Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE STATE CONVENTION, e THE WORK OF MAKING A NEW CON- ], STITUTION BEGUN. Governor Kran* Klectcd President? II? j Makes Some Valuable SnggentlouK uh to ?c?le<l ChangeH.?The Work Most Attn- ^ plclottxly jtrgun. Columbia, S. C., Sept. 10?The State e Constitutional Convention assembled t today at a few minutes after 12 t o'clock. As the hands of the clock pointed to five minutes past 12, Secretary of State, D. H. Tompkins, rapped Q the convention to order and announc- ^ ed that it was readv for business. . Congressman \Vilson of Spartan- j, burg arose and said that he had the ^ honor to nominate as temporary chairman of the convention, representing Q the whole people of the State assembled for the purpose of framing its organic law, one whose eloquent voice, r forceful pen and lofty abilities had always been employed for the welfare r of the State, whose OTeat heart beats in sympathy with the masses of the peoDle? Col. Robert Aldrich, of Barn- ? well. r No other nominations being made Col Aldrich was unanimously elected * and in taking the Chair he said in part: I deem it a high honor to be Q - * ?" jv;. ? 1 e< connectei wua inis uuguat wuj m any capacity, but I desire to make acknowledgement for the honor con ferred upon me. This is the most im- tj portant convention that hiis assembled in South Carolina in a century. It is ? the second time in the history of the State that the people have assembled P to frame and adopt the organic law. There has been other so called constitutional conventions, but with one exception this is the only one that has ever met as the exponent of the untrammelled will of the people. We have what is known as tne constitutional convention of 1776-78, but their acts were nothing more than the acts of a General Assembly. Then came the convention of 1790 and that of 1860 which passed the ordinance of j secession and made such other changes as suited the changed conditions. The * convention of 1865 was called by the g proclamation of the provisional uov- ft] ernor appointed by the President of ^ the United States and who had no g more authority than any other citizen ? to call such a convention and it itself ^ had no more authority than a mass x. meeting of citizens. The convention of 1868 was called by reason of the Reconstruction Acts of Congress, which were notoriously without constitution- q al warrant and were consequently null- q and void. This Constitution was de- :t signed to humiliate the State, degrade her people and subvert her civilization, q and to the shame of South Carolina her people lived under that instrument Aiirhfoen vftars after thev retrained con- j trol of the government. To the last- " ing honor of the people they have now ^ assumed charge ana intend to right that grievous wrong. Col. Aldnch -y said that the Constitution of 1790 was Q; made by the people and under it the prosperity, greatness and glory of- g, Soutn Carolina developed and in his judgment this convention could do nothing better than take it as a basis. It has been bred in the bone, blood ^ and sinew of the State. We could ? not do better than follow in its foot- j. steps, be said, making such changes ^ as different conditions demanded. He ^ congratulated tile delegates that they ^ had assembled in the peace of God ana trusted that their deliberations would i be guided by wisdom from above, for they were to make laws that we must live under, work under and enjoy to m the remotest period of our existence, j: He then announced the convention wwidv fnr nthpr business. On motion of Lieu J.-Gov. Timmer- ? man two temporary secretaries were ^ appointed by the Chair, they being p Col. Jones, of Richland, and Mr. J. P. K. Bryan, of Charleston. ? Then began the call of counties and _ presentation of credentials, which, if ^ continued through all the counties, would have consumed an immense j. amount of valuable time, and on mo- j3 ton of Mr. Stanyarne Wilson the call of counties was dispensed with and ^ delegations were instructed to hand in their lists later. ^ CALLING THE ROLL. 8! The roll of the Convention was then ti read by Secretary Jones and showed s< the following duly elected delegates: es Abbeville?Wm. C. McGowan, I. H. McCalla, J. C. Klugh, R. R. s< Hemphill, Frank B. Gary, R. F. Mc- g Casian. n A Ti-vV.r. rj-urv TSimris P. P. C< XXIAVU UVUU \JtM? j ? M?. ? Woodward, R. L. Qunter, D. S. Hen- p derson. f> Anderson?J. P. Glenn, L. 0. Har- ei rison, J. E. Breazeale, D. H. Russell, ii G. E. Prince, J. M. Sullivan. c< Barr.well?Robert Aldrich, G. D. g Bellinger, C. M. Hires, W. C. Smith, tl A. H. Patterson, G. H. Bates. Beaufort?Robert Smalls, James e< Wigg, Thomas Miller, Isaiah R. Reed, "vv W. J. Whipner. ci Berkeley?J. B. Morrison, J. B. g Wiggins, E. J. Dennis, William Hen? a derson, A. H. DeHay, H. H. Murray. s< R. C. McMakin. u Charleston?T. G. Barker, J. P. K. fi Bryan, J. N. Nathans, A. S. Farrow, t< Julian Mitchell, G. F. Von Kolnitz, r< Jr.. W. M. Fitch, Joseph L. Oliver, c W. St. Julien Jervey. c Chester?T. J. Cunningham, J. t] Lyles Glenn, G. W. Gage, R. 0. At- ? kinson. ti Chesterfield?E. N. Redfearn, F. P. g Taylor, E. J. Kennedy. u Clarendon?J. M. Sprott, J. S. Can- I tey, D. J. Bradham, J. W. Kennedy, n Colleton?M. P. Howell, C. W. t< Garris, D. H. Behre, M. R. Cooper, L. p E. Parler. y Darlington?H. C. Burn, J. N. Par- p rot, J. 0. A. Moore, J. A. Peritt Edgefield?B. R. Tillman, W. J. tl Talbert, G. D. Tillman, W. H. Tim- d ?>^w^r,on T r"! Shpnrtard. R. B. Wat- n UiCl uxailj V. V/. rv??"? J son. h Fairfield?R. A. Mears, W. L. Ros- I borough, G. W. Ragsdale, T. W. a Brice. e Florence?B. B. McWhite, R. M. si McCown, W. F. Clayton, J. 0. Byrd. I Georgetown?J, H. Reed, E. F. Mat- ti thews, R. B. Anderson, colored. v Greenville?J. W. Gray, J. T. Aus- v tin, Hugh Harion, H. B. Buist, II. J. f< Haynsworth, G'apt. G. G. Wells. si Hampton?W. J. Gooding, A. J. 1 Harrison, C. J. C. Hutson. tl Horry?J. P. Derham, J. A. McDer- p mott, Jeremiah Smith. tl Kershaw?C. L. Winkler, J. W. p Floyd, J. Hay. g Lancaster?Ira B. Jones, J. N. Es- o tridge, J. W. Hamel. " 1 Laurens?J. L. M. Irbv, A. J. Smith, J. H. Wharton, R. L. Henry, g Lexington?C. M. Efird; J. L. Shu- d ler, E. L. Lybrand. g Marion?W. J. Montgomery, E. B.jsi * Jerry, J. E. Ellerbe, J. D. Montgomrv. Marlboro?W. D. Evans, T. E. Dudev, R. H. Hodges, T. I. Rogers. Newberry?J. A. Sligh, J. L. Keitt, Sr. S. Mower, George Johnstone. Oconre?J. C. Alexander, 0. M. )ovle, W. J. Stribling. Orangeburg?J. W. Stokes, I. W. Jowrnan, L. S. Connor, E. H. Housr. A. K. Smoak. 0. R. Lowman. Pickens?W. T. Field, W. T. Bown, R. F. Smith. Richland -J. T. Sloan, II. C. Paton, J. J. McMahan, Wilie Jones, J. J. Dent. Sumter?R. D. Lee, J. H. Scarboriugh, T. B. Fraser, G. P. McKagen, ihepherd Mash, R. P. Stackhouse. Spartanburg?Stanvarne Wilson, C. l. Barry. W. T. Bobo, M. O. Rowand, A. S. Waters, T. E. Johnson, V. E. Carver. Unicn?J. T. Douglass, W. A. Nichlson, C. H. Peake. J. C. Otts. Williamsburg?T. M Gilland, S. V. Gamble, W. R. Singletary, G. J. rraham. York?A. H. White, J. S. Brice, J. \ Ashe, W. B. Wilson, S. E. Wilson. PERMANENT ORGANIZATION. It was then decided to go into the lection of permanent officers. Exrovernor Sheppard moved that the ermanent officers be a president, two ice-presidents, sergeant-akarms and eading clerk. This motion was adopted. Mr. Patterson rising to make a omination, said that he took pleasure 1 nominating the Chief Executive of ae State, John Gary Evans. Though oung in years, yet, the eminent maner in which he has filled the exalted osition and his six years experience 1 the Legislature qualifies him to preide over this august body. Congressman Talbert said he desired n the part of Edgefield to second the omination of Gov. Evans, whose serices eminently fitted him to preside ver the convention. Gen. Gray also iconded the nomination. On motion of Mr. McCown, of FlorQce, the Governor was elected by cclamation. When the chairman put le question as to his election all the elegates arose, tp all appearances, obody expected any vote in the negave, but wnen they were called fo*\ Ob Smalls, with glasses on his eyes ad his woolly hair parted in the midle, arose amid general laughter, malls was not disturbed and took his :at unabashed. A delegate remarked iat that vote was a great compliment > the Governor. Congressman Talbert moved that a jmmittee of three be appointed to otify the Governor of his election, en. Hemphill wanted to go on with ie permanent organization first, and was decided to do this while the jmmittee of notification was out. The hair appointed Messrs. Talbert, Jones ad Patterson on the committee. Mr. Wilson nominated Messrs. W. . Talbert and Ira B. Jones for viceresidepts and they were unanimously ected. Mr. Wharton nominated Mr. S. W. ance for clerk and Mr. Cooper sec1 TT 1 J aeq ll. lur. v aoce was eieuieu. Mr. W. C. Smith nominated Mr. tansel for Serjeant-at-Arms and he as unanimously elected. It was next in order to elect a readig clerk and Delegate Prince, of nderson, wanted to hear samples of leir proficiency, but the matter was ropped for the time as the commit;e with Gov. Evans had appeared at le door. As the committee escorted le Governor in, the convention arose id Col Aldrich formerly introduced im as president of the convention. GOV. EVANS'S ADDRESS. In assuming the Chair, Gov. Evans lade an address, in which he outned some changes that he thought ould be wise in our government. He lid in part: I thank you, gentlemen, k* KAMA* trAii VlOrranrtVlfo tL nuc uv/um jvu um v v wu&wA a v%% le to preside over your deliberations, eople live under different forms of overnmrnt?monarchical, despotism p a republic, and you represent the >vereign power of the republic. To b called upon to preside over the >vereignty of South Carolina is an onorany man ought to be proud of. 1 thanking you for the honor, I simly do what goes without saying. I ill not review the history of former jnventions, which has been so ably one by your temporary chairman; iffice it to say that this is the first me her sovereignty has been repremted by the wul of the people honstly expressed at the ballot box. fhe people have delegated 'that >vereignty to you, to make an oranic law which is supreme and canot be reversed in future vears exjpt in a similar manner. From the osition I occudv. I will be nrecluded om having a large voice in the delibrations of the convention, but being 1 a position where I am intimately Dnnected with every branch of the overnment, I have some thoughts latl wish to present to you. In the first place we have the Ex:utive department. You are to say 'hat power the Governor shall exerise and that power should be well uarded. It is your province to throw round it such precautions as will prejrve the life and liberty of the citijn. The present Constitution was ramed by people who had not the inirests of the people at heart and I ecall the words of Gov. Orr to that onvention, when he said that no law ould stand unless it was framed by lie intelligence of the land. We have ome here to bolt out that Constituion and perpetuate the reign of intellience. As to the chief executive there j one power that should be given him. 'here is now no provision for the reaoval by him of dishonest or incompeBnt officials. He should have such ower in such case and if necessary ou can specify in what cases that ower ought to be exercised. As to the Legislative department here is no use to go into an extensive iscussion of that as I see before me aany who have been members of both ouses and of Congress. But the legislature has too many elections to ttend to. Wherever an otlicer is to be lected by the Legislature, change it 3 the election can be by the people. t> ??vtTTTwi4fon l?^ir lliof i Ka T am'ti L (ill Uil vyl lbb^u i?tt umii tuc xj^gw iture must adjourn by Christmas and rith so many elections on hand the rork of that body is seriously interbred with. Let there be annual sesions and for a certain number of days, 'hen we have the charter curse for hie Legislature to contend with. Cor orations should be created, but let hem be under some general law emowering the Secretary of State to rant them. By this means one-half f the time and annoyance to the legislature will be obviated. The safety of the republic rests reativ upon the judiciary. It has een said too that the greatest daner to this country is the transgresions of the Federal judiciary. About this we have nothing to do, but we Di may learn a lesson from it. Thejudi- G ciary should be well guarded. See R, that it is nlaced on so high a pinnacle that it will remain spotless so no one el can dishonor or disgrace it. It seems Bi to me that it would be best for thepeo- D pie to elect the judges. This has L. proved a blessing in a majority of H cases where it has been tried. As our county courts are at present ar constituted they are almost a farce. Tf They are expensive and fail to meet to the requirements of the people. With O, counties large enough to support them A (and counties should not be too small) monthly county courts with juridic- m tion to send convicts directly to the L. chain-gang would give justice and at to the same time as good roads as can h? be found in the world. J. The question of educatioa is the most serious one to deal with. It is of "Vi more importance than the suffrage, be- T. cause by education our best citizens G are obtained. The beginning of a citi- M zen is made at home but after he G; leaves it for the school, the schoolmaster becomes the most important per- R< sonage in the government. The nap- m; piest people are those educated. See N, that to the masses is preserved the "W privilege of education. Higher educa- ry tion is as important as common school. Mi One is a part of the other. A common school education makes a demand for m; ott/4 if ie Trrmi. dntr RimnOrt "W ixjguci ouu 11 U ? X-J institutions of higher learning. See Pf that no lights are put out. Rather see ry that more are established. The great E. mass of the people will never quarrel over taxation for education because C. they know they will derive a direct H benefit. m; There must be some educational en qualification for the suffrage if white supremacy is to be preserved. Only D. intelligence must rule and it is no in jus- D< tice to the black man to have such a qualification. We must do our duty "W in this matter. Let not the censure of "W foreigners and aliens affect you in L. performing this duty. You have ex- Bi perienced what ignorant rule means. M, On this question there should be no factional differences and he who does mj not deprecate such is unworthy to Gi stand in this hall. Fix it as in your F. judgment appears wisest, but fix it so At that the blessings of white supremacy "W may be enjoyed by your wives and children. Guard well the suffrage. It Sl< is expected of you by the outside "W " Ri worm. ^ Some provision must be made to ve protect the people against the en- Sn croachmentg of corporate wealth? 1 against a plutocracy. Corporations in ch South Carolina are becomiug power- Gri ful. Your laws otfer special indue- Tments for them to operate in the State A. and while you owe a duty tothem you R. owe it to the people as well. The peopfe in our factories are not anarch- na ists, socialists or foreigners, but are mj native born. You should see to it that so: in their poverty they are not op- "W pressed, whether a special officer Mi should be appointed to look after this Tl: is to be considered and I think the 1 small salary he would be paid would be fully compensated for by the good St he would accomplish. St Especially should some provisions be so: made against corrupt influences in J. elections. In municipalities there is Ca generally courruption and dishonest Pa means used in elections. It is your duty to see that municipalities have B. as honest and fair elections as you rifi have in your State elections. With these reflections I leave the ( questions with you, asking your paraon for giving you ray opinions. I give them to you as a duty and noT to influence you. Looking at the per- fQ] sonnel of the convention no man can say the people have not acted wisely in sending you here. Almighty God jn( send you wisdom and imbue you with ^ justice and moderation. Let your an work go forth not as the work of m) a faction, but as ?oming from the ^ sovereignty of the State around which all can untie and say "this is our con- ^ stitution" and then you will receive the 0> "well done faithful servants" of the whole people. p ORGANIZATION RESUMED. The work of electing permanent offleers was resumed p,nd the following were nominated for reading clerk: G. Walt. Whitman, of Union; A. H. tb< Dagnall of Darlington and J. S. Withers of Chester. The three iook "" turns at reading portions of the pres- fr ent constitution. By a viva voce vote ifr. Dagnall was elected, receiving 84 ~e votesto Whitmans' 11 and Withers' 54. y1Gov. Sheppard reported what the if.0 special committee on committees had agreed upon. It was to this effect: uIn order to expedite the business of the . convention the President is authorized "c to appoint standing committees, consisting of eleven members each, on the fe] following subjects, and said commit- , tees shall report to the convention on matters referred to them: Declaration of Rights; Legislative; Executive; Ju diciary; Jurisprudence; Eminent Do- 011 main; Impeachments; Right of Suf- or" frage; Finance and Taxation; Educa- ve tion; Charitable and Penal Institulions; Municipalities and Police; Corporations; Militia; Printing; County de and County Governments; Amend- an ments to the Constitution; Engrossed m! Resolutions and Ordinances; Current Accounts and Expenses; Miscellane- a! ous Matters, and, also, a committee on vo rules to' consist of five mem- tel bers, of which the President shall be exofficio a member. The re- ^ port was adopted, and the following committees appointed: jj" Declaration of Rights?J. L. M. Ir- "e by, chairman; J. E. Ellerbe, J. 0. 00 Bvrd, J. F. Cantey, J. M. Sullivan, ?a W. H. Timmerman, Geo. S. Mower, ou Geo. Von Kolnitz. F. P. Taylor, W. ?? T. Bobo, W. R. Smgletary. mi Legislative Department?J.A.Sligh, ur chairman; John C. Sheppard, B. B. mi McWhite, S. E. White, H. B. Buist, co W. L. Rosborough, J. N. Parrott, T. M. Gilland, Geo. D. Tillman, G. W. ^ Gage, J. D. McDermott. Executive?C. M. E6rd, chairman; ?r J. Walter Gray, M. P. Howell, J. C. lni Klugh, L. S. Connor, J. N. Estridge, J. T. Douglass,R. D. Lee,A. J. Smith, G. W. Ragsdale, J. H. Scarborough. Judicial?Stanyarne Wilson, chair- ttl' man; Robert Aldrich, J. E. Breazeale, Geo. Johnstone, I. W. Bowman, Theo. G. Barker, W. C. McGowan, C. L. ^1C Winkler, C. H. Peake, G. W. Gage, f ( W. J. Stribling. fo1 Jurisprudence?G. Duncan Bellinger, chairman; E. J. Dennis, Frank 1 B. Gary, A. S. Farrow, C. H. Peake, co R. I). Lee, J. Lyles Glenn, vV". M. ho Fitch, J. C. Klugh, T. I. Rogers, tr? George Johnstone. ve Eminent Domain?D. H. Russell, co chairman; H. H. Murray, J. F. Ashe, wl Geo, P. McKagin, Jos. Oliver, C. II. dr Peake, J. B. Dent, F. P. Woodward, su E. J. Kennedy, D. J. Bradham, John mi Reed. ch Impeachment?M. R. Cooper, chair- pli man; J. T. Hay, G. J. Graham, R. P. be Stackhouse, J.*L. Shuler, J. A. Mc- re: ermott, E, H. Houser, A. S. Waters, cc eo. Von Kolnitz, G. W. Ragsdale, C . B. Anderson. n< Rights of Suffrage?B. R Tillman, tairman; A. H. Patterson, J. P. K. ti( ryan, R. H. Hodges, C. W. Garris, se . J. Bradham, H. J. Haynsworth, E. Harris, W. C. McGowan,C,J.C. bl utson, M. O. Rowland. H Finance and Taxation? W. D. Ev- is is, chairman; G-. E. Prince, ' W. J. at ilbert, J. P. Derham, J. H. Whar- ci n, F. P. Woodward, Jos. L. Keitt, ti . R. Lowman, T. J. Cunningham,C. ti< . Barry, E. J. Dennis. m Education?Julian Mitchell, chair- ti: an; R. B. Watson, E. H. Houser,R. w Gunter, Geo. S. Mower, H. C. Patn, A. H. Patterson, John J. McMa- bl in, T. I. Rogers, E. L. Lybrand, E. at Kennedy. ' hi J T> 1 Trc \^iittriwtuitJ auu Jt cnai luawtuwvur j? r. J. Gooding, chairman, J. P. Glenn, of J. Cummingham, 0. M. Boyle, H. df . Burn, W. T. Bowen, J. H. Bead, J. la . Sprotts, Sheppard Nash, W. S. cc amble, Jeremiah Smith. ty Municipal Corporations and Policejgulations-D. S. Henderson, chair- of an; W. C. Smith,W. F. Clayton, J. bt , Nathans, W. A. Nicholson, G. G. fii ells, Wilie Jones, J, D. Montgome- A , J. T. Hay, J. Perry Glenn, R. A. df eares. in Corporations?J. W. Stokes, chair- of an; G. D. Bellinger, J. L. Shuler, st B. Wilson, Geo. D. Bates, L. E. Js irler, Ira B. Jones, J. D. Montgome- (v , Hugh Barton, Jeremiah Smith, T. er Dudley. bj Militia?J. W. Floyd, chairman; J. be Otts, J. B. Wiggins, Jos. Oliver, D. ta . Behre, J. P. Derham, 0. R. Low- cc an, A. J. Smith, J. W. Gray, Rob- ui t Smalls, Sheppard Nash, w Printing-R. R.Hemphill,chairman; m H. Behre, W. F. Clayton, John B. m )nt, J. W. Hamel. se Contrngent Accounts and Expenses in F. Field, chairman; A. H. White, A. Nicholson, J. N. Nathans, R. q, Gunter, R. C. McMakin, H. B. U1 iist; E. P. Taylor, J. L. Keitt, W. tit , Fitch, J. J. McMahan. tr Amendments-J. B- Morrison,chair- th an; J. M. Hiers, J, Perritt, G. J. tu aham, A- S- Waters, J- S. Brice,R. g, McCaslan, E. F. Matthews, R. O- at ;kinson, R. M. McCown, W. J. or mppci. re Miscellaneous Matters?John T. ta oan, chairman ;W. H. Timmerman, q, '. E. Carver, J. C. Alexander, T. W. tu ice, A. H. DeHay, W. St. J. Jer- cr y, A. H. White, James Wigg, R.F. cu aith, E. H. Berry. te County Qovernment?J. T. Austin, di airman; Geo. D. Tillman, F. B. Aj irv, E. H. Redfearn, A. K. Smoak, te: E. Johnson, J. W. Kennedy, J. 0. Moore, J. C- Otts, A. J. Harrison, T1 R. Stackhouse. . sa Engrossed Resolutions and Ordi,nces?W. J. Montgomery, chair- H in; K. M. McUown, wm. Jienaer- he d, A. S. Farrow, M. P. Howell, I. til . Bowman, T. E. Dudley, H. H. qi array, L. E. Parler, T. M. Gilland, loraas Miller. th Order, Style and Revision?T. B. Q] asei^ chairman; B. R. Tillman, tit ar.yarne Wilson, C- M. Efird, J.W. w] okes, Julian Mitchell, D. S. Hender- ^ n, J. L. M. Irby, Robt. Aldrich, C. ol C. Hutson, J. E. Ellerbe, I. H. Mc- ^ ilia, R. R. Hemphill, H. Cowper m itton, W. J. Gooding.* tu Rules?J. G. Evans, ex-oflicio; Ira fn Jones, J. C. Sbeppard, C. W. Gar- sij i, J. E. Breazeale. ]a second day. Jl Columbia, S. C-, Sept.. 11.?The sec- J* d day's sesson of the convention ? irted "off with a rush and a great & al of business was gotten into snape m r action when the proper time comes. v'e principal features of the day. vi sre the refusal of the convention to uc urease their salaries to $4 per diem; th 0 appointment of various committees lis d the introduction of a number of iasures which their advocates would of :e to see incorporated in the organic ca -v of the State. The convention was pi lied to order a few minutes after 11 C< lock and. the session was opened ar th prayer by Rev. J. 0. Aoney. A esident Evans then announced the cl pointment of the standing commit- ar ). m President Evans also announced s following appointment: bs Assistant Clerk, P. L. Melton; Jour- w 1 Clerk, J. T. Gantt; Doorkeeper, co M. Jolly; Assistant Doorkeeper, da sephWitherspoon; Gallery Dooreper, W. J. Snelton; Postal Clerk, co P. Jenkins , Pages?Glenn Smith, seph Robinson, J. vB. Hughes, w afts Caughman, J. W. McCalla, R. Brooks, Jr. g* After a number of routine resolu- th ?ns were adopted a number of ordians were introduced which were re ed to the proper committees. ?e rhe question as to whether the memrs should not take the Constitution oath was next brought up by Mr. P1 igsdalde, of Fairfield, who was of e opinion that it was necesary in a der to make the action of the con- ?0 ntion legal and binding. After & nch discussion the matter was refer- at to the judiciary committee, which cided that it was not neccessary for y oath to be administrated to the da embers of the convention. ^ Mr. Prince of Anderson introduced ^ resolution to the effect that the con- ?* ntion form no new counties, but demine] what there area and other "i nditions shall be and allow the m igislature to act. Mr. Pince said the ject of the resolution was to relieve '? e convention of the importuities of 1X1 legation from counties waiting new urt houses. A number of such dele- P1 ,tions are here and the question P* ghtto be settled art once. If we into the new county matter we re iv as well Drenared to stav here r1' itil Christmas. After debate the Dther was referred to the proper ^ mmiitee. th The proposition to elect a chaplain is voted down, and the president of M e convention was requested to make th raneements for prayer at the open- ?0 g of the session. ^ A resolution that Mr. Cal vo be elect- w Srinter for the convention was votown, and the matter referred to fe e committee on printing. ^ After a running debate it was re- Si Ived that for the present the conven- h1 ?n would meet at 12 and adjourn at )'cloclc. The body then adjourned r? fhA flnv third day. Columbia, S. C.. Sept. 13.?The de nvention was oniy in session an ru >ur and a half yesterday. After fig insacting routine business the con- al. ntion was called on to consider a ed mplete constitution for the State, re lich was offered by Col. Robt. Al- T1 ich, of Barnwell. It covers every th bject in the present constitution and ikes some very radical and sweeping ru anges. Among other things his mi in provides for the election of mem- pe rs of the Senate and House of Rep- ua jentatives every four years. Eachlsu * 9 >unty shall have one Senator except harleston, which shall have two as 3W provided for. Perhaps the most startling innovaan is contained in the following two ctions: Section 12. No person shall be eligie to, or take or retain a seat in the buse of Representatives, unless he a white man, whg hath attained the je of twenty-one years, hath been a tizen and a resident of this State iree years preceeding the day of elecon, and hath been for the last six onths of this time, and shall conaue to be a resident of the county hich he is to represent. Section.13 Yo person shall be eligieto or take or retain a seat in the Sene, unless he is a white man, who ith attained the age of twenty-five iars, hath been a citizen and resident this State five years next preceding ly of election, and hath been for the st six months of this time, and shall intinue to be, a resident of the coun which he is to represent. Section 14. Senators and members the House of Representatives shall > chosen at a general election on the Tnaoi^atr At MnremW i n t.llfl TPAr Ob JL UOOUUJ VTA AlWI J nno Domini 1896, and on the same ty in every fourth year thereafter, such manner and for such terms of Bee as are herein directed. They tall meet on the second Tuesday in inuary bi-annually, at Columbia, rhich shall remain the seat of govnment until otherwise determined t the concurrence of two-thirds of >th branches of the whole represention,) unless the casualties of war or mtagious disorders shall render it isafe to meet there; in either of hich cases, the Governor or Comander in Chief, for the time being, ay, by proclamation, appoint a more cure and convenient place of meet? Section 25. The members of the eneral Assembly who shall meet ider this Constitution, shall be en;led to receive out of the public easury for their expenses aurine eir attendance on, going to, and rerning from the General Assembly, re dollars for each day's attendance, id twenty cents for every mile of the dinary route to travel between the sidence of the member and the capi1 or other place of sitting of tne eneral Assembly, both going and rerain?; and the same may be ineased or diminished by law if cir? imstances shall require; butnoalration shall be made to take effect iring the existence of the General dspmhlv which shall make such al ration. Article II and Section Two provides: le Governor shall be elected at the me time and by the electors duly lalifled to vote for members of the ouse of Representatives, and shall >ld his office for four years, and unhis successor shall t>e chosen and lalified. The Supreme Court, according to is instrument, must consist of a lief Justice and three Associate Jus;es, to be elected by the people and ho shall hold their office during good havior. They must meet- at least ice a year at the seat of government id as many times St other places as ay be determined on by the.Legislare. In case judges are disqualified am hearing any cause, the Governor all appoint men "learned in the w" to take their places. Circuit id?es shall also be elected by the sople. There shall be Common Pleas lcT General Sessions Courts, Probate >urts and others that the Legislature ay direct. An educational qualification is proded for the right of suffrage, the edition required being the ability of e voter to read and write the Engih language. These are some of the chief features a document that will no doubt use a great deal of debate when it operly comes before the convention. )1. Aldrich asked that it be printed id laid on the desks of members, fter some debate the convention deined to have the document printed, id it was referred to the proper comittee. Early in the proceedings Tom Miller id given notice that the seats of the rilliamsburg delegation would be ntested by the Republican candi,tes. He'asked that the chair ap>int a special committee to hear the ntestants. Mr. Gillard moved to table the bole business, but before it was put iller withdrew his motion on a sugistion from the Chair, who referred e matter to the committee on sufage. The convention then began the reption of various resolutions proposed r members, which were read for the st time by members and referred to oper committees. Senator B. R. Tillman introduced resolution for the formation of a new iunty, to be called "Mart Gary" oiif nf r>nrf,inns of Ederefield id Abbeville counties. Mr. Geo. D. Tillman introduced a solution for the formation of "Salui" county out of a portion of Edge;ld. This is the same plan that has sen before Legislatures for upwards forty years. Mr. Dudley introduced a resolution at divorce from the bond of matriony is prohibited. Mr. Sullivan introduced a resolution rbiddinff the consolidation of railads in this State. Mr. Gray introduced a resolution oviding for a board of pardons. It ovides that no pardon shall be grant1 by the Governor except upon the commendation in writing of the eutcnant Governor, Secretary of ate, Attorney General and Superinndent of the penitentiary, or any ree of them after full hearing, upon le public notice and in open session, r. Sullivan offered a resolution that e General Assembly may tax inmes provided that no income shall < taxed when the property from hich the income is derived is taxed. Resolutions were introduced also in ference to the homestead law, probiting towns aiding corporations, the ate credit, granting of charters, pro biting lotteries and some others oi inor importance. The convention en adjourned for the duy. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 13. The greater portion of the day was voted to the consideration of the les of the convention. The main ht was upon the question whether I papers introduced should be print, or only such papers as should be ported favorably by some committee, le Convention decided to print everymg. Miller of Beaufort tried to get in a le rquiring the Convention to subit the Constitution to a vote of the ople, on the second Tuesday in Janry, 1896. The president ruled that en a resolution should be considered x - "I* - - -. as a separate act of the Convention; ind it was referred to its proper committee . NEW ORDINANCES. Mr. W. C. Smith of Pickens introduced an ordinance forbidding the granting of scholarships or any special privileges to students in any State institution. Mr. 0. M. Doyle introduced an ordinance to limit the costs of partitioning, dividing and administering estates shall not exceed 10 per cent of the value of the same. Mr. J. P. Glenn introduced an ordinance to reqnire the several counties to make proper provision for its poor. By Mr. J. C. Otts: To establish the Court of Probate, in the same form in which it now exists. By Dr. J. Win, Stokes of Orangeburg : To abolish the Supreme Court and constitute a court of appeals to consist of all the circuit judges except AYI n ViAnwl fViA /IQIICQ 4 A nolo bUC UiiO VY LLU UCAiU bUO VttWW, IV WVO" blish a county court to sit once a month; and to substitute a county solicitor for the present circuit solicitors. By Mr. Hiers: To authorize majority of the taxpayes of any section, to form a new county, provided the counties cut shall not go below an area of 400 square-miles. Mr. Russell of Anderson: To fornj the new county of Washington, to be made up of parts of Abbevilre, Anderson, Greenville and Laurens. By Mr. Burns: To make the homestead exemption $1500, to be taken in either real or personal property. By Mr. Geo. D. Tillman. To assign the Representatives from each county to particular townsEips or sections thereof. By Mr. McCown: To prohibit the sale of liquors by individuals but authorizing "laws regulating the traffic bv State control. By Mr. Rogers: To abolish the right of dower in lands aliened by the husband in his lifetime. By Senator Tillman: To provide for the formation of new counties each to contain not less than 400 square miles, and not less than one one nundred and twenty-fourth part of all the inhabitants of the State, nor less than $1,000,000 of taxable property?provided that no existing county's area shall be reduced below 400 square miles. By Mr. Brice of York: To make the term of all State and county officers four years. By Mr. Patton of Richland: To regulate the suffrage?giving the right to vote to all male citizens who can read and write; or who pay taxes or at least $300 dollars worth of property: or who served in the Confederate army or navy; or who 19 bUO UUUOVUCaVWUU^/UU Ui u wuivw erate soldier or sailor. By Mr. Rogers of Marlboro: To fix in the Constitution the salary of every State and county officer. By Mr. Buist of Q-reenville: To reSuire the Legislature to provide for lemson College. By M, Hodges: To require the Legislature to levy an annual tax of three mills for the support of public schools, and to authorize every taxpaver to indicate to what school or schools his payment shall be applied. By Mr. Hodges," of Abberville: To prohibit ministers of the gospel from holding "any office of honor or trust in South Carolina. " By Mr. Geo. Johnstone of New berry: To regulate tlie suffrage. Dy requiring of every voter that he be able to read land write or that he own a certain amount of taxable property. By Mr. Brice of Chester: To make the term of all officers and of members of the Legislature four years. By Mr. Brice: To make the session of the Legislature bi-ennial instead of annual. By Mr. Stanyarne Wilson: To create "Enoree" county, out of portions of Spartanburg, Union, Laurens and Greenville, with Woodruff as its county seat. By Mr. R. H. Smith: To fix the homestead at $300 in land, not to exceed 50 acres, and all household and j kitchen furnitureBy Mr. Farrow of Charleston: To organize the judiciary, comprising Supreme Court, Circuit Court and County Courts. ' . ? None of the committees having yet reported?nodiscussion was had or any ordinance yet introduced. The committee on printing made a majority report reccommenuing tnai the present State printer continue the work at existing rates. The minority (Messrs. Behre of Colleton and Dent of Richland), dissented from this recommendation. CHARGED WITH MURDER. Beautiful Mrs. Howe Must Auswer For the Death of Her Stepson. Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 9.?There is great indignation here on account of the developments in the inquest over remains of the little 3-year-old son of Mr. M. S. Howe, who died under suspicious circumstances about a week ago. The evidence disclosed the facts that Mrs. Howe, the second wife of M.S. Howe, and the children's stepmother, had been guilty of the most brutal treatment toward all of the children, and especially Tommie, the little tot now dead. Two of the children, Fred and Harry, aged respectively 11 and 9, told of how Mrs. Howe had beat them and threatened their lives on divers occasions if they complained to their father; and finally, Fred was forced to leave home, Mrs. Howe threaten ingr to kill him if he ever returned. He found kind people at Coalburg who took him in and he was away when his little brother died. The other boy, Harry, gave a horrible account of the treatment of the baby the morning it died. He said Mrs. Howe caught the child up and threw it out into the yard, breaking a hole in its head. Blood came out of the little one's mouth, after she had jabbed a stick into its throat. There was other damaging testimony against the woman, one party, a constable, swearing that the woman had once been an inmate of a lewd house in this city and frequented the lowest quarter of the town. A negro woman swore to the cruel treatment of the children by Mrs. Ilowe and said that on two occasions she saw Mrs. Howe whip the baby with her hands because it insisted upon holding its breath. The testimony of the two little boys, which was given in a straightforward manner, seemed to fall with convincing force upon the ears of the jurors, onrl flio-tr tttoi-o nmmnl in l'eachinff a ****** W**VJ If VI V V??? f/w - ? ? - o J verdict charging the womau with the crime of murder. 1 BURNED OR 8UFFGCATED. FORTY MEN AND BOYS IMPRI80NED | IN A BURNING MINE. Nothing Co aid be Done for the Unfartan- 1 ate People, anil No Effort Is Being Xade 1 to Extlngnlah the Flamee - Left to Their S Horrible Fate. ] Calumet, Mich., Sept. 7.?About 3 , >| o'clock this afternoon fire broke out ' "fi. in the shaft of the Osceola mine, and ,v at this time it is more Amu probable that forty men and boys have been burned to death or suffocated. The names of the men known to be s in the mine are as follows: T. Bern- % bath, mine boss; Richard Bieket, Michael Johnson, Richard Grenfel, Richard Sufeljt, John Matzen, Jacob M Matzen, J acob ifrpant, Jtfrancis Lander, % Alex. D. Allen, John Cudlipp, Thomas '"* Curtis, Robert Johns, Peter Martini liamPDonald^Barney Elgorlf^itoine Scezweak, all miners, and Peter Stag- ~M ard and Walter Dohle, drill boys. The fire started in shaft No. 3, which M is used to carry the miners to the < surface from the mine, and when the | fire broke out all of the men and boys employed in the mine, about 200 in ; >] number, made a rush for the shaft, in the hope of being taken to the surface. The fire was too rapid for them, how- f| ever, and the chance of escaping by the shaft was entirely cutoff by flames and smoke. The majority of the im-i . prisoned miners made a Dreakfor a ^g? cross cut and in that way managed to reach another shaft, from which they -M were taken to the top. Forty wers . \~ missing when the roll was called. Within a short time after they had reached the surface, smoke besran pouring from all the shafts, and~the t escape of the men below was entirely cat off. The men in charge say now that there is not the slightest chancefor any of the men now in the' mine to escape with their lives. If they are not burned they must have been \, choked by the dense smoke within a short time after the fired started. Fortunately, the mine is fcot as heavily timbered as some of the mines ' ' in this locality, and it will not take it r-'Bs a great while to burn out. As matters _ now stand, there is not the slightest' . ^ thing that can be done for the men, and no effort ia being made to extinguish the flames. , There is nothing known of how the T fire originated. The fire broke out in the Twewtyseventh level. The Osceola is a cojk Sr mine, located two miles from ilumet. The scene at the opening of the shaft, where many of the men came ud. was deenlv heart-rending. s8 thousands having gathered around the ;'j?J mouth of the shaft, many women and children clinging around, looking for their husbands and fathers. Besides ^ the men named, many more are known to be entombed, but as yet it is impossible to obtain their naifces. They are mostly Austrian trimmers. Searching parties were sent down in Nos. 1 and 2 shafts, to try to reach them from the drifts leading to No. 3 shaft rm above the twenty-seventh level, but were unsuccessful. The mouths of the shafts have been all battened up-to stop all drafts, and all hope is now given up of ever rescuing the men alive. This is the greatest loss of life ^ that has ever occurred in the copper ^ country. pitiful indeed. ' ^ JIoughton, Mich., Sept 9.?Twenty women are widows and fifty children - , fatherless by the disaster in the Oa- ^jsS ceola mine. Most pitiful scenes are be- ago ing hourly witnessed in the vicinity of the shafts that have not yet been sealed, bereaved women and* children clinging to the spot in the desperate hope that some loved form may yet ?4-5 emerge from the opening. There were many today who censored Super intendent" Parnell who has general yR control of the Clark-Bigelow mines, 'M because he ordered No. 8 shaft in which the fire started to be hermetically sealed. Finally he felt com- -fjgn pelled to make a statement and he ac- *3 cordingly addressed a large gathering and explained that leaving the'shaft open would only give the tire more headway without in any way benefit- " ; ting the imprisoned men. Michael % Johnson lost his life by gofng down into the mine after Capt. Eawards, whom he supposed to be in the vicinity of the fire. In fact the fire was discovered by Edwards, and he went to get hose to extinguish the fames. Capt Edwards is almost heartbroken on Johnson's account. The actual damage to the mine cannot be heavy if the fire is smothered before it reaches other shafts. Three Hundred Lives Lost. Tegucigalpa. Honduras, Sept. 13. ?Earthquake here. Three -hundred Iah *ka nnn uoupiu jujllcu* jl ivpva mj avajw vvwjvvv. On Sunday, the shocks commenced, lasting all day and night, at intervails, causing much damage and the greatest fear among the inhabitants of the coitv and neighborhood. By Monday the city was filled by an addion of 3,600 people mountains and outlaying villages, during Monday night, sheets of flame appeared at points to the northward, rising to immense heights. Tuesdaymorning the shocks ceased, quiet was restored and peonle left town for their homes At 9o'clock that night however rumbline noises were heard, shortly after followed by a reappearance of the ilames in the mountains, which shot up several hundred feet. Fright tened people a^ain flocked to town and at midnight the church tower fell carrying with it the roofs of three houses. Nine people were killed and eighteen wounded. Shocks extended over the whole Yetapan chain and flames are seen also in the Pacava Mountains. The shocks have now ceased, but he smoke is still discernible different points in the mountains. It is feared that the end is not yet. Sulcldcd on His Wife'a Grave. Chapman, Kas., Sept. 9.-nJohn Crowley, an old resident, disappeared last Wednesday, and was searched for in vain. At 10 o'clock today he was found dead at the foot of his wife's grave in the Catholic cemetery, where he had committed suicide. Worms l-~'i nntnn ln'o and VwItj sn that Jiau caitu iiw -"-j ?? he was unrecognizable, except by his clothing. His wife, who died some time ago, had been mourned deeply by the suicide, and lately he had been very despondent. It is said by the New York Sun that the German smokeless power is unsat isfactory. Its smell is so frightful that even nostrils accustomed to the ripe cheese of the Fatherland cannot endure it Who knows that blank cartridges of the stuff may be sufficient to put the enemy to llignt.