Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL X- MA- -N-ING- S. C. WEDNESDAY, APRIL NO. 39. THE "L1LLY WHITES." THE MELTON-BRAYTON REPUBLI CANS IN CONVENTION. Fun Bepresentation from all Counties, Re tunsed to 'nxdorse a Presidential Candi date-TWO White and Two Colored Dele gates to St. Louis. CoLA., April15.-Leaders claim that for the first time in many years the convention of Republicans that met in the State house yesterday was a fullrepresentatilon, with every town ship and every precinct represented. It was the first State convention held by the wing of the Republican party which recognizes Capt. L. D. Melton of Columbia as the State chairman, and which is generally known as the "Lilly Whites," being the faction to which many white men, who have heretofore been recognized as Demo crats, have cast their lot. In the con vention, of about 240 delegates, there were between 60 and 70 white men, but these, with a few exceptions, were not recognized as prominent in poli tics. The white men present who have for some time taken a prominent part in the affairs of the Republican pity In this State, were Fllery M. Brayton, Lawson D. Melton, B. Odell Duncan, V. P. Clayton, R. M. Wal lace, Louis Jacobs and W. W. Rus sell, but conspicuous among those new and prominent men who have joined the party recently were Dr. Sampson Pope of Newberry and D. J. Knotts of Lexington, old Reformers, and Clarence S. Nettlesof Darlington, a Conservative in days gone by. There was a strcng negro representa tion. When the convention was called to order a large lithograph of Tom Reed adorned the rostrum, just behind the reporters' table; but later, not to be partial, likenesses of Morton and Mc Kinley were tacked up by Brayton During the day there was a large crowd cf spectators on the floor and in the gallery, and among them were many handsomely dressed colored women, relatives and friends of dele tes. At 1:20 p. m. State Chairman Melton called the convention to order and asked the Rev. W. M. Thomas, a colored preacher, to open the proceed ings with prayer. The livine asked that all obstructions be removed from the path of the delegates, and that what they did should be for the good of the State. Mr. Melton addressed the conven tion as follows: Friends and Fellow-Republicans: In opening the convention as your State chairman, it behooves me to make a few brief remarks as to the purpose for which this convention was called, the circumstances under which it arose and its final object which is the building up of the Re publican party in South Carolina. In the fall of 1894 an issue was presented to the people of South Carolina, which threatened the disfranchisement of more than one-half the Republican voters of the State, and finding noth ing being done to frustrate such an attempt against the liberties of the people, we determined to do some thing to stem the tide of a calamity which threatened the rights of the citi zens. We earnestly went to work to try and persuade the old committee to take the lead and prevent this calamn ity. But for reasons not necessary to state here, that committee ref us&to call the people of South Carolina to gether to attempt to avert that mis fortune. After that there was noth ig for us but revolution and we de termined to appeal to the people of South Carolina to rise uu from their sleep and save their rights. On the 6th day of February, 1895, a conven tion of representative men was held. Out of that convention has grown what will be recognized as the Repub lican party of South Carolina. The result is this convention here assem bled, and a better one the God of re publics never looked down upon in this country. It has not been -filled. by oing into the high ways and by ways for delecates, as our friends the ene my did Yfast week, but here every pre cinct in South Carolina is represented. (Cheers.) This organization reminds me of the story of the wonderful isle where the little infant of today is a grown man tomorrow. It recognizes no obstacles and is going to succeed. (Cheers.) In the near future its voice will be heard in the legislative halls of South Carolina, and it is going with such a sweep that Tillman, with all his power, can't keep down. Go back to your homes, stand shoulder to shoulder: the white people are with you; do your duty; go and try and register and stand there all summer. When you get the certificate even the n~sttution of South Carolina can't preen -you eastinag a vote. (Cheers.) At the close of Mr. Melton's speech, the call for the convention was read. Chairman Melton announcied that the executive committee had suggested as temporary chair man Clarence S. Nettles of Clarendon, and Clarence Holmes of Columbia as temporary secretary. The convention was evi dently heartily in favor of the selec tion of Mr. Nettles, his name being greeted with applause. On motion of Prof. Morris. a cm mnittee was appointe d to conduct Mr. Nettles to the rostrum.n On this committee Mr. Melton ap pointed Prof. J. WV. Morris, Mr. E. M. Brayton and Congressman Murray. Mr. Nettles, on taking the gavel, said: "I thank you for the distinction f calling mue to preside over this con vention of Republicans of South Car olina. I believe that this gathering marks an epoch in the politics of this State. This is not the resurrection of a corpse, but the growth and develop ment of a healthy Republican party in South Carolina. It is not based on prejudice, race issues or greed for money, which has disgraced the party in the State up to this time, (Cries 01 good, good,") but is based on the rock-ribbed principles which have made the Republican party the .stay of the government, the principles which, when permitted to languish, brought financial ruin upon the peo ple of the whole country. It is the party which stands for the liberal con struction of the Federal Constitution, keeping abreast of the advanced busi ness and wants of the people, the pro tection of American industries, Amer ican shipping, American labor." He onsidered this a happy day for South Carolina, when such a convention, representing a party with such princi ples, convened here. The success of '.bis party would bring capital to outh Carolina; the hum of spindles would be heard in every town in the State. This party commands the con fidenc of men with money to invest. The party promises protection not alone to the industries of America, but protection to all the rights the son of man is entitled to. The temporary roll was then called. There being no contests, the tempo rary roll was made permanent. Mr. Brayton moved that a commit tee of nine, two at large and one each from the congressional districts, be appointed on platform and resolutions. This prevailed and the following were appointed: B. Odell Duncan, Geo. W. Murray, W. W. Russell,-A. M. Daw son. W. J. Whipper, S. E. Smith, S. P. Foster, R. A. Stewart and D. J. Knotts. Professor Morriss of Columbia took the floor to nominate a permanent chairman. He was proud to name for permanent chairman a gentleman born on the soil of South Carolina and with South Carolina ancestry. They were here, white men and black men, born on a common soil, with a common destiny, and while "skins may differ, affections dwell in black and white alike." He named Dr. Sampson Pope of Newberry. There were loud cheers for Dr. Pope. Mr. Brayton seconded Dr. Pope's nomination, not because he was one of the sons of South Carolina, but because by his conduct he had proven himself superior to the traditions and restraints of so many sons of South Carolina. He looked on the course of Dr. Pope in 1894 as active and potent in bring ing into being the forces which culmi nated in this convention. He recalled the stand of Dr. Pope in the dispensa ry and registration cases. Dr. Pope was elected by acclamation and L. D. Melton, Professor Morris And Captain Paul Whipple escorted him to the chair. There was prolonged cheering. Dr. Pope said: We have assembled here in obedi ence to the call of the State chairmaa of the Republican. party of the Slate, for the purpose of electing delegates to to the National Republican conven tion which meets at St L->uis, Mtssou ri. That convention will elect the standard bearers of the party for Pres ident and vice president by the nation. We have also assembled for the pur pose of protecting the party organiza tion in this State. Unfortunately the Republican party in this State is di vided. into two factions, two hostile camps, both claiming to speak for the party. This being the case, and as harmony and union is necessary to accomplish results, the success of the party in this State, and its assistance in winning the presidential election, nothing should be done here, calcu lated to widen the breach, nothing should be said in the way of harsh crit icism of those of the other faction. When the National convention meets and settles, as it will, the differences that now exist, the two wings must flop together for common good, Therefore, I trust that members will be imbued with such a spirit here, that so far as we are concerned, when the verdict is reached that this is the reorganized organization, that those who have gone away from us, come back and take their places in the ranks of the party without any feeling of bitterness. There are many candidates for the high position of president, any one of whom will be acceptable to the Repub lican people; the country will be safe in any of their hands, whether it be the favored son of Ohio, the great apostle of protection; or he presides over the United States house of representatives with such marked ability ; or the able governor of New York, who so recent ly presided over the United States sen ate to the satisfaction of all, or the Chevalier Bayard of Iowa, all of them are lovers of liberty, true to the con stitution of the United States and zeal ous defenders of a Republican form of government. I am glad to say that they are not of that class of designing politicians who are "waiting for a light in the west." In South Sarolina, we need a change of affairs. We have witnessed with sorrow and shame a government of the people by the people, and for the people, subverted in the interests of a few designing men to a condition close akin to anarchy and ruin. We have seen the State, for political pur poses, made to enter into the business of a liquor dealer, not only so, but we have seen liquor forced upon the peo ple six or sev-en counties heretofore free from its deleterious influences. We have seen constables and spies put over the people se".rching their houses at the dead hour of the night, frightenihg women and children, and sometimes sneaking in stocking feet upon the roofs of the houses of private citizens in the night time to peer in their bed rooms -yea, more. We have seen ladies trunks broken open by these people at the railroad depots, their cioths thrown about in the insane desire of these people to find liquor. Worst of all, we have seen the gover nor of this State. at that time the can didate for the United States senate, ive instruction to his minions, to de feat and defraud at the elections. We have seen managers of elections en sconced behind screens, in utter disre gard of the constitution, causing voters to cast their ballots in the wrong box, and in some instances, when cast right, take them out of the box and put others in their places. We have seen managers of the election when the poll wias known to be strong in fa vor of the opposition candidate, absent themselves imn the day of election so that no election was held. We have seen the call for a consti tutional convention fraudulently made to carry. We have seen a gov ernor and a United States senator elect meet with other men and make a trade as to representation in the constitu tional convention and as to qualifica tions of voters to be inserted in the Constitution, agreeing that "no white man should be disfranchised excpt for crime, which plainly meant that all color d men possible should be dis fran cised. We have seen that conven tion meet and carry this out, and we have seen a Constitution formulated without being referred back to the people. ~We have seen the taxable property of the State increase and yet taxation is higber than before. We have seen the mortal tone of the people lowered under all wrongs. How could it be otherwise "for as you sow so shall you reap"? We call upon every honest man in this State, white and black, to come and help us rectify these wrongs. We call upoii them to stand with us for the good of those hereafter to come. It is the duty of every man who loves liberty and the principles of a repub lican form of government to stand to gether in this fight. Let the cry be a republican f orm of government, and, as a consequence, honest elections, protection to American industries and to Ameica labor and protection to every citizen of right guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. Add to this a sound currency, sufficient in volume to meet the demand of trade. There are thousands of white men in this State, not now in the Republican party, who are willing to stand upon this platform. We are willing to stand upon it. We need the help of these white men. There is one thing in the way of our getting that help, a fear of negro domination. They need not fear it for the negro is willing, if the whites will adopt a proper plat form of principle, put out a ticket of their very best men, pledged to reform this government, to support the ticket so put out. Our Republican brothers in Beaufort and Georgetown have car ried this out since 1S66. Only once did they fail. That is when Ben Tillman went down there and fooled them out of it. (Great and long con tinued cheers.) If this is done, if the white man ac cepts this in good faith, the State will be redeemed and peace, prosperity and happiness will sweep over this land. All that you would claim would be the national Republican ticket and the members of congress. Now, this is a fair proposition, on your part and if you make it I believe that it will ba accepted in good faith. If it should not then we must put out a ticket from governor to coroner. I have given you my views upon the situation. Take them for what they are worth, accept them if you think them good, reject them if they do not meet your views. Clarence Holmes was made perna nent secretary and J. M. Johnston as sistant secretary. Pending the report of the committee on platform, the convention took a re cess for one hour. On reconvening, the following platform was presented by the committee: We, the Republicans of South Caro lina, in convention assembled, reaf firm our adherence to the time honor ed principles of the national party, that is to say: First-We are in favor of moderate and reasonable protection for home labor and home capital against th' cheaper labor and cheaper capital of other countries, and of such reciprocal commercial arrangements with other countries as may be necessary to fos ter and extend our foreign trade. Second-We are in favor of main taining the present monetary standard until some satisfactory ratio between the hard money metals shall have been reached by international agreement. Third- We are in favor of a gov erment service based on merit and character and capacity, and not on the corrupt and debasing Jacksonian system of "to the victors belong the spoils." But while as Republicans we heartily endorse the above principles as highly important from a nation al point of view, what is of vastly more importance to us, and to all good citizens here in South Carolina, is to secure fair and honest elections, and to get rid of our present arbitrary and despotic factional State government with all its accompanying evils. We therefore reaffirm our purpose to use every proper and legitimate means to have our new Constitution set aside as in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United States. We admit that it-has certain good points in it, notably its improved education al facilities and its provision against lynching. But it is tainted with fraud in its origin; fraudulent in its char ater, and fraudulent in that it was foisted upon the State without ratiaca ton by a Dopular vote. We therefore hold that neither congress nor the fed eral courts ought to recognize validi ty. We also declare our most emphat ic oppasitien to the entire brood of in iquities imposed on the State by the dominant faction, and pledge the Re puolican party to remove them as rapidly as possible if put in a position to do so. We are opposed to the me tropolitan police in Charleston cr else where, and we pledge its immediate suspension if given the necessary au thority. We are opposed to the State constabulary and pledge its promt dis solution. We are opposed to the dis pensary law, and pledge its promnt repeal or fundamental moditication so as to remove a stigma of State traffic in whiskey for the sake of proaL. We are opposed to an incumbent, partisan and factional judiciary, and pledge its restoration to respectability, capacity and non-partisan as rapidly as possi ble. We are opposed to the degreda ton of our higher institutions of learn ing to mere political ends, and pledge their restoration to their proper and legitimate duties. We are opposed to discrimination against any class on ac count of its religious beliefs. These we do not regard as partism~ questions at all, but simply questions of good government. We, therefore, not only cordially invite, but appeal to all good citizens. to whatever party or faction belong ing, Democrats as well as Re publicans, Reformners as well as Con;servatives, to unite with us in securing the over throw of these and all other iniqities. and in the restoration of peace and harmony and good government in our State. The platform adopted with but two or three dissenters. This resolution was offered: Resolved: That either of the four candidates, Reed, Morton. McKiuley or Allison, wvill be acceptaible to the Republicans of South Carolina. A. E. Smith made a vigorous pro test against this, arid offered a su~bsti tute endorsing McKinley and iustruct ing the delegation for him. Whipper made an eloquent appeal against the delegation being sent to St. Louis handcuffed. Smith again supported McKinley in a long speech, after which his substi tute was laid on the table. Shirer of Chester made some refer ence to Dr. Hooper of the same town having been bought by the Webster ites at the last nominating convention. W. WV. Russell called on the chair to have Shirer removed from the hall by the sergeant-at-arms. Dr. Hooper intimated that Shirer was drunk and the latter subsided for a time. Rev. R. E. Hart madea longspeech, in which ne said that the negroes were not for McKinley, because he had de clared they should not have been granted the right of sutfrage. Mr. Brayton concurred in the spirit of the resolutions, but there was some thing .lacking, it did not include all the candidates. There was another! not named in the resolutions. Mat-| thew S. Quay, the greatest political general or the age, was a candidate whom this organizaticn could not af ford to alight, however unintentional. He would not have the convention in structed for the candidates of his choice because the recognition of this organi atio was of irst importance and they should be free to make friends. He favored having at least one McKin ley man in the delegation sent to St. Lous. Young Thompson of Richland, a oright mulatto of boyish appearance, evidently the beneficiary of Columbia's excellent school system, made a viol ent attack on the resolutions. He de scribed them as a straddle and he wanted it recorded that he was for Reed. The irrepressible Shiver here did a great service. He moved that noth ing more be said about candidates. This motion prevailed, although there were cries of protests one of the dele gates who was cut off by Chairman Pope, crying out that if that was the doctor's plan he should never be gov ernor. Nominations were declared in order and C. M. Grand, a yo-ang man of Charleston, who, as the Rev. Hart later said, "if he was not white he should have been," nominated G-eo. W. Murry. Rev. R. E. Hart, in a lengthy speech. in which he spoke of the beauties of two races dwelling in harmony in one commonwealth nominated Capt. L. D. Melton. His name was greeted with cheers. Ellery M. Beayton was nomiuated by H. L. Shrewsberry. A. R. Smith nominated S. E. Smith of Aiken. James Wigg named W. J. Whipper of Br ufort. J. B. Ebiards nom:nated P.-of J. W. Morris of C.lumbia. Rev. R. E. Hirt of Columbia was nominated ov Tuos J. Waelar. C. F. Holmes of Columbia was nominated by E. D White. R P. Daniels was nousianled by P. F. Simons. J. M. Martin of the "Mitnclia City of Greenville' nam--d Prof. A. M. Dawson of Greenville W. C Rush, Jr., of Florence moved the noniuations b- closed. They came here to vote the Brayton ticket Braytou, Melton. Murray and S~nmtn. That ticket was the choice of the pen plt and they were ready to vote. Chairmau Pope deiiued to put the motion while other men had nomina tions to make. It would nurt the par ty and they would never hear the end of it. J. S. Mobley of Union was nominat ed by A. E. Epps. A. T. Jennings of Charleston was nominated by A. E. Smith. At 7:23 nominations wereclosed and the voting began, each delegate rising and na'nng the four candidates of his choice. It was 8:30 before the election was clksed. It resulted as follows: L. D. Melton, 230; E. M. Brayton, 226; Geo. W. Murray, 231; S. E. Smith, 212; R. E. Hart, 9;J. W. Mor ris, 6; C. F. Holmes, 5; W. J. W hip per. 18; Daniels, 1; Mobley, 1. The first four were declared elected. E. M. English of Charleston nomi nated as altenates A. T. Jennings of Charleston, R. M. Wallace of Sumter. T. Daniels of Florence, R. E. Primus of Hampton. He asked that they be elected by acclamation. Mr. Braytongotthe floor. He made an eloquent appeal for the election as alternate at large of Dr. V. P Clayton. Geo. W. Murray felt proud to speak to a convention representing-for the first time in the history of the State the native white and native colored people of the State. He. nominated ol. . M. Waillace of Sumter. who backed him with his money in his con test. A. M. Dawson was named. A. T'. Jennings of Charleston was norm ated by Parris. J. WV. M.,rris was nominated by Delegate Stewart. And the niominations continued with speeches unstinted, until finally at 11 'clock~ a halt was called and the bal loting began. This was the result R. M. Wallace, 191; Jennings, 187; Daniels, 121; Dawson, 114;. Clark 12; layton 94; Williams, 56; Hooper, 34: Morris, 80. The first four were elected. T. L. Grant of Charleston offered a set of resolutions very complimientary to Dr. Pope, as presiding officer, which were adopted. Some delegate, whose name was not made known, offered these resolutions, aimed at Tom Miller: "Whereas, the constituitional con vention and legislature of the State have established a Colored Normal, Agricultural, Mechanical and Indus. trial college, and since it is publicly asserted that a certain man has string tied to the presidency of said college, and whereas, we, the representatives of the people of this State, enter our protest against forcing upon the col. red people any man who will be dis tasteful to them. Therefor, be it " Resolved, That we, toe representa tives of the people of the State, in conventicn assembled, ask that the trustees, in the selection of a presi dent for the college, give to them a practical ed ucator and a C aristian gen tieri-n, and not a politician." They were unanimously adopted. 11. L. Shreevsbury offe-red. tnese re soluions, which wer-e adopted: "Rrsolved, That a special committee be appointed to prepare a memorial to the congress of the Umited States pray ing the appointment of a committee to ivestiga'-e the atfairs of South Caro lina as to whether a republican form of govenmnent is of rorce in .tnis State, as required by the Constitution of '.he United States, tine same to be forward -d to tre lIon. Geo. WV. Murray, tue Rpbban cougressan from the On this committee w'-re app-ited EL L. hressuury, L. D. Meiton and C. F. IL loes.. At 121 this morming the conven tion acjourued.-The State. lPIONEER, 0 , April 15.--Burglars looted the private bank in this town last night. They succeeded.in opening the vault without the use of ex plusives, and then, after probably taking all that it contained, they chaugedi the combination so that the vault could not be opened when the cashier tried it this morning, it is believed that the robbers got at least 85,000 in cur rency. The burglars were heard from at Alvartou this morning. wvhere they stole a team to facilitate their- escape. Te local marshal and five deputies have a clue and are now in pursuit of the thieves. Wron;; Man Shot. WELLINGTON, Kas., April 12.-Edi tor Chats. Br-anscomb, of the South Haven New Era, was killed in a shoot ing scrape between A. A. Richards, editor of the Wellington Daily Mail and Robert Simmons, editor of the Cad well News. No arrests have been made. Simmons and Richards had been carrying on a bitter newspapern war. They met by chance, when ooth drew revolvers, and began firing. A' the fifth shot, Branscomb, who was mih ~Ricrdsw fell piemrce by a bullet GOOD PLAN ADOPTED. TO SECURE AN EXHIBIT AT THE SOUTHERN STATES EXPOSITION. A Company Will be Formed-Gov. Evans Will be President-The Oficers and Exe cutive Committee Good Business Men. SPARTANBU;RG, April 16.-The busi ness convention that met at Spar taaburg last night rounded off its work this morning. Governor Ev ans was elected President of the convention, and he and Hon. Patrick Walsh of Augusta, Ga., addressed the convention on the importance of South Carolina being well represented in the Southern States Exhibition to be held in the city of Chicago. The delegates, who represent the best in terests of the State, are determined to have South Carolina take first honors at the Southern States Exposition as she did at Atlanta. The delegates ap preciate the opportunities of the Chi cago show and want to let the west see something of the resources and devel opment in the State. At last night's session a committee was appointed consisting of Messrs J. C. Hemphill, chairman, A. C. Shaffer. Wm. A. Courtenay, W. B. Smith Whaley, A. H. White, W. Evans, H. W. Finlay son and Altamont Moses to prepare a plan on which the proposition to have a creditable exhibit might be carried out. Mr. Whaley being called away last night, was utrable to serve. By way of preface to the report of the committee Maj. J. C Hemphill stated that the committee had not done all that it desi.ed, but that the plans were ample for active work. He hurriedly related the importance of having a good exhibit at Chicago and emphasized the talk by reference to the settlement at Fitzgerald, Ga. The people in the west were hunting bet ter climate, better soil and more profi table investments, and there was no place where these could better found than in South Carolina. Chairman Hemphill then, on behalf of the committee, submitted the fol lowing plan: For the purpose of making a com plete and representative exhibit of the resources of South Carolina at the Southern States' exhibition to be held in the city of Chicago, beginning August 15th next, this convention provide for the organization of the South Carolina Exposition company. This company shall consist of the del egate! to this convention and others to be appointed. Tne officers of the company shall be a president, rice president, commis sioner and a financial committee to consist of three members. The head quarters of the company shall be at the State capital. The president, vice president, com missioner and members of the finance committee shall constitute the execu tive committee, three of whom shall make a quorum. That this conyention designate an active, progressive man from each county as county commissioner, who shall associate with him such persons as he'sball deem expedient to perform the work. That the commissioner be given power to fill vacancies occurring and make removals. The urgent necessity of funds (for which purpose about $15,000 will be needed) being raised at once to make a proper representation of the resour ces of the State of South Carolina, be lieving as we do, that it can be made 1to lead the South, that the commis sioners be instructed to organize their respective counties without delay and report to the State commissioner the amounts their counties will contribute to the exposition fund and collect the same and for ward as fast as collected to the chairman of the finance com mittee. That the convention invite the act ive co-operation of the manufacturing, mechanical, agricultural and all other industrial interests of the State. The co operation of the owners of arable timber and swamp lands, undeveloped water power and mining roperties, that they may have for sale or lease, is also invited, towards making the State exhibit at Chicago a success. Appreciating the very great interest already manifested by the railroad companies of the State in promoting the success of the enterprise, as evi denced by the free transportation fur nished to the members of this conven tion and the presence of representa tives of railroad corporatioas in this body-the convention will invite a continuance of this interest and such further aid as they shall be able to rende.r. The committee recommend further, tbat his excellency, the Governor, be made president of the compan:: arid that the Hon. William A. Courtenay be made vice president, and that Mr. E. L. Roche be conmissioner for the State, and that theie three designate the finance committee. The committee further recommend that the press of the State be requested editorially arid otherwise to bring this matter to the attention of the citizens of thie State, and to urge upon them the necessity for contributing to the fund, and the advantages to be deriv ed from this exposition to communi Lies as well as individuals. Retspectfuly submitted, J C. LLH ILL, Chairman. The ouly pr-oposition to change the plau wvas in so far as the president of tule cotapany was co)ncernled. The comittee recommended thaL Gover nor Evans be toade president of the company. Editor N.-G. Gonzales, said that while he hesitated to oppose the plan in any way he felt that the con ventioni itself ought to select the presi dent: that the selection ought to made entirely without referen ce to politics and tnat the officer should be selected from business reasons alone. He mov-ed that the convention proceed to the naming of commissioners from each county and that these commis sioners select the officers with a view to their business capacity. He said he did riot make the move with any politi cat intention, or because s. man of any special party was named for president, but insisted that the convention should select a a business man for the place. Mr. Tillinighast, of Hampton made the chief argument against any such proposition and said that as a member of the political faction opposed to Governor Evans, he would not cast such a "slur" on the governor. He said that the committee .aad with due consideration made the selection and it would not do to ignore it. The gov ernor was, he said, an influential offi cial and citizen, and could do the un dertaking more good than an outsider could, and that there might be an emergency in which no one else could help out the enterprise. amwa~s the cas. in the Atlanta arrangement. He in sisted that no one had a right to ques tion another's politics, and that he would vote against any changing of the committee on what he deemed purely business ground. Mr. Gonzales, in reply, said that he questioned no man's politics and said he would make the same objection to placing any officer at the head of the movement. What he wanted was a business man and a man who could hold the people together. The dele gates themselves, he urged, should select the officers, Mr. Coffin of Flor ence had announced that the idea of politics in the Atlanta exposition or ganization prejudiced people against it. Maj. Boyle of Charleston said that in the name of Charleston, and in be half of Charlestonians, he hoped the original report would beadopted, with Governor Evans as president of the company. Mr. Bright Williamson of Darling ton said that his county wanted to let the organization stand as reported. Mr. Moss of Orangeburg said that he was sorry that a word of politics had entered the convention, which was so thoroughly business-like, and he moved to table the suggestion of Mr. Gonzales, and the motion was carried by a decisive vote. The report was then adopted as a whole as reported, with the exception of changing the amount of money needed from $15,000 to $t0,000, which Mr. Hemphill, who was in charge of report, said the committee thought would be ample. The convention then made up the list of county commissioners as fol lows: . Abbey ille-Wvatt Aiken. Aiken-H. M. Dibble. Anderson-D. K. Morris. Barn well-J. P Folk. Beaufort-W. H. Lockwood. Berkeley-J. B. Morrison Charleston-Geo. H. Tucker. Chester-R. A. Love. Chesterfield-R. T. Caston. Clarendon-D. J. Bradham. Colleton-D. H. Padgett. Darlington-W. E. James. Edgefield-Geo. B. Lake. Fairf eld-J. E. Coan. Florence-Smilie A. Gregg. Georgetown-W. D. Morgan. Greenville-A. H. Dean. Hampton-W. S. Tillinghast. Lancaster-LeRoy Springs. Marion-E. H Gasque. Marlboro-T. B. Gibson. Newberry-E. H. Aull. Oconee-L. W. Jordan. Orangeburg-B. H. Moss. Pickens--J. E. Boggs. Richland-W. McB. Sloan. Spartanburg-A. H. Twitchell. Sumter-R. I. Manning. Saluda-W. S. Allen. Union-J. A. Fant. Williamsburg-F. Barron Grier. York-W. B. Moore. This abut finished up the work of the convention. State Senator Moses of Sumter otfered the following reso lutions, which were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be, and they are hereby, tendered to the citizens of the city of Spartanburg for the cordial welcome and attention shown to the delegates while in their midst - Resolved, That the thanks of this convention and of the State of South Carolina are due to the Hon. Patrick Walsh for his patriotic action and for his eloquent ad dress delivered before this body. Resolved, That the thanks of this convention are tendered to the rail roads in the State in passing delegates to and from this convention. The convention adjourned in time for most of the delegates to leave the city on the midday trains. Commisioner Roche, who is in charge of the work of the Chicago ex position, was the mainstay of the com mittee that prepared the exhibit for the Atlanta exposition for this State. THE DELEGATES. The following is the roll of dele gates in attendance: State Girange-G, W. Moseley, R. A. Love. Chester-B. M. Spratt, J. L. Argus. Blacksburg-John F. Jones, J. G. Black, Win. Anderson B-ninettsville-Knox Livingston, W D. Evrans, Douglas Jennings. Lake City-H. H. Singleton. Seneca City-J. L. Stribling. Anderson-G. F. Tolley, J. M. Sul livan, George E. Prince, D. H. Rus sell. Pickens-T. C. Robinson, J.- E. Borgs. B3amberg-John F. Folk, J. D. Copeland, 0. M. Dickinson. Beaufort-N. Christensen, C. C. Townsend, Win. H. Lock wood. Kinigstree-R. R. Stuts. Woodruff-A. D). Chamblin, W. F. Bryson. Lanacaster-.Wm. D. Brown, T. K. CMiga-. F.- Carroll, Jr. Darhington-Brigh t Williamson,W. E. James, J. R. Ware. Hampton-W. S. Tillinghast, W. F. Cummings, W. M. Stokes. Fairneld-T. W. Lauderdale, J. E. Coan, H. S. W yle. A bbeville-J. F. Miller, F. J. Doug lass, S. G. Ed wards. Blackille-C. M. Felder, E. Spann Hammond, Crharles C. Rush. Carlisle-E. C. Houze, J. D. Flem minrg, J S. Welsh. R.>ck Hill-Jotu R. London, J. B. Johnson, R. T. Fewell. Walterbro-A. C. Shaffer, J. S. Grihin, B. H. Padgett. Maunicg-E. C. Horton, J. F. Bradh'tm, A. Levi. Orangeburg-Geo~rge WV. Brunson, B. H. Moss. P. T. Hilderbrand. Aiken--G. T. Holley, M. G. Holley, Jr.. James Powell. Gr-eenwood-WX. G. Gambrell. F. B. Cobb, F M. Allen. Greenville -A H. Dean, J. F. Richardson, C. A. McAllister, R. A McDowell, J. A. McCullough, WV. J. Tackston, J. H. Earle, F. B. McBee. St. George's-I. J. Hutto, T. V. Ap pleby. G3eorge M Rumph. Unio-J. A. Fant, WV. T. Beaty, W. M. Sartor, J. D. Arthur, R. W. Harris. St. Stephens-T. L. Jaudon, Peter Klintworth, S. T. Russell. Seneca-L. W. Jordan, G. W. Gig nilliat. Sumter-Altamont Moses, W. A. Suder, John Reid, Richard L. Manning Barnwell-F. C. Butler, W. W. Moore, P. W. Price. Georgetown-Josiah Doar, Marks Moses, J. J. Hazard. Walhalla--C. WV. Pitchford, WV. L. Verner, James Thompson. Columbia -W. McB. Sloan, WV. B. S. Whaley, N. G. Gonzales. Branchville-F. M. Stokes, M. S. Connor, J.- T. Pearistine. Egelild. B. Lake,$ M. Smith. Jr. Yorkville-G. B. Beard, Withers Adickes, J. E. Lowry, M. C. Willis. York County-J. C. Welborn. Marion-R. J. Blackwell, E. H. Gasque, S. W. Smith, H. Witcover. Kershaw-R. S. Beckham. Fort Motte-J. K. Hane, W. W. Wolfe, J. A. Peterkin. Cheraw-H. W. Finlayson. J. C. Colt, R. T. Caston. Florence-J. P. Coffin, E. F. Doug lass, H. S. Rose. Spartanburg-W. A. Law, W. E. Burnett, D. E. Converse, D. R. Dun can, R. K. Carson, G. W. Nichols, J. K. Jennings, S. J. S'mpson, J. H. Montgomery, A B Calvert, J BCar lisle, H J Johnson, J B Cleveland. A H Twitchell, T A Caldwell, R H F Chapman, J S Amos, R A Robinson. George Cofield, Joseph Walker, S T McCravey, W I Ha-ris, J B Liles. Pacolet-H S Lipscomb. State Press Association-J E Boggs, Pickens Sentinel; J A Hoyt, Green. ville Mountaineer; N G Gonzales, Co lumbia State; J C Hemphill, News and Courier; August Kohn, News and Cou rier; E. H. Aull, president State Press association. Charleston-A F C Cramer of the city council; W M Bird, G H Tucker. chamber of commerce; C I Walker, G B Edwards, H A Molony, Young Men's Business league: J C Hemphill, R B Lebby, I P O'Neill. Chester and Lenoir Railroad Com nany-G W F Harper. Port Royal and Augusta Railroad J H Averill, R H Wright. South Carolina and Georgia Rail road-W A Boyle. Atlantic Coast Line-C S Gadsden. Seaboard Air Line-H W B Glover. Port Royal and Western Carolina Railroad-W. J. Craig. Newtarry-T. J. McCravey, W F Ewart, J H Wicker, 0 L Shnmpert, H H Evans, W H Hunt. Camden-G W Moseley. Davisville-S H Wildes, C P De Lorme. Modoc-U H Key, P R Waites, M G Jacco. McColl-T B Gibson, A K Adams, Charles Iseman. . Woodruff-A D Chamblin. Williamsburg-W D Fitch, F M Player. Americana Arrested. HABANA, April 16.-Alberto Jesus Diaz, a Baptist preacher of Habana, and his brother, Victoriano Diaz, both American citizens, have been arrested on the charge of having in their pos session compromising papers referring to the insurrection. The American consul general has report-d the case to the State department at Washing ton. TO BE SHOT FOR "REBELLION." HABANA, April 16.-Gregio Boras, Jose Bacallae and Estaban Hernandez will be shot tomorrow in the Cabanas fortress. They were accused of the crime of rebellion, tried by court mar tial and sentenced to death. Thirty two political prisoners have been arrested and placed in Morro cas tle. Nineteen persons, mostly women and children, belonging to the family of Periquito Perez, have been taken to Santiago de Cuba and placed in jail there. Maceo, the rebel commander, still remains west of the troja or mili tary line extending from Mariel to Majana. Slight attacks at different points are reported. RETALIATION. MA.DRD, April 16.-A dispatch from Habana to The Imparcial says that the insurgents have hanged 22 Span iards in the Sagua district. Tillman In Colorado. DENVER, Col., April 14.-Senator Till man of South Carolina, arrived in Denver this morning. He was met at the train by leading Democrats and escorted to the Brown palace Hotel where ha met the committee of recep tion as a body. Tonight a public re ception was tendered the distinguish ed visitor at the hotel and tomorrow night he will address the State Demo cratic convention. When aked as to the political outlook Senator Tillman said: "I have discovered a much stronger spinal column among the sil ver Democrats, in fact. heretofore it has been a sort of jelly affair. Press ure at home among the constitueats of Congressmen and Senators as to the necessity for progressive action has produced a great change. Men who would not speak to me in Decew'her are growintg more chummy all tue time." "Tnere is only one trouble," ne continued, "only one reason why we have all been harnessed with doubt and that is some silver men hate to quit the old party and the fee-l ing of loyalty holds them back. The outlook is altogether for the Demo cratic convention to be controlled by the free silver wing." Fishermen Drowned. CAPE HENRY, Va., April 10.-Cap tain Johin Fauce-. his son, Percy. of Washington. D C., were druwued to day with their crew of seven colo'red men. Captain Faunce was reue wmg his sturgeon nets, which were located on the coast just belo w Virginia Beachb, Va. The ocean swell has been very heavy for the past two days, due to the easterly weather off shore. and tis afternoon, when Captain F-aunc-e was making a trip to the fishing grounis, which are about a nmil- off shore, several unusually hea-v bre-ak ers came suddenly upon the frail craf t. The first and second breakern were passed all right, but the next whi--hi was unexpected and unusu d ly heavy, struck the little craf t and cip-azed it. drownrineall hands. Captain Fauinice's son, Frank, saw his father and broth - er Percy clinging to thie bottom o.f their boat and ran to the sea track life saving station for help, but before that crew could reach tne unfortunate mlen. all had disappeared and no assistanc could be rendered. None of the bodies nave been recovered. Broken Rail-Two Killed. MEADVILLE, Pa., April 15.-A brok en rail on the New York, Pennsylvan ia and Ohio Railroad, near Geneva. Pa., about noon, wrecked the third section of freight train No. S2. T wo men were killed and three others seri ously injured. The dead are: Patrick Kerr, engineer, Burt Rowley, brake man, injured: Elmer Rush, fireman; C. M. Farland~engineer; A. M. Weir. All lived at Meadville. Kiled in Court. CENTRAL CITY, aol., April 15-This morning during the trial of a case in court, Samuel Covington, a vintor, charged with endeavoring to intimil date a witness, denied thle assez'tion hotly, and being threatened with ar rest. drew a pistol and killed ex-May or Williams and mortally wounded City Marshal Keleher. Covington, while endeavoring to escape, was shot ad by Henry Leanan. FREE SILVER WINS. ALABAMA ROUTS THE GOLD BUGS HORSE, FOOT AND DRAGOON. The State is Safely in the Free Silver at Sixteen to One Column-The Gold Bugs Fought Hard, but Got Left. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 13.-The State Herald's estimate of the vote by counties for delegates to the State Democratic convention as furnished Saturday is today confirmed by the latest advices from all over Alabama, as substantially correct. Of the 504 delegates to the State convention Johnston, bimetallists, is assured of 357; Clarke, single and gold standard, 94, and 53 are yet doubtful. There was some doubt about this, Jefferson, the largest county in the State, until today, whea authentic returns give the county to Johnston by a small but decisive majority. Great interest was centered in a contest between two can didates for the State senate from this county because they represented E. A. Porter, the single gold standard, and R. M. Cunningham, the free coinage man of both gold and silver at 16 to 1. They had jointly debated the money question all over the county. Both candidates were esteemed- as un usually able advocates of their respec tive views and the result of the elec tion is conceded to have been a fair test. Cunningham and free silver de feated Porter by a majority of 1,000. Captain Johnston had some so-called sound money supporters in the State, but he was throughout his canvass an avowed bimetallist and there is no doubt from the character of the dele gations which have been selected to the State convention which meets at Mont gomery on the 21st, inst., will adopt an out and out 16 to 1 free silver plat fo-m and send a solid delegation of that sort to the National convention at Chicago. TILLMAN IN DENVER. He Addresses the Democratic Convention and a Vast Audience. DENVER, April 15.-The delegation selected by the convention to repre sent the party in the national conven tion at Chicago carry with them one resolution-that being a demand for the restoration of the freecoinage of silver. The chairman of the delegation Hon. C. S. Thomas, after being nom inated by acclamation, declared in an impassioned speech that unless the is sue be accepted by the national con vention he would immediately resign his seat in that convention. This sen timent was received with such hearty applause tnat it is supposed that the other members of the delegation will feel bound to do likewise. The con venmion did not complete its work in the afternoon session and a recess was taken until 7:45 p. m. When the convention reassembled, Senator Tillman of South Carolina delivered nis political- address to the conventn. The foyers were packed to suffo,,ation, the stage held 500 veo ple, every aisle was filled and several thousand disappointed citizens failed to get as near as the main entrance. The boxes we t e occupied by prominent citizens of ai political organizations, In the foyer t e crush was simply aw ful and it required a great cdsplay of good nature to prever' a pan .c. When Senator Tillman er.cered the stage he was received by a mighty outburst of cheers, while tue band played "Dii: ie-" Secretary Ne well read letters en dorsing the siJ ver sentiment from the governors of Mi~issouri and Virginia, Senators Vest, Call and others, unti the impatient audience howled down the secretary and Senator Tiliman In opening 'r~s address, Senator Till man referred to the prestrtation of the silver and gold pitchfork last night by ayoung lady as a new and proper emblem of the goddess of liber ty, as it is now the emblem of agricul ture. He reviewed historically the Democratic party, handling the sub ject seriously and earnestly. Then, warinn up, he attacked the present administration in plain words and without a delicate choice of language. He soon had the vast audience wild with excitement. The mention of John Sherman brought forth a storm of bilses, which stopped the speaker for a moment. His maiu effort was to cnvince his audience that the capital ists contr'ol the national goyernment and both political parties, and he sought to array the common people ' agiust the great centres of wealth. He touche 3 at some length upon the milver ques: ion. T be convention was called to order afte r 8 n-ror Tillmnan ha.d concluded his add ess :nd chose the following de at- sr ar: T. J. O'Donnell, Deuver; Adiir Wilson, Durango; B. 0. Sne~u-y. Trinidad. Every County The.re. SI'ARTANBIca. S C., April 15.-The Soutri C irolma convention in the in 'eres.t of th- Chicago Southern States Ex position met here to-night. Coin mnmrs to raise funds and arrange for exhiots were appoiuted. The atten uan.-e was largze anu much enthusiasm - Sxtijitd. E >ery county in the State .'.s re pr. s-mt-d Spet-ches .vere made by Goveruor Evans and others. J. d Hem phllof Charleston was eected Stat' -hiirnan to arrange for the ex 'ioits Th'- delegates represented the most substantia[ business men of the S"tte. There were altogether about 150) deleg.. tes. A bout fifteen cotton mnili pre..idents. as miany bank presi demts. busi ess men. farmers and edi t')rs were presea t at the night session. Spees we-re moade tby Gov. Evans tud Petri Walsh, who have attended silrnilar couveationUs in four Southern S-ates and says this leads them all. There is a great deal of enthusiasm, and a general desire to have South Carolina to take tirst place at Chicago. The convention is regarded as the best gathering of strickly business men seen in the State in years. and it is bent en tirely o;n business. Mayor Calvert of Spa rtanburg was elected permanent ciiairman of the meeting; and E. H. Aull secretary. The announcement was made that it woula take from eight to ten thousand d->llars to have thie State properly represented at Chii cago. ____ Free Silv-er Wins. MONTGOMERY, Ala.. April 11.-Re turns received u p to 9:30 to night in dicate that Johuston has 286 votes certain and Clarke 151 certain, with 67 doubtful. Necessary to choice 255. t his has besn one of the warmest and most exciting caupaigns ever held in