____ KI Che annieg _ NO. 38
WEBSTER REPUBLICANS
MCKINLEY ENDORSED WI) H LITTLE
OPPOSITION.
A Platform Full of Platitudes and Phrases
That May Mean Anything-- Brayton and
His Faction Scored---Two White and
Two Colored Delegates.
COLUMBIA, S. C., April S-There
was very little of the "Lily White"
about the Webster Republican conven
tion which assembled in the hall of
the House of Representatives yester
day. It mostly was black, but here
and there among delegates was a
string of white or a yellow or tan col
or that lent a varigated hue to the
assemblage and, thus. prevented the
eye from being wearied with looking
on one solid color. The convention
was a long time in gathering. It was
called to meet at 12 o'clock, but at
that time there was only one delegate,
and he was white, in the hall, and he
satalone in his glory with a long silk
hat on his head. He was reading the
"McKinley" edition of the Cincinnati
Commercial Gazette, copies of which
had been distributed on every chair.
This edition contained a full page cut
of the leading Republican candidate,
besides about sixteen pages of glorifi
cation of hini. - The picture of McKin
ley was most prominently displayed
under the speaker's desk.
When the hour of meeting arrived,
the solitary delegate with the silk hat
was holding the fort alone, although
down in fr -nt of the State House the
faithful were caucussing and hobnob
bin, right along. Mr. Webster, the
chairman, who pulls the strings, how
ever, had the leaders in consultation
with him, mapping out the proceedings
of the convention, which, after meet
ing his approval, were subsequently
carried out to the letter. It was
twenty minutes to two o'clock before
Chairman Webster finally secured his
crowd together. They were mostly
black, as has been said, and most of
them were old stagers.
Among the white men were: Tom
Johnston, of Sumter, Ostendorif and
Smith of Charleston; Lathrop, of Or
angeburg; A C. Merrick, of Oconee;
Spratley, of Greenville; J. M. Robin
son, of Leurens; Robert Moorman, of
Newberry; Poinier, of Spartanbarg;
J. C. Clark- of Lancaster; F. M. But
ler, of Anderson and a half dozen or
so of Talberts of Abbevillo. Among
the well known colored men were
Smalls, Miller, Crum, Nix, Wilder,
Dlekerson, Fordham and others.
Mr. Webster at twenty minutes to
2 o'clock called the convention to or
der. Rev. J. H. Johnson, of Colum
b' acted as secretary. Mr. Webster
ed upon Rev. W. D. Chappelle
to open the exercises with prayer.
The prayer was mostly a statement to
the Supreme Being that the as
semblage - was one of statesmen
and hoping that the members
would return home and receive
the plaudits of their constituents. At
th. conclusion of the prayer, Mr.
Webster announced that Thos. E.
M -ler had been selected i temporary
chairman and Rev. J. H. Johnson
secretary;- This7 was rather cut and
dried, but it *ent, and.E. H. Deasof
Darlinzto started td make some sort
of motion whena delegate - arose and
said: "I motion that a committee of
three escort Mr. Miller to the chair."
A delegate started to nominate three
and was quickly followed by other
delegates with three other names, but
finally the number was reduced to
three and the chair appointed Janua
ryfivers, Major Fordham and Dr.
Wilson, all black or colored, who es
corted Midler to the chair. The chair
man made quite~ a lengthy speech in
which he uphneld the organization
which had just elected him chairman
and, also, gave Mr. Brayton and Mr.
Melton some heavy raps. These men
were spectators in the gallery at the
time and, indeed, during the whole of
the meeting. Miller said that he staod
where he did as the representative ox
an organization that had come down
from Randolph, Mackey, Webster
and Miller. It is true, he said, that
since 1876 we have been unable
to achieve 'Afctories at the ballot box:
is true that only in congressional dis
tricts have we had any candidates, y et
we are the representatives of Lhe party
exemplified by Randolph, who fell at
the hands of an assassin, and for
which Attucks died. There are traitors
in the party," he continued, and the
sentiment was reechoed throughout
the hall tby cries of: "Dat'sso;" "yes,"
etc. He went on to say that he was
not here for personal ambition, but to
preserve the party of Lincoln and Jef
ferson. (Loud cheering.)
The chairman said .there was no
half way ground. There 'were trai
tors led by E. M. Brayton, because
one-half of them don't know how to
-4 eme andsteal like he does. (Cheers.)
Bray n would be ready to drive out
every black man from the party to
accomplish his purpose. Speaking of
socia egnalityg he said that he would
rather be dammned than be in con
nection with white men, who thought
that political atliliations would give
them social position. There are white
men in South Carolina who have be
come "Lily Whites" to escape the
odium of being Republicans. For
these people I have no fellowship, the
chairman~declared, and numerous evi
desce of approval were heard among
the delegates, be such exclamations as,
"That's so;" --Talk more Miller."
Continuing, the chairman said that
he did not believe in social equality.
Although he had been in Democratic
and Republican leaders' councils, still
he had never confounded his political
with his social status. He went on to
say that Clayton, who had been in
Fairfield organizing Republican clubs,
was but an off shoot of the old Hen
drix, McLane and Russell crowd, and
outside of the handsome and well
dressed gentleman from Columbia,
Capt. Meltnu one traitor could be
found, E. Mi. Brayton.- (Loud cheers)
Do nothing to weaken us at St. Louis,
he continued.
A delegate: "Bob Small a good
man."
Notwithstanding this interruption,
which caused laughter, the chairman
proeeded and said that no "Lily
Whte" delegation would be admitted
to the St. Louis convention; while
United States Senators and Represen
tatives might say in the privacy of
their rooms that the negro was an in
cubus on the Republican party, still
no candidate at tne convention would
dare say such a thing or even give
hint to such a thought. After express
ing his thanks for the honor conferred
on him, the chairman declared the
convention open for business.
Deas called for the reading of the
n amso delegates- and Chairman
Miller asked whether there were any
contests. None showing uo the call
ing of the roll was proceeded with.
When Charleston was reached Dr.
Crum, who was appointed by Harri
son, postmaster of that city, but who i
didn't zet it, asked that tie name of
J. J. Young be substituted for that of
G. I. Cunningham.
Chairman Miller, interrupting, read
the following telegram:
To the Republican Convention:
Circumstances over which I have
no control prevent my attendance, I
but I recognize this couvention as the
only Republican convention in South
Carolina. G. I. Cunningham.
The reading or this message was, of
course, received with loud cheering.
Deas, of Darlington, then moved
that the election of four delegates to
the St. Louis convention be entered
upon, but suspended it to allow Dr.
Crum to offer a resolution that a com
mittee of .ive be appointed on resolu
tions and platform. That was merely
prefunctory, however, as the platform
was already written and typewritten
copies had been furnished representa
tives of the newspapers. Still the form
had to be zone through with and, at
the suggestion of a member from
Berkeley, the committee was made
seven instead of five and were appoint
ed as follows: Cram. Dickersonu, G. A.
Reed, C. J. Pride, John R Tolbert,
E. A. Webster, Dr. Wilson.
The following official list of dele
gates was then announced:
Abbeville-J. R. Taloert, R. R. Tal
bert, Jr.. J. W. Talbert, R.R. Taloert,
Sr., H. H. Owens, Alternate: L C.
Waller.
Aiken-E. J. Dickerson, A S. John
son, B. B. Chatfield.
Anderson-W. A. Clark, F. M But
ter, M. S. Smith, T. J. Harris, J. J.
Martin.
Barnwell-W. S. Dixon, P. B. Mc- 1
Knight, Thos. G. Robinson, Samuel
Nix.
Beaufort-Robt. Smalls. Geo. Reid,
January Rivers, Thos. E. Miller.
Berkeley-D. T. Middleton, R. H.
Jenkins, T. S. EdHards, BeDj. Mills.
Charleston-W. D. Cru-n. J. J. I
Young, T, H. Jones, R. C. Brown, J.
E. Ostencorff, W. H Burney, J. W.
smith, D. L. Adams, Fred Jenkins.
Chester-Addison Walker, Jonas 1
MeCullough, W. C. Archie.
Chesterfield-M. D. McFarland, E. I
B. Burroughs.
Clarendon-R. A. White. S. M.
Walker, F. M. Benoow.
Colieton-E. D. Bennett, D. W. ]
Rabertson, D. 0. Edwards, C. W.
Eichardson, Jas Green.
Darlington-E. H. D tas, L. W. 1
Wines, J. T. Rafra.
Edgefield-P. Simkins,B. W. Jones,
Wash Mackey.
Fairfield-R. L. Douglass, I. S.
Byrd, I. F. Moore.
Florence-J. E. Wilson, M. W. <
Earrell, A. C. Harrell.
Georgetown-J. A. Baxter. <
Greenville-L. F. Goldsmith, R. J.
Bratley, H. Sims, W. B. Mason, J. 1
W. Miller, Wm. Tnompson.
Hampton-P. H. Riley, D. Hayes.
Horry-T. B. Gordan. N. W. Goss. t
Kershaw-Franklin Pierce, W. B. t
Barris, W. W. Carter. t
Lancaster-F. R. Massey, Joseph
lIark. t
-Laurens-P. S. Suber, J. W. Rob
zrtson, F. W. Williams.
Marion-J. - C. McCall, Scipio. P. ]
Simmons, R E. Moore. t
Marlboro-E. J. Sawyer, R. A.
Drake, a. w. Wines.
Newberr--R. E. Williams, Sime
2n Young,~P. R. Hamilton.
Oonee-H. C. Merrick, S. G. Wig
gins.
Orangeburg-E A. Webster, J. H.
Fordhamn, A. Latnrop, C. Pelling. H.
A. Bostick.t
Pickens-P. S. Little, A. M. Folger.
Richland-C. M. Wilder, N. A.
Lewis, T. H. Weston, L. C. Scott.
Saluda-L. C. Lindsay. John A,
Daniels.
Spartanburg-A. F. Means, E. D.
Lituejohn, N. T. Bawen, Levi Wat
son, . C. Brown, John L. Young- 1
Sumter-T. B. Johnson, J. H.~Bel
ser, W. T. Andrews, W. W. Ramsey,i
Jr., M. J. Sumter.
Union-E. B. Dawkins, E. Little-]
john, P. R. Davidson
Williamsburg-A. Tisdale, Jamesi
Thorpe, Fortune Gyles
York-C. J. Pride, J. J. Massey, J.
M. Clinton, Thios. Simpson.1
Nominations being in order, there
was an hour or so grandiloquent ora-i
tory in making nominations and in
seconding them. Dtas nominated<
Webster; Miller, "the chieftain of the,
Republican cause," Robert Smalls;
Dixson suggested Dickerson; Ramseyi
nominated T. B. Johnson; Jones of
Charleston, nominated WV. D). Crum;
H. H. O wens put before the conven-<
tion John R. Talbert of Abbeville.
There were a number of speeches sec-<
onding these nominations, but Deas,<
in a speech, spoke of the repudiation
of Byton by Republicans and his
corruption and his swinging on the<
coattail of Melton.
Mills of Berkeley raised the point ofi
order that Deas had no right to at
tack a man's character in seconding a
nomination.
Deas said he dared appeal from the
decision of the chair. He would havei
that stopped, he said, but for wolves
in sheep's clothing in the convention.1
Mills: "You are the biggest wolf in
the convention."
The chair, finally, held that Mr.
Brayton's record was not before the
convention and cautioned members to
confine themselves to the nominations.
At least twelve or fif teen delegates
noisily addressed the chair at the same
time and. moved that nominations1
close. Amid a great deal of confusion
the chair decided that the ayes had it.
and appointed the following teliers:
Rev. E. B. Burroughs, J. H. Osten
dorff and A. Lathrop.
Te vote resulted as follows: Web
ster, 120; Smalls, 109; Crum, 90;
Johnston, 90; Dickerson, 43; Talbert,1
35. The first four were declared elect-1
.Delegate Lewis of Columbia moved1
that Thomas E. Miller be elected al
ternate by acclamation, wvhich was
unanimously adopted. On motion of
General Smnalls Dickerson and Talbert
were, also elected altezrnates. There
was no other alternate to be chosen.
January Rivers, of Beaufort, moved
that Mr. J. H. Ostendorif be unani
mously elected. Deas objected to this
and put in nomination Rev. Burroughs
and Allen. The latter declined. Then
pandeoninin reigned for fifteen or
twenty minutes, at least t wenty mem
bers demanding recognition and call
ing loudly for it. Finally quiet was
restored, and C. M. Wilder, of Column
bia, nominated suber, of New berry.
Mr. J. HI. Ostenidortf withdrew and
Suber was elected by a vote of 75 to
37. Suber is a colored man. The
delegation stands: two white and two
colored with three colored and ne
white alternate.
Dr. Crum of Charleston precipitated
a big row over resolutions endorsing
McKinley, which were expressed in
the following language:
Resolved, That the Republicans of
South Carolina recognize in Hon.
Wm. McKinley, of Ohio, the most de
voted champion of the Republican
policy of protection and reciprocity;
that we honor with him as a defender
of a sound system of finance, and be
lieve in him as a type of the best
American citizenship, in both public
and private life; and that we hereby
express to the delegates elected to the
St. Louis convention our judgment
that they should use all reasonable
and honest efforts to secure his nomi
nation for the Presidency.
Chairman Miller left the chair and
put Delegate Brown of Charleston in
it. in order to oppose the resolutions.
He held that McKinley was no more
a leader of the party than was Allison,
Reed or Morton and delegates should
not be sent to St. Louis with the badge
rf any candidate about their necks.
He didn't believe delegates should go
there with metallic badges on their
necks, which, probably, was a delicate
allusion to the metallic jingle they
usually felt in their pockets by reason
of their votes.
Ford ham favored the resolutions be
:ause the rank and file of the people
were for McKinley. Delegates were
not sent, he said, to St. L>uis for
their own aggrandizement, but to give
expression to the will of the people.
G. A. Reed. of Beaufort, spoke
against the resolutions, holding that
lelegates should be sent to St. Louis
antramamelled and should vote for the
hoice of the people of the country.
After a long parliamentary wrangle
is to who was entitled to the floor,
jhairman Webster, of the committee,
inally got a hearing and said that he
regarded the resolutions the most op
ortune that could be adopted. He
idn't want to see delegates who
would jump on either side to the win
uiag man. They should be men of
riuciple. He had been a Reed man,
)ut since we had four contesting Con
fresmen and two of them had been
Reed man. - (Cheers.) He was not for
Earrison. Every district in Indiana
ad declared for McKinley. Wiscon
sin did the same thing, although she
-ad a favorite son. He was for Mc
Einley. (Cheers.) * He believed it
would be an impertinence in South
Jarolina, which couldn't cast a single
Republican electoral vote, to stand out
gainst the people's cho-ce. McKinley
:ould only be defeated by the machina
tions of politicians. He was willing to
stake the organization of the Republi
:an party in this State on-=the sudcess
)s the people's candidates.
General Smalls said he was pleased
o see that something had made the
:hairman of the committee -make a
speech. It had been asserted that he
:ouldn't make a speech,.but something
nade him do it today. He (Smalls)
iad been'favorable to Allison, and he
would stay at home before he would
e tied, hanid and foot, by any resolu
ions. Odier men had been sent to
he convention tied, but when they got
here, they weren't tied.
Miller, offered the following substi
ute.
Resolved, That we request onr. dele
rates to.support either Allison,:Reed;
Horton or McKinley by their acts. at
he national convention and assist in
1minatig a strong man. - .
The substitute was lost by an of'er
ihelming vote, and the MfcKinley
-esolutions were adopted.
Deas introduced the following reso
ution, which was adopted: "That.
n early State convention be called to
1minate a State and electoral ticket
be voted foi-at thecoming election."
The convention, then, after the usua5
-esolutions of thanks to officers, at 5:50
djourned.
THE PLATF'ORM.
The following platform was adopted:
The Republican party of Sauth Car
lina through their chosen representa
ives in convention duly assembled in
he capital of the State, undaunted by
ntrigue of designing men for their de
struction, congratulate their fellow
tepublicans everywhere upon the
splendid victories achieved by the party
broughout the country, in State, Con
fressonal and Senatorial elections, as
sell as upon the propitious signs of the
imes of coming victory f ar the Repub
ican party in the Presidential election
.n November of the present year.
.We reaffirm our faith inthe doctrine
>f protection toL American industries
which under wise Republican legisla
ion more than any principle of any
arty has maintained the onward
narch of prosperity for the working
nen of our country, by the reduction
>f prices of manufactumed articles of
fneral consumption and by levying
ities upon such imports coming inito
sonpetition with the productsof Amer
.can labor, as well as to equalize the
selling price thereof to the cost of pro
luction of similar articles of American
aroduction, and prevent home labor
n its overcrowded condition of pau
aerism.
We stand with our party in the reit
~ration of its demand for --both gold
tnd silver as standard money " We
elieve that legistation shoald secure
id maintain the party of ys lues of the
wo metals, to a he end tha; the pur
bhasing and debt-paying power of the
Aerican dollar, silver, gold and pa
per, shall bo the.sam' any and every=
.vere. We believe that bimetallismn
done can sure this result.
The right to cast a free ballot in
public elections and have it fairly
ounted and honestly returned, is of
the esssnce of Amnei-ican citizefiship,
nd any attempt to abridge that right
except for the commission of crime,
for which the party shall have been
luly convicted, strikes at the very
root of our government and saps the
foundation of the highest American
institution, the government founded
by the people, for the people, and of
the people.
We appeal to the people of the State
to enforce the wise atnd timely provi
sions of the new Constitution to sup
press lynching, and ask ministers of
the gospel and the public press to join
us in.a righteous crusade by teaching
respect for law and order on the one
hand, and regard for the virtue of
women on the other, while prompt and
exact justice be meted out in the courts
of law for all crimes, whether commnit
ted by the one or the many, in secret
or openly. We contend that forcible
resistance to the mob by the officers of
the law, even if members of the mob
must be shot down to prevent the con
summation of the wick-ed purpose of
their assembling, will go a far way to
war preventing the recurrence ot the
scenes that have disgraced certain por
tions of the State and will prove a
wholesome lesson which will generally
be heeded throughout the State.
'The reconition of bel lierent rights1
to the Cubans, engaged in a war for
independence from Spain, would be
but a tardy act of justice, founded up
on general humane principles, and in
k-ping with the lessons taught by the
United States, the foremost of Ameri
can governments, especially since the
advent of the inhuman Weyler upon
the scene. We endorse the wise act of
Congress to take decisive action in the
premises, an act which will thus force
peace by shortening the struggle and
minimizing the destruction of life and
property.
He join the progressive spirt of the
nation which prompted Congress to re
move the disabilities of ex-Confederate
soldiers, thus fogetting the war and
bringing in closer touch the whole of
the American people to the end of pro
moting more general unselfih and gen
uine patriotism, North and South, East
and West, for our grand and glorious
country, proving the grand old party
a national and not a sectional party,
that even ex-Confederate soldiers can
join in defiance of- the taunts and
sneers of those who have outlived their
usefulness, but not their prejudice.
Upon thiq platform we are willing to
be judgeti, willing to stand or fall,
and we call upon all patriotic South
Carolinians, without regard to past af
filiations, to join us in our efforts to
promote these ends by the election of
Republican Congressmen and a Re
publican President and Vice President
of the United States in November next.
We assure all of a hearty welcome in
our ranks and ample rewards for their
faithful services by sharing with them
the results of our achievements, and
proper recognition by elevation as their
worth and character may demaud, to
bonor and place.
THE WEATHER AND CROPS.
Crop Season and Vegetation in General is
Backward.
This bulletin covers the weather and
crop conditions for the week ending
with Saturday. April 4, and in its
preparation were used reports from
one or more correspondents in each
county of the State.
The general weather conditions du
ring the past week favored the farmers
in the preparation of lands for plan
ing, but during the latter portion of
the week were generally unfavorable
for germination of seeds and growth
of vegetation.
The mean temperature for the State
was about 62, the normal for the same
period is approximately 59. The first
four days were extremely warm,
which condition ended in general
thunder showers during the evening
and night of the first (Wednesday),
and was followed by falling tempera
ture, to the freezing point over the
western portion of the State on Friday
(3d). Light frost was general on the
morning of the 3d and 4th (Friday
and Saturday), but fruit and vegeta
bles were apparently uninjured by it.
The highest temperature reported
was 92 degrees at Shaw's Forks, Aiken
county, on March 31st. The lowest 30
degrees, at Reid, Greenville county,
on the morning of April 3d. Minima
temperature of 32 degrees were report
ed as far eastward as Orangeburg
county on the morning of April 3.
The ground is very dry, for with the
exception of February, when tniere
was decided and general excess, there
has been a deficiency in rainfal during
each month since last September. The
amount that fell during March, 1826,
was about onie-third the usual amount.
This condition was favorable for
plowing and preparation of lands for
planting, so that now lands are practi
ally all prepared for the usual spring
rops.
The rainfall during the past week
came in one series of thunder sho wers
during the evening and night of A pril
1st, and was quite general over the
State.. The rainfall was for the most
part light, but at Greenville and Lit
tle Mountain the measurements were
1.39 and 1.38 inches respectively. The
average amount of all places reported
rainfall was Q.66 inches. In a few lo
alities the rainfall was heavy enough
to wash lands badly.
The sunshine averaged about 60 per
cent, of the possible, with the highest
percentages in the northwestern por
tions of the State and'the lowest in the
central portion. There was- a high
wind, of short duration during the af
ternoon of April 1st, -but with the ex
eption of uprooting a few trees and
blowing down some fences, it did very.
little damage.
The crop season and vegetation in
general is backward, owing to the pre
vailing cold weather during the month
of March. The germination -of early
planted seed was slow and such corn,
potatoes, etc., that were up were nip
ped u; the frost of Friday but not en
tirely destroyed. The dryness of the
ground has also been against rapid
germination or growth, nor were the
rains of the week sufficient to remedy
this adverse condition.
Corn planting has been pushed in
the eastern half of the State and gen
erally begun elsewhere. The ground
is dry enough to permit the planting
of b":tom lands as well as uplands.
Ground is quite generally prepared
for cotton, but as yet little has actual
ly been planted except in the south
eastern counties where considerable
has been planted, part of which is of
the sea island variety.
Wheat is looking well generally and
free from insects. except in Orange
burg county where alessian flies have
appered.
'Tue general condition of fall oats is
good, and but two correspondents,
both from tee same county, report
poor stands. Like all other vegetation
oats are making slow growth.
The truck farmers along the cost re
port early vegetables ready for ship
ment, but that generally tae sesscn is
late; eighteen days late one corres
pondent states.
It appears to be the concensus of
opinion among correspondents that
peaches are only partially injured, if
at all, and that apples, pears and other
fruits generally were entirely nnin
jured by the late and previous freez
mg weather.
Gardens are for the most part very
back ward.
The opening of the crop season can,
at this time be briefly summarized in
this way. F5armers are well up with
their work; fall sown crops look
promising; but it is generally too cool
and dry, the latter being the more se
rious draw back.
A Kansas newspaper wound up a
compliment to a young schoolma'am
with a good word about "the reputa
tion for teaching she bears." The
next day the schcolma'am met the ed
itor and chased him down the street
with a blue umbrella, and at every
jump in the road she screamed that
she had never taught a she bear in all
he life.
A LIVELY MEETING
OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE EXECU
TIVE COMMITTEE.
Chairman Irby Makes a Big Speech in
Favor of His Views, but the Committee
Referred the Whole Matter to the State
Convention.
CoLUMBIA, S. C., April 7.-When
the Democratic State executive com
mittee met tonight there was quite a
gathering of visitors, composed of Co
lumbians and many from outside of
the city interested in the procedingu of
the committee. The Senate chamber
was selected as the place of meeting in
view of its commodiousness, but it
subsequently proved to be entirely too
large and to have too many places of
observation had any one been inclined
to eavesdrop. When the committee
met the usual formality of the roll-call
was temporarily suspended and Chair
man Irby took the middle of the aisle
and had at least one say before the
doors were closed.
He spoke extemporaneously and
said that he had called the committee
together, as the representatives of the
Democracy, for two reasons. As this
was a Presideptial campaign year it
was necessary to make a good start.
Under the Democratic constitution
there is an ambiguity as to when the
local clubs should be called together.
In one place it seems to be provided
that the club meetings should be held
the first week in May, and in another
section that time is provided for the
county convention. This is a most
important matter. He recommended
that the committee fix a certain day
for all clubs to meet and another day
for the county convention. The party
constitution provided that the State
convention meet on the third Wed nes
day in May. Another reason for the
eall, and one that was of vital and
great importanuce not only to the suc
cess of the Democratic party in the
State, but in the nation, had to be con
sidered. He said that he felt that if
the members could appreciate the feel
ing he had for the success of the Dem
ocratic party and supremacy of the
white people, they would pardon his
trespassing on the time of the com
mittee. Thecommittee, notwithstand
ing any challenge that might have
been made against it, is a true Demo
cratic committee. It is the successor
of the committee of 1876, and it is the
only committee that had right to the
name since 1890. It is entitled to all
the legal rights of the committee that
won the victory of '76. The first
chairman of the committee was Judge
Haskell, and then CoL Moore or Gen.
Kennedy, and then Col. Hoyt, and
this committee as their legal successors
are here rather as Democrats than as
bolters, or as deserters, and the respon
sibility is upon us as their successors.
I assume my shire of the responsibility
and say that we have come to a crisis
in the very existence of the party, and
as chairman of the Democracy I dare
speak out and. warn you of the danger
that threatens us. We have come to
the time when there is a division in
our ranks, and the issue must be fairly
met. We cs.me into control of the
machinery under a direct pledge that
we would continue it as Democrats,
and if we are ready to desert our party,
the party of our fathers, then let us be
men enough., and bold enough and
honest enough to say so and go and
join any part y of our choice, and not
masuerade as Democrats. The peo
pe gaye mue the position as chairman
of the Democracy and I claim to be a
Democrat of Democrats, and that I
have henestly been the trustee of the
true element. The Democracy has
been threatened. We have met the
Conservatives in open fight and we
have survived the shock of Indepen
dentism. Now we are met with per
haps more serious opposition. We are
challenged by a distinguished Demo
crat. We are challenged by one who
has been one of its greatest beneficia
ries since the war. We are told in
so many words, that if this State does
not get what she wajits in the National
Convention her little eighteen men
are going to say to the thousand dele
egates: "We are going to bolt."
Eighteen men are going to say to this
great country that this State will not
stand this or that. I speak not as a
candidate for any office, but as chair
man of this committee and as a Demo
crat. It is not honest for us to bind a
certain element of the State to the
nominees for officers, and when they
want us to be bound to the nominees
of the national party to prepare for a
bolt. What's sauce for the goose
ought to be sauce for the gander. The
proper thing to do is to go into the
fight and stand by the result and work
for a glorious victory of the Democ
racy.
As soon as chairman Irby had fin
ished his talk he directed Secretary
Tompkins to call the roll and that dem
onstrated that there were only three
absentees, those from Georgetown,
Kershaw and Colleton. A telegram
was received from Mr. Kirkland, of
Kershaw, in which he said that his po
siton, and he believed that of Kershaw
was to abide the result of the National
Convention.
It was then that the unexpected hap
pened. The newspaper men had been
given tc understand that they would
not only be welcomed, but that they
would be expected, but it seemed that
as if another programme had been
ma p pdout.
Mr. Evans moved that the commit
tee go into executive session, and he
said that it was very evident to all
who had the interest of the Democratic
party at heart that its enemies should
not know all the secrets, and that if
there were any divisions they should
be healed tonight. Sheriff Braham
seconded the motion.
Mr. Gadsden, of Charleston, opposed
the motion, and said that the commit
tee was to discuss the interests of the
whole people, and that the people
should have a chance to be present and
see and hear all that was done.- The
people have as much at heart what
was being done as anyone, and they
were entitled to see what their repre
sentatives were doing in their interests.
There was no doubt that the newspa
pers would get all they wanted about
the meeting, and there was no use to
have a garbled report given the papers
when the reporters were present to
give an accurate account.
The secret session elemen;, however,
carried the day by a vote of 15 to 8.
Those voting in favor of keeping the
doors open were Messrs. Martin, Cun
ningham, Parrott, Gray, Irby, Jones,
Keels, Jackson and Gadsden. Those
for closing the doors were: Messrs. A.
Y. Jones, Jordan, Mayfield, Sweeney,
Badham, Watson, Traylor, McCowan,
M~weeney, Derham, Elliott, Evans,
W. D. Sgh, SRiblng, arle, Tow
man, Redfearn, Efird, Montgomery,
Robinson, Bennett, A. C. Lyles,
Black well, Glenn and Donaldson. So
the newspaper men got up and left
with the balance of the crowd.
Then Mr. McSweeney tried to have
the representatives of the press admitt
ed, but that failed, and the committee
went to work with blissful thoughts
of its own security. After the press
had been disposed of Mr. Evans
thought it best to appoint doorkeepers.
Mr. Lyles, of Fairfield, was allowed
the privilege of the floor. It was de
cided that the county clubs meet on
Saturday, the 2d of May, and the
county convention on the frst Monday
in May, and the State Convention on
the third Monday in May.
Then the fight of the night began.
Mr. Sligh, of Newberry, offered the
following resolutions:
Whereas, since this executive com
mittee is acting under authority dele
gated to it by the Democratic party of
South Carolina, and therefore possesses
no original powers; be it
Resolved, That in the opinion of
this executive; committee it would be
transcending its powers to undertake
to decide issues and questions which
belong appropriately to the Democrat
ic State Convention. But it is further
more the opinion of this committee
that it is unwise to discuss all such is
sues and questions since it would be an
effort to forestall the action of the
sovereignty of the people, and further
more, t t the only duty this execu
tive committee can properly perform
is to direct the reorganization of the
local Democratic clubs and the hold
ing of county conventions and that of
St ate conventions.
Mr. Sligh took the position that the
matter called to the attention of the
committee by Chairman Irby could
not 1e officially acted on, as it was not
properly before the committee,iwhich
had no right to act. The committee
was the servant of the people and could
not pass on any qualification and had
nothing to do with any personal con
troversy between two Senators.
Senator Irby said that the committee
had ample power to act in the absence
of a convention, and it was all wrong
to talk about the committee being
powerless.
Then Gen. Gray came to the front
with the following resolution:
Whereas, an issue has been raised
questioning the loyalty of the Demo
cracy of South Carolina to the national
Democratic party, and whereas a sug
gestion has been made that delegates
to the National Democratic Conven
tion from this State should bolt the
National Democratic Convention on
certain contingencies; and whereas
tho State Democratic executive com
mittee considers it would be suicidal
on the part of the Democrats of South
Carolina to sever its connection with
the national Democracy, now be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
committee that no person shall be
eligible to membership in Democratic
clubs who is not a qualified voter at
primaries of the party as provided by
the constitution of the party, and who
will not pledge himself to support the
nominees of the State and national
Democracy.
Gen. Gray supported his resolution
with an extended speech, in which he
cited the Constitution for the authori
ty for passing the resolution he pro
posed. He urged that the issue had to
be met, and should be met at once.
Senator Irby made another and a
redhot speech in favor of the Gray
resolutions, and said that the commit
teemen were the watchmen on the
Democratic tower and were responsi
ble for the safety of the party. The
committee was acting under powers of
the last Convenfon, and if it could
not act there was no need for a coin
mittee. He wanted to know if the
committeemen would want to open
the doors so that Republicans and
Populists might come in and capture
the clubs and send delegates to Chicago
Do the members now allow Republi
cans to came in and vote in their pri
maries? Does anyone now vote ex
cept under a pledge to support the
nominees, whoever they may be? The
committee is either responsible to the
Democratic, Populist or Republican
party, and if it stands for Democracy
it should look to its interests alone.
He said that it was a most remark
able thing that when it came to a State
election the committee was anxious
enough to bind all who participated,
but that when it came to a national
election there was a desire on the part
of some to avoid being placed under
the very pledge that was exacted of
ethers. Every voter in 1892 and 1894
was made to go under a pledge, and
there was no objection to it. at that
time, and it was a very poor rule that
did not work well both ways. Was
the party going backwards and to
abandon the whole principle of pledir
ing, or was it to apply only when it
did not hurt those who wvere making
the ruld~ A bolt seemed to be pro
posd before there was any cause or ex
cuse for it. If free silver was ever to
be gotten he did not think it could
possibly be secured by a bolt. The
only thing for the South to do was to
stand by the party through thick and
thin. The national party has done
too much for this State for it to drift
off at this time. He was very empha
tic in his warnings to the committee
that if it sanctioned a bolt trouble
would be sure to result. It would be
the ruin of the Democratic party.
Mr. Blackwell, of W ihiamnsburg,
made a strong argument against the
Gray resolutions and said that if Cleve
land was a Simon-pure Demccrat then
he was no Democrat at all. The Con
vention alone had any right to do any
bmding and the committee had no
business taking up such matters,
Mr. Sligh and Senator Irby had a
general and free discussion, during
which Mr. Sligh asked him if he
would bolt the Convention if a gold
bug were nominated and he were sent
under instructions to bolt or some
thing like that, and Senator Irby re
plied: Before God and man I would
not.
Mr. Gadsden, of Charleston, took
up the fight for the Gray resolutions.
He said that the Democracy had done
but little for the Conservative wing.
which he represented, and that the
national tie was about the only tie
that wa~s binding his people to the par
ty. Now if it was intended to break
tha:; link it would not be long before
another and a real Democratic organ
ization would be started. He wanted
to see the committee stand by the De
meracy and he saw no better plan
than to p ass the Gray resolution.
Sheriff Braham, of Clarendon, did
not think it well for the committee to
forestall the action of the May Conven
tion.
Then it was that Mr. Efird came in,
and offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That each county chair
mae requested+. to call a meeting of~
each Democratic club in his county to
be held on the second day of May,
1896, for the purpose of organizing the
clubs for ensuing campaign; of elect
ing one executive committeeman to
represent the club in the county execu
tive committee for the ensuing two
years, of electing one representative
for each twenty five names or majori
ty fraction thereof on the club roll at
the first iast preceding primary elec
tion, to represent the club in the coun
ty convention to be held at the county
seat on the first Monday in May, and
he is further requested to call a meet
ing of the Democratic county conven
tion to be held at the county seat on
the first Monday in May, 1896, at 11
o'clock A. M., for the purpose of elect
ing a county executive committee and
a State executive committeeman for
the next ensuing two years, and of
electing the number of representatives
to which his county is entitled, to rep
resent such county in the State Demo
cratic Convention to be held at the
State Capital on the third Wednesday
in May, 1896. That the clubs and
conventions in their actions hereun
der will be governed and guided by
the constitution of the Democratic par
ty of South Carolina, adopted in State
Convention, at Columbia, S. C., Sep
tember 19, 1894.
Mr. Efird, Mr. Mayfield and Mr.
Montgomery favored the resolutions
as the best way out of the trouble and
as neither side appeared to want to
cometo a direct vote the Efird com
promise was accepted without a divi
sion and amid laughter. It.was a un
animous vote.
No one forced a vote on either of the
other resolutions and so few expressed
themselves in open court that it would
not be safe to say how the vote would
have stood. After the peace and love
resolutions had been adopted the com
mittee adjourned, apparently in the
best of humors and with cordial expres
sions, but apparently with a. bit.of a
blade showing for the next fight. The
committee members were paid off and
went home to tell their people what
they did.-News and Courier.
THE STATE DISPENSARY.
The Profit Feature to Be Eliminated in
The Future.
At a recent meeting of the Board of
Control of the State Dispensary rules
were adopted defining the dutiss of
the various officers and employees of
the Dispensary, and these rules will
be stringently enforced, and the Board
will not view with leniency any in
fringement of them by any one from
commissioner to porter. At its next
meeting the State Board will. apint
county boards of control in the
counties of the State, as the old boards
cannot continue to serve under the
new law unless reappointed. The
members of the various county boards
will most likely be made members of
the new boards, except those against
whom substantiated complaints are
made. Changes will not be made ex
cept where the Board has reason to
believe that they will be benefcial.
At the next meeting the Board will
take up the question of the enforce
ment of the law by the county dispen
sers and will adopt rules for their gov
ernment. The aim of the board will
be to devise such rules as will result
in an administration of the law as
will make the most of its beneficial
features and restrict the oinsumption
of liquor as much as possible. The
county dispensers can begintoprepare
at once for these rules; if they do not
obey them' to the letter, and in the
spirit as well, the Board 'will officially
decapitate them without the slightest
hesitation or regret. The Board is de
termined to run the dispensary system
without a single loose screw. The
Board did not discuss the prices at
which liquors shall be sold in the
county dispensaries; that matter will
be attended to at the May meeting.
Some attention was paid to the tour
ist hotel and beer privileges, but action
was deferred until the next meeting in
order to give the Board opportunity to
examine into the operation of those
privileges. There was no complaint
against the granting of -those privileg
es, but there were some charges that
those privileges have been abused by
some of those to whom they have
been granted. If the Board finds that
this is the cs it is likely that it
will take away te privilege from the
person so abusing it. ' This warning
should be sufficient to make those who
have these privileges comply'- strictly
with the terms unon which they were
granted. The Beard is thoroughly in
earnest and will not be trifled with by
any body.
In reference to the complaints of the
whiskey drummers that they were
not given a chance to go before the
Board and p resent the merits of their
goods, Mr"Douthit said that it was im
possible for the Board to allow them
to do so, f or it was exceedingly busy
with the work of organizing and get
ting an insight into the business which
they must conduct and which they are
determined to conduct successfully.
In deciding on the purchases which
were made yesterday the board was
guided aimost wholly by the requests
or the county dispensers foi-shipments
of liquors for those requests showed
which liquors were most in favor with
the people, and they had taken that as
an index as to the comparative value
of the whiskies.
He said he did not think it would
be worth while for the drummers to
return to be present at the meeting in
May, for the purchases of liquor until
next fall would be small oa ing to the
fact that the sales fall off during the
summer months. The Boa.-d, howev
er, would be glad to have the various
houses send in bids next month, ac
companied with samples 'of the goods
offered. For the present, however,
the Board will rce guided largely by
the demand of the purchaing -public
for the various kinds of liquors.
Chairman Jones confirmed all that
Mr. Douthit had said. He further re
marked that he wanted it plainly un
derstood that the Board of Control in
its operation of the dispensary law
would endeavor to emphasize the mor
al features of the law; the dispensary
will not be run for profit-if profits
are made, al' well and good, but profit
will be an incident and nor the object.
No false economy will be practiced;
the best liquors will be purchased and
furnished the people as cheaply as
possible; the board will not furnish
mean, cheap liquor in order to make
big profits and have the patrons of the
dispensary abusing them. The people
will be given the liquor they like and
given at reasonable prices.
Mr. Knapp Expeoied.
LONDONr, April 9.-The Post will to
morrow publish a confirmation of the
report that Rev. Geo. P. Knapp, one
of the American missionaries stationed
at Bitlis, had been expelled from that
place.
CHAT WITH TILLMAN.
THE JUNIOR SENATOR TALKS IN A
RATHER DESULTORY FASHION.
He Beliaves a Great Majority of the Peo
ple Are Ready to Go With Him-Thinks
the Silver Men Will Control the Chicago
Convention.
COLUMBIA, April 7.-Senator Till
man arrived in the ctty today, and is
staying with his kinsman, Mr. J. W.
Bunch, who lives about a mile out of
town. To get whatever news there
was Senator Tillman was seen in his
suburban retreat. He was not exact
ly in the humor to have a stereotyped
interview. He chatted on a yariety of
topics, jumping from one to the other.
He remarked that he expected to have
an easy time of it in Washington, but
that he finds that he has more work'
to do than he had trying to run the
dispnsary.
Senator Tillman was asked what
was the purpose of his visit to Colum
bia at this time and he said he only
wanted to consult with his friends
about matters and let them understand
how things stood at the other end of
the line.
What he would like to see, he said.
was for the people of South Carolina
to keep together. He wanted to keep
the State Democracy from splitting to
pieces, and especially so at this time.
and further that no yardsticks should
be put to any man's Democracy that
would immediately drive him from
the party. The purpose of the com
mittee, he thought, ought not to be to
disrupt, but to hold the machinery
and voters together and keep all of
those in line who are anxious to drift
away, and then if later on the ques
tion of splitting comes up it will be
time enough to decide.
Senator Tillman was inclined to the
opinion that State and national affairs
ought to be kept apart, and that South
Carolina could very well afford to act
slowly. The State has twice before
been alone in casting its electoral vote.
He said that, while there was a good
deal of talk about the position he had
taken and how it would result, from
what he could learn those who were
opposing his position were mostly
politicians who had placed their pegs
in a certain line and did not wish to
have to rearrange them. Those who
were afraid- of his plan seeme. to
think that they had a pre-emption on
the offices, and were afraid to jeopard
ize their chances by bringing about a
fight.
When Iasked Senator Tillman what
were the indications from the Wash
ington end of the line, as he viewed
them, he said that the indications were
that the silver men would control the
Democratic Convention in Chicago,
and the probabilities were that if there
is no bolt by the silver men from-the
Republican convention in St. Louis it
will be because the politicians, who
will secure the-places of delegates,
will not represent Western Republican
sentiment. He cited several instances
of how the "machine" was trying to
keep down a revolution in the Repub
lican camp by the silver forces, but
silver Republican Senators and others
seem to be- in the fight to the fnish
and will only be kept quiet because of
the work of the "maclime" if at all.
Senator Tillman went on to say thxat
while he thought the silver delegates
would be in the majority in the Na
tional~' convention, he did not know
what course the other delegates would
take. By remaining in the convention'
they may tempe the action of the
body sufficiently to nominate a weak
candidate, or rather one who was not
an~ aggressive and pronounced free
silver man. If the Chicago conven
tion nominated a positive man on a
free silver platform he felt that the St.
Louis -Silv~er and Populist convention
would support such a nominee.
Then Senator Tillma~n was asked
what he thought of the Democratic
chances any way, and he replied by
saying that the chances were ten to
ane in favor of McKinley's nomina
tion, and that the only way he saw of
defeating him was by a consolidation
of the .silver forces. Sentiment in fa
vor of silver has, in his opinion,grown
greatly in the last few months. The
silver men are getting ready to be
more aggressive and determined and
outspoken and they are going to leave
either the Democratic or Republicant
party, if silver is not given the proper
showing. "Why men would not talk
to me in December are about long side
of me now," he re marked.
Senator Tillman hapoened to have
several letters in his pocket from men
in different States in which his posi
tion was ayroved. One of the letters
was from a man in Iowa, who claimed
to be a Republican and another was
from a Texan, who said that for fifty
years he had been a Democrat, but
was ready to follow Tillman. Senator
Tillman ~said he had received a thous
and letters-within the last few weeks
from Republicans and twice as many
from Democrats endorsing his position
and begging him to help the fight
along for silver. They all promised
torgo to any party that would give
them silver, and those letters. were
only samples he thought of general
opinion. He is satisfied that the ma
jority of the voters in either of the big
parties is ready to follow the silver
banner no matter what party happens
to be carrying it.
Senator Tillma~n is receiving many
invitations to make addresses. Hehas
made the following appointments for
April: Lexington. Ky., A pril 11; Den
ver, 'Col., -15; Warrensburg, Mo., 18;
lecture on problems of the Govern
ment for the Confederate Monumental
Association, at St. Louis, 20, Owens
boro, Ky., 22. He says he does not
care to make dates any further in ad
vance. He was asked whether he ex
,ted to make any speeches in South
Uarolina, and he said that depended
on circumstances, and he might, if he
were able and there were occasions,
come here after his Western trip. He
expects to leave the city for Washing
ton on Wednesday morning.-News
and Courier.
Case of Munrder and suicide.
SALEr, Mass., April 9.--Miss Jose
phine Manning, a dressmaker, and
fames Flynn, who had been keeping
company with her, were both found
dead in a lodging house this morning.
[t is thought to be a case of murder
and suicide.
Drowned in a Capsize.
Sus FascIsco, April 10.-The Brit
ish ship Bairmore, at anchor in Mis
sion bay, in the Southern part of the
city, capsized and five of the crew