Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1578. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 12, 1871. EIGHT DOLLARS A YEAR. A TALK WITH GOV. SCOTT. HIS VIEWS ON O CR FINANCIAL AND GENERAL CONDITION. He Declares that the State Debt has been Grossly Exaggerated-KUnp ton's AI odas Operandi--The Whole Debt Less than Eight Millions-What he Says about the Taxes-The People Pay? ing' Promptly-A b o n t the Sterling Loan-Thc Governor's Virtnons Re? solve-He Favors thc May Convention -His Views on Pol?tica, Retorta? and the Ku-Klux-Hts Policy for the F? tstre. The presence of his Excellency, Governor Scott, in Charleston, enables us to present to our readers a semi-official r?sum? ol' his views on several subjects, by which the public mind hos of late been agitated, and concerning which his statements possess, at this time, a peculiar interest. The" privilege of an inter? view with him was freely granted, and the in? terview itself waa unconstrained. The language of his Excellency, as given below, ls almost ver? batim, and the freedom with which it was spoken,, indicates that all of the questions treated have been thoughtfully considered. After some general remarks, the conversation proceeded as follows: THE STATE DEBT. Q.. Governor, you are fully aware, from the comments of the press, and the action of the JBoard ol -Trade and Chamber ol Commerce of Charleston, that the people of the State are feverish with an excitement which has gi own out of what they believe to be an oppressive taxation, an enormous Slate debt, and a cor? rupt Legislature; please state frankly your own opinions upon these matters. The Governor. I am free to say that-, in my judgment, the disturbed condition ol the pub? lic mind results lr o m a misapprehension of our financial affairs. Either with a view to lc jure the credit of the State or to achieve per? sonal objects-perhaps political in character certain individuals have sought to make lt ap? pear that the State debt has been largely in? creased by the present administration. Such is not the fast, and I propose to show the why and wherefore. First, the act of the Legisla? ture of I8CS authorized the run ding ol the bills of the Bank; of the State Into State b ais. That I do not regard as an Increase of the debt, but merely as a change ta the form ol an old debt, the courts- having decided that , the State vas unquestionably liable for these bills. So much, ihen, la-not chargeable to this administration. Secondly, in the reor? ganization of the government, it was ascertain? ed teat a large amount of past due interest and other elatina had .accumulated and were. un? paid. Totneet these obligations the Le gi st? un e authorized the Issue of a million ol bones. It will be'sees, by reiere'nee to lae law. bow tbcoo bonds were to be negotiated. Thirdly, a debt existed which had been created by the issue of bills receivable Immediately after the war. They, too. had to be provided for, or "rather, retired, and aa additional Issue pf five hundred thousand dollars' Worth of bonds Sena m?de for this purpose: Fourthly, IL was as? certained, during the regular session of 1868-'69, that even with this assistant*, it .was., impossible.. at ?. the lor,- price at whian the bonds were selling, to meet the liabUHtes which existed-debts, by the way, Oat had not been created by this admin? istration*.'Tile Issue "of'a muiron more of ..bonds waa, therefore,- authorized, rot the re? lief of the treasaxy. _ iTbe sum total was then two million five hundred thousand dolktfs. : Finally, the act providing for the organization of the land commission called for seven hun? dred thousand dollars mote bf bonds, and thus the total issues? since 1868, amount' to three1 million two hundred thousand dollars. Now, j of these bonds, according to the last report of the financial agent, at New Tork, about one million of dollars have been placed upon the market, leaving a balance of twenty-two hun? dred thousand dollars in bis hands. Ton will -see from this statement that there ls no foun? dation whatever for the rumors which have obtained currency; and can readily under? stand why. In consequence of those rumors, our securities have | been, depressed, and the credit of the State seriously injured. Q. Sol understand you that Mr. Kimptan, the financial agtnt of the State, now fias twenty-two hundred thousand dollars In his hands'? The? Governor. Be has, amless-he has sold? an amount since his last report. In raising money lorine uses ot, the State, however, his modus operandi generally has been to hypothe? cate the bonds. . n . RAILROAD BOXDS. Q. Is not the State largely involved on ac-' ceunt of her endorsement of railroad bonds? The ?bvwrnor. the-srt'm^otal ?ol-the en? dorsements of railroad bonds by the State is about six minions and a half of dollars, in? cluding the Blue Bidge Railroad bond?, which bava not been put upon the market, and you; must bear in mind that these1 endorsements; cover a period of nearly thirty years. I do -not, however, regard the endorsements of the railroad bonds as apart of the State debt, be? cause there ls no railroad flrusTirotecteil by the State which if put In liquidation would not pay the?all?mount of the endorsement. THE-SUM TOTAL OF THE STATE DEBT. Q. What, then, ls the sum total of the debt on which thc people-have io pay taxes; And: this ls a point on which I beg that you will bel explicit.? - . .. rn The Governor. Between seven and eljrht millions of dollars-uct more. The (exact fig? ures I cannot give you, for .T^ have! sot'got them with me. We owe, besides, to tbe State, agent ""about a million ol dollars. Of th i A amount we have oh hand, 'In cash, five hun? dred thousand dollars, and when the taxes tor 1870 are collected, which is now being done, we sballTealiae more than enough to entirely, relieve ourselves from Litis debt. \ lUjn?i therefore:*lh? financial condition of the Suite Is eminently healthy, and I see no bar iir-The future to its continued good management. THE QUESTION OF TAXATION. f - Q. IFsuch ls the case, how rio you account; for rne; dissatisfaction anti the murmurs of the people ? The-Governor. :_With e^proper understand? ing of the subject-that is. taking into con? sideration the.aggregate of the three levies of tax which have been made-the people would have no cause to complain. For instance,, in 1868, there was a levy, c'f seyen and a half mills on the dollar*, .which- "irai collected in 1869; in 1869, the levy was mtfy five mills on 4he dollar-an -amount wh'efr any man who will sit down ftna figure ur the absolutely nec? essary expenses of the.Siate Government wi" see ls-lrtterly inad?quat.*. Still; for politicui rKirpoeee,' toe Legislature. T,'ns tll?tt lrrduced to fix tbJspe^nlagS, and ft perhaps had its in? fluence on the campaign; yet it was sot enough. It was, therefore, necessary to In? crease the levy for the expenses ol 1S70. Tak? ing the three years, however.'the aggregate Is only twenty-one mills and a half, which, equal? ly subdivided, woukl not make the levy BO greatly out of proportion as it? may at present j seem. It certainly furnishes no real cause lor the complaint of high taxai iou. Q. . Let me ask, in this connection, why it was arranged to have two levies of tax col? lected in one year ? * The Governor. That is net correct. We are sow collecting the tux fof 1870, and by an amendment to the tax acu it -ls proposed to Commence collection, for 1871, on the l5tb day of November next, the obj?ct being to bring tbe collection of a portion of the taxes within the year in winch they are levied. The Impor? tance of makiogthis change will be apparent to every. thoughtful man. It ls well known i hat a large portion ot the citizens ol' the Slate do not pay taxes, and that they are Improvi? dent in- the expenditure of money. Usually the product of their year's Industry comes to uiem during the Tnontus of November and 'December. .Were Hie tax books then* jopeped, .,It ia my Impression that this class ot people would pay their taxes,' and thus add to the income of the Sua e. whereas, if ttle lime is postponed to the middle oi Jan? uary or thettrst'OlFebruary, as ; huber lo, as a general rule they would "pay nothing. . In -short, I believe we shall be enabled by" this j chango, to collect two II trod r wi it?Matid Q|I lars, which, under the former arrangement, douKt not he collected at JaH. And I can see j no hardship that will be caused Dy the change, for it leaves the privilege the same as at pres ..nt ct deferring the addition ol a penalty lor non-payment ii' it i3 thought expe dient to do so. Instead of opprei toe taxpayer, therefore, lt is ? in sense a blessing to the people, for it o the door to those who have the m and are disposed to pay, during the fall, v it ls still atrthe discretion of the Executli extend th? time of the general taxpayer pays a large amount, without subjecting to the prescribed penalty. Indeed, I *am to say that the taxpayers may rest well ass there will be no more canse of complain that score in the luture than there has bee the past; for in every Instance within rn, collection, where an application has I made, the time of collection has been extei without the addition of the penalty. Q. While that is a comforting assura Goyernor, 1B lt not nevertheless true thal assessments ot vaines have been greatly e: cerated, and that property ls. frequently ts for two or three times its real worth ? The Governor. That maybe true in s instances, but I am certain it ls not the i lu all cases of excessive assessment, wi an application has been made, the matter been considered, and an abatement orde if the circumstances Justified such a cours DO THE PEOPLE PAT ? Q. Up to the present time, have the ti generally been paid promptly ? The G'overnor. I must confess that I fc been surprised at the extraordinary dlsp tlon manifested by the people in the payrr of their taxes. Even itt this moment, w triere ls apparently so much ill-feeling < cerntng the- expenditure of- public mon* citizens In an parts of the Slate are meei the demands ol the tax collector with a un ml ty and promptness which not only desei the highest praise, but favorably illustri their character as a law-abiding people, cannot blame them for desiring to know 1 these moneys are expended, and, so far as In my power, I sha .1 always afford to the p lie the information on this and other subj? to which lt is entitled. THF STERLING FT ST) BILL. Q. So much has been said about the s ling fund bill, Governor, tbat I would lik< hear your version of the matter. The Governor. . Well, it is simply tl The bill was conceived chiefly by cr< Wi3 of the State-parties interested in I stocks and bonds that are past due, and : soon to become due. Every business m knows lull well that it is impossible for state, by direct taxation, to take np th< bonds. It was therefore believed to be gc Eollcy to create a sterling loan, which coi e negotiated by the proper parties at sr prices as would Justify the exchange for 1 old, debt. And when there was incorporal In the law- a provision which barred even I possibility of adding a-dollar to the Stale d< at any time In the future without a two-thii vote of the people, It offered, In myjudgme a sufficient guarantee to the purchaser of I new bonds, that he would be protected agali new liabilities. Under "these circumstances favored the measure, said the best'Unanc men oTtffe State agreed wilh me. with onl; difference ot opinion concerning tte tai Some gentlemen of high reputaii I thought and expressed the belle! that truste ought to be appointed by law, who should charged with the negotiation of this loan. ' ! this I bad no personal objection. On the cc I trary, 1 was' aaxiens to see any-plan adopt ' that would engender confidence lu the bones of the negotiations to be made. It appeal I however, that the Legislature differed frc 'these gentlemen and myself in regard to t matter, and when the bill passed, the appoii ment of the agent was left to certain otflce of the State government, including the Exe urti ve, and to the Executive was commits the duty ' of signing the bonds before th could possibly be put upon the market. .Tl bill was signed and approved with the firm b lief that a sufficient check .was thus put upi any disposition-if such exlBted-to -give tl negotiation of the bonds into the honda of in sponsible men, who would not insure tb credit for the State which was desirable, oihef words, to the Executive .Wae left tl Sower ot refusing, absolutely, to permit ai onde to gb upon the market unless they she go ihrough the hands ot a trustworthy at competent representative of the State. Q. Do you mean to say that you, aa an ind vidual, can control the issue of these bonds I the event of a dishonest agent being a] pointed? v-.. The Governor. Yes, sir, most emphal lcall for I do not intend to sign a bond titil? ss tr banking-house selected is one entitled to ll fullest'confidence of the people. Tbe're ls r power on earth that -can compel me to c otherwise. Q. Suppose tb?t after trie sclection'of anani mg-nbdse, and the fssoe o? bonds duly signet thu financial board ?hould determine to mat A.ehaag* and select a parly who agree* to ca ry out their own plans? The Governor. In the first place, no hone banker would surrender his claim upon tl bends tor any such parp?se; and, in thesecon place, they would have to be bold and deep rate men who attempted to tamper with iL State credit for their own dishonest purpose: ' 1J. Tfl may be permitted to ask, who I your nominee as a banker, >'or the especie mangeinent of this fund ? The Governor. I have no nominee at pre; ent; but he will be a man who will Inspire cor ?deuce among the creditors and the people c tho State. In making up my niiud I shall cot suit both their wishes and interests, and 1 tee assured that the members of the board ap pointed by law to make this selection will cc operate with me in accomplishing that objeti Q. What amount is to be covered by tili funding bill ? The Governor. Just six millions of dollar; The bill provides for the issue of twelve lum dred thousand pounds sterling, but I do nc unders and that the bonds are to be used, ex cept for th?purpose set forth In the bill, ?am? ly, to take up the past doe debt of the State and debts that are'soon to become due. I di not understand chat the agent 'appointed fa the negptialion ol these bonds will have un; authority to sell a single bond except in ex change lor the purpose named. Some per sons have sought lo create the impression, io personal or political purposes, that these stell icg bonds can be put upon the market um sold, and the funds be transferred to the Stati treasury to meet the expenses of the State, o: for other objects than those referred lo. Sud ls not the case. With my consent lt suul .never be done. THE BOARD OF TRADE AND CHAMBER OK COM MERCS. . "Q. . I would like to hear your Tiews concern ingana .recent, action of me Board of Trade and Chamber ol Commerce In tills city ? The Governor. I can only say that the alie gatious made by both cl those bodies on the subjec. of the State debt, .rest on no trutliiii fouudatiOTj. These gentlemen have unquea tionab'y been misled, orthey have themselves mlsiui.'rpreie.d facts and figures, for I will not be so-Tincliariliible as to suppose that two or? ganizations representing the wealth and com? merce of Charleston have assumed such z.a ex? traordinary position lor mokely political oi partisan purposes. I have given you a full statement Of ?? the obligations due by the Slate-, ana lt ls my answer to their proceedings, Q. What has been the Influence ol' the ac? tion of the Board ol' Trade and Chamber ol Commerce on our bonds In New York and elsewhere ? The Governor... It has been decidedly perni? cious. The value of the bonds on the market has been depreciated,.and it ls more difficult than before for onr financial agent to curry the debt he has been compelled to assume. H. H. KIMPTON. Q. Why is Unnecessary that the State should be in debt to Mr. Kimpton to the amount ol a million of dollars ? The Governor. From the fact which you will understand by reference to the manner ol collecting the taxes. In other words, we have had lo spend the money and collect the taxes to pay the debt afterwards, For instance, the levy df taxe?tor 18?8 waa not made until 8ep tember ol that year. The auditors and treas? urers were unable to-prepare their books und papen- for collection unill May, 1&G9. Hence we were obliged to raise money lo pay the debts of lflBS, and most of 186?, before a dollar ol the .tax was collected. The taxes Tor 18C9 weje' not collected mm between March and July; 1870; apd now we. are in the midst of April, 1871, collecting the tax to meet expenses Incurred tor the year 1870 That is the reason why we have been obliged to borrow money through Mr. Kimpton, and hypothecate the bonds m his hands. THE MAT COMVKliTIOJfc . Q. What are your views, Governor, with reference to the approaching May Conven? tion?. ThWGovernor. I think it wm develop some Important facts which it is proper for the tax? payers more fully to understand, and, amoug others, that our debt ls not the enormous s which is charged, but simply the amoun have stated, or very nearly so, (for I have i the figures with me.) Ic will'also bring aether elements that have been kept astin from various causes, and kindle a better ft mg than has hitherto existed among the t parties in the State. Convened in the proj spirit, it may Indeed be the commen ment of that true Reform which v sought through a d?n?rent chan: a year ago, by making all classes of the p pie realize that the dread of each other ex! more In imagination than In fact; and tl gentlemen of ability and experience in Sta crail should have a lair share in the resporj ble places of the State government, whe their moderate views on all subjects whl conduce to the re-establishment of confides on the part of the taxpayers, will give assn rac that, in taking an active part in the admin tratlon of public affairs, they will' falthfu serve the interests'of the whole people. Q. Do you consider that the May Conve tion will be held In a spirit of hostility to y and vour administration ? ? t The Governor. I do not On the contrary re<r8 rd it as an honest effort, on the part of mt of the gentlemen connected with the mov ment, to develop what has been set forth the resolutions of the Board of Trade ai Chamber of Commerce-namely, the truth falsr.y of the report that there has been alar; increase In the Mate debt. I should be mo pleased, however, were I assured that ti proceedings would not take a political tur The delegates ought to be selected witho reference to their political affiliations ai opinions. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK! Q. Do yon think you observe any decid? change In the public sentiment ol the Stat looking to apolitical combination of the tv races ? The Governor. I think that the modera viewB recently uttered by the pfess of tl Station subjects connected with ifs politli are tending to obliterate the prejudices ai I lean once entertained by Republicans that the State fell into the hands ol the opposltioi or Ute leading native white citizens were give any considerable Influence in the adminTstr; tion of affairs, they would use it to the injui ol the political status of the newly enfranohi ed class, and employ the dominant powecI oppressing those with whom they might dim in politics. Whether this belief was well fount edi will not undertake to say, but that It ht existed honestly in the minds of almost all Ri publicans in thc State, there Is not the lea: doubt Q. Allow me to ask what you think is ' njt cessary for the people of the State to do In 01 der to e.Te ct perfect harmony between a classes ? ' The Governor. The answer is In a nutshel Let the Intelligent whites ol'the Slate show b their acts that they would not. if they had th power, interfere with the rights and privilege Of the newly enfranchised-citizen. Confideoe can only be Inspired by practical illustration Pledges are all very-"well in their way, bu palpable result? are better. Q. That being true, why did not the colore people acceptlhe right hand of fellowship* trx tended to them during the last campaign ? The Governor. Because up to the time o the nomination a different policy prevailed The conversion was loo .sudden. The Repufj Heans doubted you. Furthermore lt wa shown io be a purely political movement/ii which nothing more was desired than to gall the ascendancy without reference to the char aCr-"1 of persons put In nomination for vari ouj offices. I hold that whatever reform i necessary must be accomplished through* un combined influence of the good men ol ?hi State, and the selection of person- to fill re spouslble public positions, whose pe rs? nu character isa guarantee lor the correctness-o their official conduct. Q. Do yon think that yon made a reason ablti effort to Becure the best men, and carrj out the plan enunciated by you in your lasi answer? The Governor. Having mixed as mnch In poli nos a* yon have done, you caa readily da demand Uie Impossibility of my making ans very great effort during the heat of a oana palgn like that through which we have just passed. Th? attack of the.Reform party was made principally upon .myself, and that iact atone precluded me from ualng any considera? ble portion of my personal influence to secure Hie eleclion 01 the beat class ol' men to office, which, by the way, I desired perhaps more earnestly than even the members of the" Re? form parry, because the results ol my adnnrlis tratlon depend very much upon the character, not only ol' the LeglBiuiure, but of the local officers thi oughout the State. . ? ?ft THE REFORM AND REPUBLICAS PLATFORMS-?A DISTINCTION WITHOUT A DlWCRKNOlS. Q. What, in your judgment, was the essen? tial difference between the two parties ? . The Governor. .There was nonel I regard the Republican Tlutform as embodying the main features of thu constitution of the Stale; the Beform platform' was an ac? ceptance of the same principles. I can arrive at no other conclusion, therefore, than this: that all good mea associated in the Reform movement were, practi? cally. Republicans, although they did not dare to say so. Indeed. I am satisfied that a very large element who acted with the Reform par? ty are at heart in fuit sympathy with Republi? canism, and ore only unwilling to identify themselves with us because of prejudice against the name. 1 can see no reason, how? ever, why, in the future, such men may not rise above these petty considerations, and unite with the Republican parly In correcting what? ever evils may exist in the management of the affairs of the government. SOUTH CAROLINA A REPUBLICAN STATE. Q. Have you any objection to mentioning the names ot some bf the gentlemen you em? brace in this category, thai is to say, whom you regard as good Repnbllcans'r ? . The Governor. Well, I have no reason YD doubt the sincerity of such gentlemen as Gene? ral M. C. Buller, General McGowan, Colonel Cothran.. ot Abbeville; Colonels Baxter tani ?Simeon Fair, of Newberry; Colonel T. ??. Simons, ol' Chai lepton, and many others of high character, when they ?jive pub? lic expression to principles that are per? fectly Republican in character. I am there? fore bound to accept these gentlemen os being as good Republicans as there are In the State. CJ. What do you say ol the mass ot white: who voted with these gentlemen? Tlttr'Oevernor. I believe that a large ma? jority are Republicans at heart, for the reasifn, very easllyunderstood, that the chief issues ol' the Democratic party, so furas the State was coucerned, are absorbed In the fourteenth and iilteeutli amendments lo the constitu? tion, or are settled by the war. They have nothing left io stand on but that constitution, which is our own vantage ground,and thus U Ls ou!y a name which divides the two parlies. ? THE K. K. K. Q. Il this, in your opinion, be the prevail? ing sentimeut ol' the people, how do you ac? count for the existence of the Ku-Klux-Klan? Tlie Governor. In the lirst nlu?e I do not believe that all of the people who have been recognized as opponeuts of Hie Republican party belong to or sympathize with the Ku Klux organization. Rut that there are many prominent men at the head of that organiza? tion, and connected with it in one way or another, 1 have -not the least doubt-. My state? ment is based on information which I believe to be perfectly reliable. In the second place, their acts indicate a large aud influential or? ganization, although I must confess I do" riot ? attribute all of the outrages committed in the State to the Ku-Klux There are other parties banded together who whip and murder ibr their own personal ends. Q. Seriously, Governor, do you think tiie Ku-Klux organization is anything more than a Vigilance committee, such as has existed during the incipiency cif several ol the Stale Govert! inents ol America? The Governor. Perhaps In one sense it is a, Vigilance committee, but I am satisfied that its : clilei object is political. Its whole course has ! been aggressive, at the same time that it has pretended in the name of right to punish evil doers and redress wrongs. Still, il can be reached in one wa}-, and the General Govern? ment can adopt measures that will lead to the detection ot' the men engaged in it, without much more trouble or expense thau attends the detection of crime elsewhere. Q.. Have you formed any opinion as to the effect or the'Ku-Klux organization upon the political complexion of the State hereat ter? The Governor. Very decidedly. I am satis? fied that if anything was wanted to thoroughly . crystalize the Republican party and drive every colored man and every poor white man into its ranks, the Ku-Klux was the only thing necessary. Instead of accomplishing their own political purpose they Will lose by the reaction against them. The United States \ Sovernment ls bound to give protection to Its citizens, and the entire South may some day ie garrisoned by troops, who will see to it mat men vote according to the dictates of .heir conscience or their Interest, as the case nay be. A further bad effect will follow, in which the Republican party itself will be Injur? ed, not less than the people at large. In til periods of strife, the worst elements Invari ibly come to the surface. The most extreme md unscrupulous men are certain to be the nost industrious In seeming for themselves lolitical positions from the dominant party, md thus that would occur which every well wisher of his 8tate. most wishes to avoid. I lay, therelore, that if the Democratic parly-If hat be the party under which this Ku-Klux irganizatlon ls operating-aim to achieve cer? ate purposes, they can adopt no surer plan to consolidate the Republicans to a man. than to ittempt to regulate by force that which can In I me, perhaps, be won by reason. MINORITY REPRESENTATION". Q. Changing the subject, somewhat abrupt y, what are your vleWB on the new question of nmorlty representation ? The Governor. I have, given that matter considerable reflection, and believe the ralnor ty system to be the best plan' of representa ion. It must be patent to every one that a najority, unchecked and untrammelled, may, ny legislation, do an Infinite amount of hum, md that the only mode by which the evil can >e limited, and greater purity In the admlnis ration ol affairs be secured in any Common? wealth, ls by allowing the minority to have a represen tatlon corresponding with their itrength. To accomplish that rjurpose in South Carolina, however, lt would first be necessary to make a change in toe constitu? tion, which, by the way. all the people of the State will, in my judgment, soon require, be? cause in several particulars it is not equal to he demands ot tue hour. THE ROCKS AND SHOALS OF TUE ADMINISTRA? TION'. Q. I would like to know what have been the chief difficulties with which you have bad to contend In your administration thus far ? The Governor. First, the efforts of the out iide parties to push through legislation which vas destructive of the best interests of the State, and only beneficial to a few Individuals, secondly, the promptness with which the Leg-, 8lature yielded In many cases to these Influ-. enees, and carried out measures in which .heir constituents had no concern. Q. Was there not open and direct bribery ? The Governor. Well, the facility with which ocal Interests were subserved and the general ntereste ol the State were neglected, besides certain other signs more personal m their character, induced those who were not con? nected with the Legislature to believe that im? proper influences bad been brought to bear In jrder to effect tnese objects. Whether lt }s .rue or not, I hare had no means of knowing. Q. Were not the expenses unnecessarily arge? The Governor. Undoubtedly; but I had no neans of limiting them. A large number of he'attaches received pay fer services that night have been dispensed with, while the engin of the session, unnecessarily prolonged, igaln increased the expenses. I have no means )(' knowing, and, up to this lime, have not leen able to ascertain how many employees here were, In and around the capital, or what vere their duties. WANTED-GOOD MEN. Q. One more question, and I am done. In leleotlng officials, do you feel yourself confin? ed exclusively to those who are in open affilia Ion with the Republican pai-t&? The Governor. I have never done so lltherto.nor do I expect to be governed by the jrdinary rules adopted by other administra? tions. Were Ito attempt to apply the rule strictly, I should lall In many instances in se? curing the best men for the positions. I can >nly refer you to my last. inaugural address, n which I proposed to consult the fitness and pialltlcatloaof a man, rather than the claims )f a mere politician. CONCLUSION. In closing this somewhat remarkable inter Mew with his Excellency-so important be? cause lt is the first expression ot official opin? en that has been heard in the present erisls t may add to the Iriterestof the statements nade, to remark that the Governor seemed to neet each qnewfon WankffWand squarely, and ?poke with an earnestness willett betokened conviction. The colloquy on both Bides was Axa Inspiration of the moment,, and in all .espects the foregoing ia a faithful transcript jf a free conversation. FRO if THE STATE CAPITAL. Town Topics-Sp if, gu t's Canal-Inter? raittent Work-A Kn-KIax Sensation. 'FROM OCR OWK CORRESPONDENT.] COLUMBIA, April 17. About a year ago. Colonel Pearce, an agent of Mr. Spragne, procured a lot of mules and carts, and advertised extensively for hands to work on the canal. This put everybody on the tiptoe of expectation. Parties began to orm companies for manufactories of all kinds ind descriptions,, from making brooms to .veavlng genuine earners hair shawls. Real ?state rose In value several per cent, on the maglnary Inhabitants that were to be import id to work the factories-when they were 3iiilt. The mules, carts and hands were put :o work, and in a short while they made the nicest canal that ever was dug In the'se parts, tt Is seventy-five feet wide, about four or five reetdeep.and about 400 yards long. The dirt was carted out and pileil neatly on the weet side; ?.lieu it was levelled, and smoothed, and patted -a real nice job. It was in a good place, too :he road to the ferry across tue river crossed .he centre'of it; everybody tlmt passed could 'ee, and could wonder. Tbe ground was soft .o dig, and there was no water nor mud to nake the work disagreeable. This ls below vhere the old canal runs Into the river. There ire two objections lo this canal, however: one s, that lt is on top ol' a hill, and the other la ,'uat lt is dry-except when it rains. It is a Ine canal, though, if those objections are over? come. This artistic job was finished before .he Legislature met; the hands then were dis nissed, Hie mules und carts taken away, and ?onie, If not all. were sold. A long rest lollow .d. About two montis ago, Colonel Pearce rave notice he would start work again. Trie ild canal was drained, real estate rose, and .hose companies were again set agog; a diteb. or ihe distance of three or four, hundred ?.ards, about two feet wide and eighteen nches deep, was dug, and now the canal is takiug auother rest. Real estate is anguishing and so are those manufacturing companies. We ' don! mean to 6ay that this vas a sell, or only meant for show; for if they Jig to the bottom of that hill, or raise the bot .oin of the old canal to the height ol' the new >ne, and connect them together, it will be\t?l 'Ight; but it does look as il Mr. Spragne and Jolonel Pearce wanted a little help from some )f our rich men to aid this work along. We lave got a rich man amongst us. Mr. Denny, cx-county treasurer, swore, ingoing bail for a Murty the other day, that he was worth that jail und a hundred thousand besides. Now, if his rich man would, help Mr. Spragne, that caual might be finished, after ail. We had a little commotion on Main street ?bout 8 o'clock Saturday night. Mr. Agnew's ?orse broke from his keeper at the stable, (mashed thc buggv, and took the shads with lim up the side wulks on Main street. "The Ko-KIux are coming !,! was yelled ont, and l?verai ebony individuals did some tall walk ng from there-"uol that they feared to slay, jut-they loved to go." COBSAIR. . MASONRY Ilf VIRGINIA. NORFOLK, April 16. The corner-stone of a Masouic temple, to be erected on ihe corner of Freemason and Brew? er 6treets, was laid this afternoon by the cruft, with imposing ceremony, and was witnessed by an immense crowd of persons. The oration was delivered by W. S. Whittle, Esq. The ex? ercises ol the day were concluded by a ban" quet given in the largest ball in the city. Lodges from Portsmouth and Fortress Monroe, and many distinguished individuals from other places, were present. SPECIE AND BONDS FOE EUROPE, NEW YORK, April 18. The European shipments to-day were one million in bonds and $126,000 in specie. THE STRIFE AT PARIS. THE GERMARS TO INTER VEEE IF THE REDS TRIVMPH. The Fight at Neuilly Pi agreeing-The Diplomat? l'rge t?e Commune tu Agree to a Trace-More Paris Churches PH laged'-Funds in tlie Hands of the Com? munists- The Revictualing of Paris to be Stopped-Capture of Chateau Bre? con Confirmed. VERSAILLES, April 17., The Assembly bas ordered municipal elec? tions in Paris for the 30th Instant The gov? ernment troops have carried Chateau Brecon, which commands Asnleres. The fight at Nen 11 ly le progressing, and seems, from the sound, nearing Paris. It is rumored that the diplo? mats of the United States, England and Italy, are jointly urging the Commune to agree to a truce. The Commune has instituted a general court martial. PARIS, April 17-Noon. There has been firing all night, and it con? tinues this morning, The'red flag was placed on the summit of a church at Neu illy yester? day afternoon by a vputh of sixteen amid a .shower of balls. Scarcely a church is now open. St. Vincent De Paul and St. Jacques Du Haut Pas were pillaged yesterday. Clusey has been arrested. A Communist decree provides for methodi? cal requisition upon the Inhabitants ol Paris street by street Another decree convokes the Syndical Chambers, in order to draife sta-, tistics of abandoned 'workshops and arrange for their reopening by workmen who are not1 proprietors. ~ LONDON, April 18. The Times has a special from Paris stating that lt ls reported that Prussia will Intervene in the affairs cf France in case thu Commune 3hould be victorious over the Versailles Gov? ernment. TheTrusslans have advanced to Anbervlllieres. Th? Daily News special dis-! patch from Paris says the Commune has In its hands cash to the amount of thirty-eight mil? lions of francs,-paid by the Bank of France for unsold bonds of the City of Paris. A dispatch fi om Versailles says the Prussians have agreed to stop re victualling Paris by way of St. Denis. The insurgents now occupy the greater part of the woods of Colombes beyond Asnferes. Prince Bismarck, in a note to-lhe. Versailles Government, admits the right Of McMahon to occupy, with French troops, the ground around Paris made neutral by the stipulations of the preliminary treaty of peace. Thiers1? circular confirms the capture ol Chateau Brecon. The Chateau Brecon com? mands Cblcy as well as Asnleres. The reported capture of colors from the Pontifical Zouaves at Neuilly ls untrue.. FURTHER DETAILS. [From the Northern Papera] The Bombardment of Paris. PARIS, April 15-Evening.. There has been firing all day from Valerien with heavy naval guns. The Versailles troops are concentrating at Choisy, Creteil, Nanterre and st. Germain, up to the neutral Prussian line. To-day the bridges were crowded to Bee the artillery at TTocadero. A window was bro? ken by the concussion. House No. 2 Bue Pres? bury has been struck by twelve shells and f;reatly damaged. Shells are continually fati? ng in the city. Two million francs of house properly has already been destroyed. The righting slilLcontliiiiefli lint ina grear, atiaf k ls expected' to-night. The view ol theflgTlt last night from Vouvres was magnificent. The heavens were one blaze of fire. The rifle firing was the heaviest ever heard, and the crash ol' the mitrailleurs.continual. Shells fell in Avenue Wagram, also many rifle bullets. Tradesmen in the Avenue des Ternes were wounded, and a general exodus from that quarter is taking place. Crowds are demanding passports to leave Paris, but hun? dreds are disappointed. The^streets leading lrom Porte Maillot are In ruins. Forts DTSBV and Vanvres are fiting small bombs, which splinter, and are terribly destructive. Thlers's conditions have rendered ihe Insurgents very violent , . ' If. Boobelort demands inst Vinoy, GsIIIzet, Favre, Picard and MoMahon, should be brought chained In couples to the Champs Elysees, where the relatives ol' the nationals killed should be allowed to do what they please with them. The fall ot the water of the seine prevents the communists' gunboats from moving. Thc central committee are still at variance with the Commune. General Lulller has been appointed to the command of the Communists. It ls reported that Thiers has declined several propositions from Insur? gent commanders to betray certain city gates for u heavy consideration. Statements from Paris, PARIS, April 16-.Morning. The Communists report that Fort Issy re? pulsed successive assaults of the Versalllists on Friday and Saturday, with severe loss to the assailants. General Dombrowski attacked the government forces at Neuilly yesterday, and lt ls claimed too'; lour hundred prisoner's. The engagement continued throughout thc entire night. The batteries on the hill of Tro cadero have opened fire on Fort Valerien, which replies with vigor. General Dombroswki enforces strict discipline among the National Gnards, and is doing much to render all branches ol'the military service more efficient. Denials from Versailles. LONDON, April 10-Evening. Dispatches from Versailles deny that the in? surgent? look four hundred prisoners yester? day, and declare no important military events have taken place. They say that the insur? gents Sn the forts waste their ammunition by dring at night to no purpose. On Saturday night, though Urey kept up a continual can? nonade, only one Versaillist was wounded. Triumphal Return to Berlin. BERLIN, April 15. No date has yet been fixed for the triumphal entry of the German army into this capital, and it IB generally believed mat the event will occur during May or June.' THE ? EATHER THIS DAT. WASHINGTON, April 18. It ls probable that the storm will move east? ward, and be severely felt to-night and on Wednesday on the Lakesand southward to the Gulf States. Cloudy weather and easterly winds will probably be experienced on the At 1 antic coast. -A new Peabody has arisen in England, with the difference that he has not at present revealed hla name. Some time ago a gentle man stated that he was prepared to expend .ii.so,(Joo In the erection of a lunatic asylum tor the benefit of the lower middle class. Ht ls now proceeding to carry out that purpose .and has publicly intimated that he is prepared to devote to public and useful purposes a sun equal to that given by Mr. Peabody, so sooi as he can satisfy himself as to the best mean i ol' effecting this, so as to do the greatest pub lie good._ -The dead lock in the New York Assembl: is at an end, Mr. Winans, Republican, fron Chatauqua, having announced in the Houe< on Monday morning that he would vote with th< Democrats. The Democrats have secured i clear majority, and are about to act in commit iee or the whole on the tax levy and Nef York bills. The special election bill for thi sixteenth district of New York passed the As sembly by a vote of 66 to 55. Tne Appropriation, for th?' Charleston Sisters of Mercy Agreed to at Last. WASHINGTON,. April 18. The legal-header case was discussed all day In the Supreme Court. The auoxaey-genernl appeared on behalf of the government, argu? ing against the present decision of th?Supreme Court, and that contr&ow antedating legat tenderB were unaffected by the act, and also affirmatively on the question whether it was binding as'to contracts since Its passage. Ellen Condy was te-day nominated an post? mistress at Alken-, S. C. The only points In the conf?rence commit? tee deficiency bill affecting the Sonta was a concurrence in the amendment giving $30,000 to the fc ls tira of Mercy .ol Charleston, and ap? pointing an attorney to represent the goyein ment before th a So m he rn claims committee. The Ku-Klux conference committee agreed to the test oath, modified so it may be exacted upon motion of the district attorney, ?apport ed by .the discr?tion of the court. In the Senate, a resolution was- passed re? questing the President to detail an officer of engineers to assist In the survey progressing under the auspices of Louisiana for strength? ening the levees. Blair, supported by Thurman, called upon the attorney-general to communicate the stip? ulations between the attorney-general and the counsel for Yerger. of Mississippi. Conk ling wanted to know the object of the resolu? tion. Blair replied, to give the people Infor? mation. It Ls strongly suspected that there bas been huggermogging in the Yerger case, and the truth should be known. There was no action on the Ku-Klux bill,, which was dis? cussed all day. . In the House there was an exciting general debate, bat no important action. The speaker announced the following mem? bers on the joint committee on the South : Po? land, Maynard, Scofield, Cook, Coburn, Ste? venson, Buckley, lansing, Cox, Peek, Voor hees, Vantramp, Waddell and Robinson. Also the following as members on the special com? mittee on the Mississippi levees: Marcy, Ketcbum, McKee, Getz and Duke. Adjourned. LAWS OF^MB STATE. Acts and Joint Breolntlons, Passed by the General Assembly or South Caro? lina, 9cssf?>a of 1870?'7l. [OFFICIAL.] As ACT to incorporate the Town of Timmons ?HJeV SECTIOS 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House o? Representative* of the State of South Carolina, now met and sitting in General As? sembly, and by the authority of toe same: That all persona, citizens of the United States, who now are or hereafter may be,, in? habitants of tbe Town ol Timmonsville, shall be deemed,' and are hereby declared, to be a body politic and corporate, sad that said town BbaH be called ?nd known by tho- nam? of Tim? monsville, abd its limite shall extend one mile, in the direction of the cardinal pointe fi om tbe depot ot the Wilmington and Man? chester Railroad Company^ at a centre, and form a sq uar e. SEC. 2. That the said town shall ba governed by au intendant and four wardens, (who shat be citizens of tba United States, and shall have been rea'd?nts of said town for sixty days im? mediately preceding said election;) who shall be elected at sueh time, and at such place it said village aa the intendant and wardens shall designate, ten days' pnblio notice being previously gives; and. that al] male inhabitants of the said town,, of the age of twenty-one, who have resided therein a?xt?y days immedi? ately preceding thc election, shall be entitled to vote for and be elected as intend mt and wardens, and the election shall he held frone six o'clock in tbe morning until six o'clock ii tbe afternoon, when the polls shall bs closet' and tho raanagen sball conni the votes ant) proclaim thc election, and give notice thereoi to the persons elected, and that thc intendant and wardens for the time being shall appoint, tho managers to h oki the ensuing election. That .the intendant and wardens, before entering upon the da ties of their offices^euell take the oath prescribed by the Constitution of ibis State, and also the following oath, to wit : "As in? tendant (or warden) of the Town of Timjnpns . ville, I will, ..equally and impartially, to the best of my skill and ability, exercise the trust reposed in me, and will use my best endeavors to preserve the peace, and carry into effect, according to law, the purposes of my appoint? ment : Bo help me God." SEC. 3. That in case a vacancy shall occur in the office of intendant or any of the wardens, by death, resignation, removal from the State or from any other cause, an election shall bc held to fill such vacancy, and the intendant and warien, or wardens, as the caso may be shall frive ten days' previou? notice of Bael election; an i in case of sickness or temporary absence of the intendant, the wardens, form ing a council, Bhall be empowered to elect ont of their cumber to act as intendant during snell sickness or absence. tszc. 4. That the intendant and wardens, daly elected and qualified, shall, during theil term of Ber vice, have the same powers which a trial justice now has to compel tbe attend arce of witnesses, and require them to giv< evidence upon the trial before them of an; person for tlie violation of any of the by-Iawi or ordinances of the town; that the inteadan shall, as ofteD as occasion may require, sum? mon the wardens to meet him io connell, i majority of whom shall constitute a quorum for tho transaction of business, and shall bi known by the same of the town conned of tbi Town ol Timmonsville, and they and then sue cessora in office snail bave a common seal and shall have pawer and authority to ap point, from time to time, such and so manj proper persons, to act as marshals or con? stables, as they shall deem expedient anc proper, which officers Bhall have all powers privileges and emoluments, and be eubjeot tx all the duties, penalties and reRulati?fce pro vided by the laws of this Stale for the offio of constable; and the intendant and war dens, in council, ebal! have power and authori ty, uuder their corporate Beal, to ordain ant establish "all such roles and by-laws and ordi Dances respecting the streets, ways, publii wells and springs or fountains of water, mar kele, and police of said Town of Timmonsville aDd for preserving health, peace, order, a? good government within the same, as the j mai deem expedient and proper, not incoBsiBten with or repugnant to the laws of the State, am all euch by-laws and ordinance* shall at a times be subject to r?visai or repeal by th Geperal Assembly of the Slate, and the sai Council may affix ones for offences against sue. by-laws and ordinances, and appropriate th same to the nee of tbe corporation; bat no fin shall exceed thirty dollars, And when fine Bilan exceed twenty aoiiar.s mej iim.wiowi. ered in a trial justice court of the Conn ty -of Darlington; and when they are of the amount of twenty' dollars, oruiiifr, ther may bej$* covered before said intendant and wardens in council. ...... _ 8:io. 5. That the said council shall -haye pow? er to abate and remove ntdsances w i th in the limits of said town, and also to classify ancLar range the. in/aabi tani* liable to pol ico da ty, and reqnire them to perform sttoh doty as oc? casion may require and to enforce the per? formance thereof ander the same penalties a? are now or may hereafter . be established1!^ law: Provided always, nevertheless, That tho Slid eonncil shall have power to compound With persane li ab", o to perform euch duty'noon such terms as th ev shall by ordinance' esta re? lish. ? ? , - . ,ah ?I . (do- . Ssc. 6. That it -ballbe the dury ai the -rn tendant and wardens to keep att stree'te and ways which may be neeeiistry foi" pnt?fc'?s?? within the limits of ssftj town open 'and in good repair, and for that' purpose they 'ar? hereby invested with all the powers, rf gh? and privileges granted 'hy law to - the comity commissioner 3 with -the limits of said-'towri i and for neglect Of duty they shall be liable rb the pains abd penalties Imposed by law apon com missioners'bf ronds for like neglect, and they axe hereby individually exempt frort the performance of road and -police duty with? in the limits ot said corporation. - itwaMd SEO. 7. That the said intendant and wardens shall have power to compound with'persons liable to work on the said streets and ways^ and to releab 3 such persons as may desire lt, upon the payment of such sum of money as they may deem- a fair equivalent therefor, to be applied by them to the ?se of said corporation'. SEC. 8. That the said council of the Town'of Tizamonsvilie shall also be empowered to re? tain, possess and enjoy all such proper ty HS tbey may now be possessed of, or entitled to, or which shall hereafter be given, bequeathed to or in any manner acquired hy them, and to sell, alien, or in any way transfer the same, OT any part thereof: Provided, The amount of property so held, or stock invested,-shall in no-, case exceed twenty thousand dollars. - Baa. 9. That the said co un erl shalt also h ; ve power-to impose an annual tax on alt the ren? aud personal property within tee corporate limits of said town? Provided, Said t ax d^B not exeeeed fifty cents on the one hundred dollars. -? SEC. 10.-That the intendant and wardens of the said Town of Timmonsville shall- have power te reg?late safes at auction within the limits of saidriMage, and to grant licenses to auctioneer? : Provided, That nothing herein contained ?halt extend to sates by or for the) sbstiflk, olerks of court, judges of probate? co no nore, executors and administrators; .as? signees, or by any other person, undertbe order of airy coart, trial justice, or other infe? rir court. . .'.'. Ssc M. That the intendant and Wardens of said town of Timmonsvifie- sbaH have power : and ?athon' y to reqnire all persons owning a ' -lot br lots ht tbsS^M l own of Ti in rn o ns vii le to ' keep in repair the sidewalks adjacent to their : lets respectively,- ta* for default tn this matter 1 H rmi I have power and authority to impose a' 3tfo 1 not exceeding fifteen dollars; - : 'M 1 - Mall That the power to refuse or grant ' licenses to keep a tavern, orto retail intoxl eating drinks, be, aad the same is hereby, vested in the said conn eil of the Town Cf Tim 1 mons ville, and l hst they also bo invested with all necessary power, by erdinauoe or ordl 1 nances, to suppress or regulate the sale of-rh ' roxicating drinks : Provided, That no nile or 1 regulation ?ball be inoousistsot witt the coh 1 -siltation aad laws of the State. '? > 1 Ssc 13. That this, act shall be talma and deemed as a pabilo act in ail courts Of justice, 1 and snail continue in force until repealed. Sse 14. That so m ?.oh of see tion 10 of "Ah '? -act to ?eorporate certain towns and villages, 1 sod to renew and amend oertaio charters here 1 tefore prauted,'?jr?titled ea the Hat day of D e 1 cember, A. D. 1&57, as inoorporatee tore Villa?? 1 of Timm ons ville, is hereby repeated. I Approved the28th day of February, 1171. . AM ACT deelsring the rigfat of way across the ? - ' Savannah and Chi rles ton Railroad, a . SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Sonate and > House of Rep resen ta ti ves of the fit ate of South Carolina, now met and sm m : in General As ? sembly, and by the authority of 'he same : That John R. Dickinson, F. A. Dickinson, John Jones and Henry A. Smith shall be, and - ore herebyi, authorized to obtain the right of way across tho Savannah and Charleston Bail 1 road, in the manner prescribed in on aclenti ' tied "An ect to declare tbe manner by which 1 the Jaxd or. the right of way over the lands of i persona or corporations may be taken for the . construction and uses of railways, and other works of internal improvement," approved the twenty-second day of September, 1868. ?fi . SEC. ? That they, the said John B. Dickin? > son,-E. A. Dickinson. John Jones and Henry 1 A,-Smith, shall, at all times, conform with tbs ' schedule of the. Savannah and Charleston > Bailroad, and in no instance cross within fifteen 1 minnies of the time any train is dne ; and it shall be the duty of the Savannah and Charles ' ton Bailroad Company to give tho said parties, 1 John B. Dickinson, E. A. Dickinson, John 1 Jones and Henry A. Smith, or their agents, notice in writing, three days in advance of any change in their schedule : Provided, That the said Jo an B. Dickinson and others shall not be 1 allowed to carry passengers. SEC. 3. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this (?tare hereby repealed. r Approved the 7th day of March, A. D. 1871. * ks ACT to authorize the connty commission? ers of Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens and i Oconee, and the authorities of certain towns 1 . in those counties to provide means to meet > interest on certain bonds. 2 Sr cn ON 1. Be it enacted by tbe Senate and. : House of Representatives of the State, of , South Carolina, now met and sitting in Gen - eral Assembly, and by the authority of the ,- esme: * That the county commissioners of the coun 1 ties of Spart an burg, Greenville, Pickens and , Oconee, and the proper authorities of the said j citi> fi and towns in those counties, having sub - eenbed, or proposing subscription, to the 9 capital stock of the Atlanta and Bishmond Air . Line Railway Conpany, be empowered, SD soon . ae the said railway company shall have com 1 plied with the terms of subscription of any - one of the above mentioned counties, cities or : towns, and said subscriptions shall have been - accepted by said company, then , the county , commissioners of such connty, or the proper i authorities of such city or town, are aoxhor ! ?zed and required to have levied and collected, t from year to year, on all taxable property in I such county, city or town, a sam of money II sufficient to meet the interest accruing , oa e such bonds as may be issued to mee!,such d subscription to tho capital stock of awd At? ti lanta and Bichmond Air Line Bail way Comps, e ny, and to provide for the payment of ouch s bonds, ts they may fall due. ie Approved the 7th day of March. A. D. 1671 .