho expenses incurred by the officer? of the two lupuses, and for which State ; paper wa* issued, amounted to cine hundred thousand dollar?, or seven hundred thousand dollnu in excess or* tho amount ap propriated, a .'.'urge proportion of which was paid. After tho passage of this Act appropriations for inci dental expenses^ mido by the Repub lican administration wnich followed, for two years amounted in the aggre gate to about twenty-five thousand dollars. Now, I challenge any one to produce any paper issued or con tracts made in excess of the amount BO appropriated.'? It is true County Commissioners in some Counties overlooked or disregarded the plain provisions of the law, but they were promptly ?ried, convicted and sent to the Penitentiary. Before this Bill was considered by the Senate, and being apprehensive that it might not pass, I introduced tho following amendments to the Appropriation and Supply Bills. [House Journal 1878-74, pages 824 and 425.] Henee, if the Bul had failed to pass, these amendments' to the Appropriation and Supply Bille, as adopted, would have, in some measure, alleviated .and remedied the evils complained of. AMENDMENT TO APPEOPBIATlOIi BILE. " On motion of Mr. Cochran, tho Bill was intended by addles; the foUowiae aa Sec tions: . '''??-.'O' . V 'SacTiOM 8. Tb? money appropriated ln8eo iiou'Jof thu Act ?hall not be paid ont except Ibv fizpeora ?BUUJ?H? ??rln* tba fiscal y par sota monolon November 1st, 1873, and ending October 31, mi-, uud lt ts hereby mads a felony Quo and imprisonment, ?.t tba dian rction of tho Court, not to exceed ave thou*tad dollars' dna, nor exceed tn o years' Imprlsi ument/ " AMENDMENT TO SUPPLY BILE. " Mr. Cochran moved to amend Section 8 by ?triking out tho word 'thereof,' and inserting 'and lt is hereby mad? tho duty of thoCouuty Treasurers ts keep tho funds raised by tho levy mad? in this Sealion separate aad apart from all cr?or fund*, ntd they aro heroby fot biddea to pay out say porUon vt the carno ex cept for County exposs** Incurred during tho Bacal year for which it is levied and collected, or for some subsequent fiscal year, and th* County Comml?slonor* wehcrcby forbidden to druw any warrant contrary to tho provisions herein provided for or contract in exoesa of tho levy heroin made.' Adopted." Governor Chamberlain referred to A?- - 1_.-Jk _S'il_il_/~1_ MJ"3 l u JJ ru vc w cuuuitiuu ut wcvnmu Uef yatfer t?e cps-etSea cf thia Act ss follows: "I am glad to express the belief that tho financial condition ot many of thi Counties of the State has been greatly improved danna* the past year. Ia general, ? think the fenner habit* of extravfigaaco and fraud lu County affair* have boen corrected." PUBLIC PB?KT?NO. As Chairman of the. Joint Com mittee for the Investigation of Frauds, &o.,I have in the most par ticular and emphatic manner ex posed and held up for condemnation the wicked and nefarious frauds committed under the head of pub*; lie printing; but as that report may not have been seen and read by a largo portion of the people of the County, I propose here to advert to Borne few of the leading and salient features of this outrageous fraud, styled the Republican Printing Com pany ,nnd to recapitulate some of the means and bold artifices by. which the people of thies State were for years systematically robbed and plundered, and the efforts! m?is in the General Assembly to correct j and forever prevent a rcpetitic-s cf such abuses. I think I can truth* fillip affirm that in every manner possible within my capacity, as a member of tho General Assembly, I did oppose, and at last succeeded, with the aid of others, in breaking down and destroying this unscrupu lous, though powerful, combination. By referring to House Journal, sear sion of 1872-73, pago 117, when it was proposed by joint resolution, at one fell swoop, to appropriate 0250, 000 for publie printing, my vote, with the votes of twenty-four others, will be found recorded against such appropriation. But, an subsequently proven, the sum of $41,269 was paid to various members for their votes. All opposition Was futile and the appropri > non wes made. Again, during the speqial session of 1878, this printing ring presented another Bili appropriating $231,000 for pub lic printing, which I also opposed; ?<2d by exasiseiies sf tbs House Journal from pages 142 to 144 ray vote will be fouud in tho negative ia every stage of its paattg?. Those of ua who voted against ita passage felt some ca;fidanca in defiuittno; it, but upon a- call of the yeas and nays tho vote stood 48 in favor io 40 in the negative, After this first vote tho ?opponents of the Bill lost -ground steadily, and it was finally passed, 68# to 26, notwith standing the efforts made by Messrs. Meetzo, Crittenden and others, who united in the endawc- to defeat this monstrous appropriation. By proof it ha? been shown since that the au m of 336,500 was used on that occasion to eecure its pass age through the Houne, and proved more potent! si in favor of the fraud than all our efforts against it. Going back to regular ' session of 1872-73, [ees House Journal, page 360 J it will be seen that when the Appropriation Bill ww under |t consideration and a Section provid-11 log that $30,000 should bo applied for printing Auditors' bianka, sta tionery, &?., ?Sw., was being voted on, I offered the following amend* ment: "To amend Section 4 by striking out '-330,000 ' and inserting '$10,000. ' to be drawn on tie warraut of tho Comptroller General,.-coun tersigned by the Governor and Treasurer," which amendment was adopted. During the sp?cial ses sion bf 1878 I mcde another effort " to regulate the public printing in this Stated by introducing a Bill for the purpose. [See House Jour aul, page 62/) This Sill provided for tho printing to bo giveu to the lowest responsible bidder, au? re pealed all laws providing for the Sublication of the Ao'a of the ionerai Assembly in newspapers. During the some session I sub mitted the plan of levying taxes for specific purposes, known cow as the specific tax levy. This Act being, in its beneficent results, most impor tant in correcting manifest abuses, I will again refer to it uuder its par ticular and appropriate head. It was nv, honest belief then that if the representatives of tho people could be made responsible by the levy of a direct tax for printing, they would be awakened to a .proper oense of their danger, and would surely pause and reflect before allow ing suoh an iniquitous burden tb bo placed on their constituents. I sub mit, and tho record? will make good the assertion, that the specific tax levy, introduced by myself, was the first effectual blow the printing ring received. Aller tho adoption of this system hundreds and thousands of dollars could no longer bo used to secure the passage of large appro priation bills, as tho levy would not admit of such expenditure and leave the ring with any money on baud; and as the money raised for other purposes could not be applied to printing, as had. been the custom before, they were deprived of tho enormous sums of money with which to purchase votes; hence their influ ence and power rapidly shrunk away, and tho very men who had heretofore voted for and advocated these dishonest measures, when faced by the dangers before them, turned their backs upon their former friends and associates and became their moBtncisy t?nd zealous opponents ow ali occasions. The first opeeifio lovy Act was approved December 22, 1878; this was before the Act regulating the publie printing was introduced, and threo manilla bef ore (he Act tcaepanted. This Act levied a tax for the fiscal year commencing November 1st, 1878, and Sectiou 5 provided that a tax of one roil? should be levied for printing. This was enormous, but it was te pay in part certain defici encies claimed to be due tho Repub lican Printing Company and for p appropriations thereiu made. A 1; comparison, however, of the three o years previous to tho adoption of t( this system of sp?cifie levy, in regard QI to the cost of public printing, will speak "moro forcibly than the strong- tl cst language from me. The avers ?o a oust o? public printing for those n three years was more than 8300,000 \ per annum? Under the first sp?cifie 8 levy it could not exceed $150,000, 6 which included appropriations for deficiencies then existing, and, with ! ? this amount included, was a clear j el gain to the State of &1CO.O0? .perU1 ?OTiuni. 'il The great and manifest results nf this ?vstem of levy did not cud here, ? es I shall endeavor to show. Before the Bill to regulate the public print ing became a law a second levy, specifically, for printing expenses, was made for the fiscal year com mencing November let, 1874, which was approved by Governor Moses, March 14th, 1874. This levy was only for one-third of ono mill, esti mated to produce fifty thousand dollars, or 9250,000 less per annum than it had cost the State previous to the adoption of this system. By this time members were ripe on the subject of reducing the estimates and taxes for the public printing, brought about by this system of specific levy. The following table will show the Intuit in dollars and cents : For throo years previous to UiU Act tho avertie*, cost of printing per rn nura ?as.?.$300,000 UnderspocJoo le?y,iorUsroa ycars,tb? xciaio wsi per Bir?um WM....... oi.uu? Annual redaction....4210,0(0 Although this much had been accomplished I did not relinquish my efiorts to reduce expenditures to proper limits. Os House J?wH??? 1873-74, paga S85, it will'appear that I introduced a Joint Resolution to amend the State Constitution, Article IX, Section 3, which amend ment provided that tho free school tax should not be less than two mills on the dollar of taxablo property, and that the levy for priuting fchoiifd never exceed one-half of one mill for any o?o fiscal year. My idew was that by joining the free school t\x and priuting together tho solid yoto of the colored members would be seemed in support of both propo sitions. But in this ? was mistaken, as a ^o-thirds vote was not obtained. A majority of the Democratic mem bers, representing mainly the tax-] I payers did support it-among othor i ir n B) rt rx bi a B m C tl fe rf J w tl bl ct cc ct Ol B h SI ol fe rt P? ec ci rc dj C U S tc ?asoaa tba* property holders might a She future have a deg?*eo of pro* oct ion from the rapacity of the ^publican Printing (?otupapy. iVhen one leeka baok und comparco he past with the present it stems' Inmost mored.-b'e that the natural ypresentativea pf the taxpayers hould have tolerated or agreed to he levy Of sach a tax for printing. rTet it forcibly and lamentably emotifstratcs the ead condition of he ?>. ?te of South Carolina at that ?me, nud tho apprehension on the . |M art of the Democrat? of the return f tho power and control cf this 'rioting Osripany. By reference to House Journal, ?sion 1873-74, page 21?, you will ie that I still continued in tho ne of my previous policy. I of ?red two Billa to regulate tho ublic printing. I again felt con dent of sucoess, as many other ?embers were diligently w?g??? oleutleas war upon this Printing iompany. Both Bills had the samo bjccts and designs, viz.,a reduction f the expenses for printing. Mr. leetJse, Mr. Bowen, Mr. Crittenden ?:? od others assaulted tho ring at icry weak point. Among other lings they cherged that tho Re ubiican Printing Company would ot employ colored compositors. A , ommittee was appointed to investi ste the several charges. In their sport, among other things, they ?commended the passage ot "A Bill roviding that the contract for print ig bo awardocl to the lowest bidder, ot to exceed fill-? thousand dollars er annum, and th\t such contractor tould employ com rsisitors without ?gard to race or col .r.;' Tho Com dttee on Printing failing to report lok any of the Bills referred to lem, and also failing ' v report a ill in accordance with . ?Q r?enm- ? cndatinn of said Committee, Mr. rittenden moved that the report of io Committee referred to hereto* re, and all Bills now pending, bo ferred to the Comwttteo on tho ad iola ry, with instructions to report ithin five days "a Bill for letting ie public printing to the. lowest ''-^^^ idder at an annual cost not to ex ied fifty thousand dollars, and such . mtrnctor to be bound to employ impostors without regard to ?ac? r colpr." This motton prevailed, y this time the ring was complete rs demoralised. By reason of tho leoifin levy their supplies were cut f, it being in that. Act .tunde a 3o??y *c ?i5??c?s sty of; ihk iieod for other purposes to that of fluting,, their frionas daily desert- . i them, and filially they euc* imbed to the inevitable facts and ?g?ito befove them, On the 11th if of Febiuary, 1874, Mr. Meetzc, hairman nf the Judiciary Commit ?, reportetV- t,A Bill regulating tho ublio printing,1' embracing most of i0yrov?8?ri'.V*t set foVth by Mr. Crit-i mden in hu? resolution. Thia Bill assed and was ratified March 17, B74, tho ring preferring it to cither f those introduced by mo, aa mine >ok the entire control of tho matter ut of their banda. After ray election to thc Senate, l? House of Representatives passed second printing Bill as recom lended by Governor Chamberlain. Vhon under consideration in. tho " onoto Tsee Senate Journal,' page 413: .''.On motion of Mr. COCHRA?.'. ??JJ?:? s a* ?mondea ny tho addttica of tho ??ii t?^wf'. .'-?"?5i? ?>u Bvuirtvn oe a wara c d to rosed the sum of forty thod8.-t.nd dollars for 1 tho jprintinjr end bindlnit of tho Utatr^i sports tho s?wi??Tcr depanmento or tho 'ato 8ovcrnm?nt.' " This amendment fixed the aggre at? cost of printing at ten thousand ol lars less per annum / an under J lie Act then in fore* Although tie Bill passed in this ibape, it ever became a law, the {aerates of conorny and th?' frien?s' of the rioting company having managed j prevent its reaching the Governor >r approval. Again, at the regular session of 8TCI introduced "A Bill to pro (de for and regulato the public rioting." [See Senate Jburnal 87?, pago 102.] Th! j Bill passed be Senato at the special session of 877. By tbs Kouw it was arriended i eover?i particulars, many of tho estrictiouE 4h/o|?n around tho raan geraent of the printing being trscken out as ' ?lot necessary rider tho changed .administra [ottV This Act was approved by ?-?2LJ_" ?ri_T__ a.L ,i>n? . iu>crin/r uaujnuu, unira uni, i ul .-. Jnder this Act, the printing by entreat with the State Filatera, less rs. Calvo & Patton, has cost an ujlly the small amount of .811.800: ;' er annum, or C3S.104 i er..- than ?past undor the Chamberlain ad iinistration. Tho .-mount paid felvo & Patton includes th? prhit ig of 0,000 copies of the report of tte.; Committee on Public Frauds, sprinting tho Aots of 1873-4 and ; t juting- the index to the XVth Hufcute*-en euormoua quantity of xtra work not entering' into tho ?tinting accounts of any previous cara. The average cost of printing, ?ot Including extra work, has been istween six and seven thousand do! nra per ann?tm. And whilst it might >s elaiEsed that th? abort sessions ended to thus lessen the expense, I .rn satisfied that they havo per brnaed aa saudi work as waa for aerly don? fit a cost of ?00,000,