University of South Carolina Libraries
AVERY H0T1IME Republicans Have Big Row in 1 Their State Convention. CAPERS HAS A FIGHT. Kuoeks a Negro from the Platform * and tlie Wildest Cvrit enient and Confusion Prevailed?Capers Controlled the Convention Through l>ens. Who Presided?Cut and Ikcl.wl l?....... " -? ? " ivu ivi^iiIIII \ iU'MCU (Mil., The State Republican Convention, which met in Columbia on Tuesday, 1 was the scene of the wildest confu- ' siou and excitement and more than ' once there was promise of a lively 1 scramble, even a free-for-all light ' seemed imminent at one time. At < the afternoon session. John (5. Cap- 1 ers, United States coinmissionor of internal revenue, knocked lOd. Thomp- ? son, colored off the platform. Thomp- i son was knocked clear off the plat- i form and his head struck a heavy | wooden bench. He lay upon the floor for several ( moments and it was thought that t possibly ho was seriously injured, hut t with the exception of slight bruises <about the face he showed no signs of i \ injury and was soon on his feet, lint i this started trouble and for a while i it looked as if there would be a gen- I eral shooting melee. Negroes by the i score slapped their hands to their ; liip pockets and a general rush was | made for the platform, upon which Capers was standing. ( Kr lends of Capers quickly surrounded him, white and colored, and for a few moments the excited negroes who were attempting to get at i him were kept hack off the platform. Caper' friends carried him from the platform to the far corner of the building, where they surrounded him ( until comparative quiet was restored. The great majority of the negroes } kept their seats and it was only the more excitable ones who appeared to t?e anxious to resent what they tcrm H.,ylnp at the negor race. Al though lhnify ,.i?. their hands in their hip pockets no pislors razors wpiv displayed, and it may he that i.h?i of them were not armed at nil. ? The incident occurred shortly after the hour set for the convention to reassemble in the afternoon, three o'clock. The committee on credentials was not ready to report at , o'clock and the delegates took advantage of the recess to have some speech making. 10d Thompson, a Columbia negro, not a delegate to the convention, took the chairman's place on the platform. Several negroes were | introduced and responded with shot t [ speeches in praise of the Republican party. Then there was a call for a , speech from John (5. Capers. lit? J, mounted the platform and Thompson rapped for order. *f'honipson had in his hand a large iry walking stick, used hy the /man as a gavel, lie showed jf a of having imbibed of intoxicants / / when he turned to Capers to pre'\. /t him to the delegates he said? ( Andishiug his stick in the air that I /gave him pleasure to present to the invention one of the "grandest and est Democrats in the State." This /pparently nettled Capers, hut he said Aolhing until Thompson repeated the , feinark several times and started to ( Y make a speech to the assembled dele\ gats himself, apparently about Cap1 ers l>eiug a Democrat. ( At this juncture Capers called to ( .) Thompson to put his stick down, but ( Tlwininttcn l^nlrl fit loni IM It i m and continued him remarks, at the same time swinging his hig stick ) through the air. Capers then reached f around Tliomjjson, in front, and tried to get his hands on the stick. With '/ this Thompson swung around to the /right, with the stick raised in the ah in his rigid hand. Without further ado. Capers struck Thompson in the chest, knocking him backward off the platform. Deas was not in the In... at the time, being detained in the committee room, but 10. W. Screven and several cool-headed negroes mounted the platform and attempted to restore order. Finally Doas arrived on the ?" ^ scene and took his place at the table, poinding viciously with his big hickory stick., but his efforts to quiet the excited and r.v^tfdened crowd were unavailing. He oounded the table for at least 30 minutes before things quieted down sufficiently for anyone to be heard. When comparative quiet was restored Capers addressed the chair, stating that lie rose to a question of personal privilege, lie said that when any man, black or white, insulted him and attempted to strike him with a stick he would resent it, just as ho Uo#1 n mmnentK REro. Ho I iiau uv/uv u bv ?. ...w...v.. said that Thompson was a disgrace to the Republican party and It was ? ~ duo to his presumption in taking the chairman's place that the encounter occurred. He said that some had attempted to make a question of race 1 hutred out of the affair, hut ho do- , nouneed this as false. It was merely i a question of defending himself and ( he would do the same thing again, whether It was a white man or a negro who attempted to strike him. Capers was cheered very generally, even 1>y the negroes, tiad his re-lj CAPERS RULED I rhe Republican State Convention " With an Iron Hand. DEAS HELPED HIM. 'npcrs and Ocas llad Themselves ami Two Others Named as Delegates at Lai'itc to (liicaKo, Which Caused the Negro Delegates to Howl Deep and Lornl I'ntll Tliey Were Suppressed. The Republican State Convention net in Columbia last Tuesday, and ifter prayer, the I'nited States Marthai, J. S. Adams of Charleston mov*d that 10. II. Deas lie elected teinporiry chairman, which motion was octal upon favorably. \V. I'\ Myers was ben elected temporary clerk. T. L. (leant of Charleston announc d that Judge Lyons of (Jcorgta, turner resist rar of the t ailed Stales reasury, was present and moved that 10 be escorted to the platform. The chairman appointed John (5. Papers and T. L. (Irani a committee >f escort. Capers presented Lyons to he convention as the only member >f tils raee who was a member of the mtional Republican executive coninittee and a distinguished and loyal uembor of (lie parly. Lyons made a irief address, making very complinentary references lo both Capers ind Deas. the chairman, lie was an-' (lauded when lie took his seat. The Chairman then announced the onunittce on credentials, L. \V. C. Hlacock being named as chairman, lie also appointed the committee on resolutions and nominations, naming Capers as chairman. There was a warm protest when Dens made this latter appointment, a number of negroes who were present as members of contesting delegations declaring that the action of the chairman in naming the committc on resoiuioins and nominations before the permanent organization was nerfected vps without precedent. Right here the muddle started and after that there was more or less confusion. H. It. Hendricks of Pickens moved that a special committee he appointee i to draft,"suitable resolutions of covdo-j lence to Capt. John (!. Capers on account of. his sad bereavement over the death or his father, lit. Rev. Kllison Capers, l>. I). T. R. Grant, colored, of Charleston was mimed as chairman of this special committee. There were numerous appeals for recognition from the chair from parties who desired to protest against tlici action of the chairman in appointing the coinmtt.oc on resolutions and nnmiici t ioiw l?efi>i-o lt>i> in>ri?i!iiw>nl iirfnin. i/.ation was perfected. Others wantmi to have something to say in the convention regarding their contests for seats in the convention. All of. them were cut short o.v a motion to adjourn (lie convention, which was promptly declared adopted by Ocas. Thos. L. (leant of Charleston, chairman of the committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the death of Bishop Capers read some very eulogistic resolutions on (he death of the lamented Bishop. Ilauled Him Down. After the adoption of these resolutions Capers rose to address the convention and was recognized by the chairman, but it looked for a few moments as if he would not bo allowed to speak. A dozen negroes ii. different parts oT the hall were clamoring for recognition and some were even speaking from chairs. finally Capers got on the platform and attempted to get the convention (|iiiet. At this point Kobert Smalls, the negro collector of the port of Beaufort, rose and called for quiet, tie begged the delegates to be seated and to listed to Capers. Das rapped loudly with his hickory walking stiek and declared, in thunderous tones, that "those who are not delegates should have decency, modesty and shame enough to retire and 1 the convention transact its husi ness."* He begged the delegates to be seated, but this request went unferonces to Thompson were applauded. Hefore taking bis seat, a negro delegate arose and stated that he desired to ask Capers a question, which the latter assented to. "It has been said that when you knocked Thompson over that you called him a negro?" was the question asked. "I don't care who the man Is who made that charge," said Capers, "but I wish to say right hore that it is a lie." While it is not at all certain that a majoriy m uiu uemBiueH imohuiii ?il the convention were in John O. Capers' alignment, ho had control over the organization and got what he wanted. Edmund H. Deas, colored, the State chairman, presided over the meeting. All along he has been understood to 1)0 opposed to Capers and to the present administration, but Tuesday lie played into Capers' hands find the way in which he railroaded" the affairs of tlie convention certainly could not he equalled by/ the czar-like rule of Speaker Cannon of the national house of representatives. The proceedings of the convention will he found in another place on this page. \ hooded and finalh Capers begun his J remarks amid the greatest confusion > He expressed his grateful aokonwledgenient for the resolutions adopted. As soon as Capers had finished thanking the convon.lon for the adoption of tlte resolution, he started to read to the convention the report of the eotnmittee on resolutions and nominations, Imt pandemonium reigned once again and it was impossible for Capers to bo noard. I teas grabbed his big walking stick and pounded the barren table for all he was worth, lie yelled out at the top of his voice, telling the negroes that he always stood by them; that he could not bo scared or Intimidated by threats of those who were opposed to him; that he had more than once risked his life in defense of Justiro and lie would lie willing to do so agan. He hogged them to be quiet until Capers had read the report of the committee. He punctuated his remarks with violent raps upon the table and when ho took his sent he was loudly cheered. Comparative quiet prevailed and , ^ .... I ;i|MMS I IF*' 11 M'IMI IIH' iOllOWIIlg I'OpOI't of the committee on resolutions and nominal ions. Tin1 Resolutions. "Wo commend in tin* highest tonus the action of tin* president of tho United Stales in (ailing to Ihe attention of congress Hie failure of oertain railroads to provide proper accommodations for colored passengers. manifesting, as his message to congress does. his purpose to insure a square deal to Ihe traveling public regard less of color. We also commend his action in insisting upon the passage of the hill which will protect the employed laborers from tho unfairness or aggression of their employers. "We congratulate the cuntry upon the continued administration of its affairs by a Republican president and a Republican congress and \\'q pledge our unqualified support to the nominee of the Republican party at Chicago. "We recommend that our national committeeman, ('apt. John (!. Capers, Maj. L. W. C. Rlalock, J. II. Fordham ami I. W. Tolbert, be appointed a committee with full authority to select, name and promulgate an electorial ticket for whom votes are to bo cast in November for president and vice president of the United St at es. "We commend to the president and Republican organization Col. R. R. Tolbert for collector of internal rov- ( enuo in t hpresent collector's tnjusfcr to tlio niMiiy service and urge up- 1 on liim all honorable means be ex- < ertcd to bring about such a change and appointment. ( "We, your committee, also reeom- 1 mend that the following is declared 1 the delegates at large and the alternates at large to the Republican national convention to assemble at Chicago in June, viz: lion. John (J. Capers, Maj. L. \V. C. Rlalock. Thos. L. Grant and 15. II I teas; alternates at large, R. R. Tolbert, Robt. Smalls, R. J. Logan, I'. 11. Richardson and L. I). Melton." Rules Willi Iron lloinl. The excitement that prevailed when Capt. Capers had finished reading the report can hardly be pictured in print. That part of the report which i referred to the president's message relating to the dim Crow cars was applauded. as was the endorsement of R. R. Tolbert for collector of internal revenue. There was also very general approval of that part of the report which pledged the Republican party in this Stato to support the nominee of the party chosen at Chicago, "whoever he may be." Hilt llio "i'iih inn" . ... ?..x. . t. .. ?..h v (inn; uni I U? J last paragraph iti the report was road. It was evident that many of tin? delegates were displeased with the selection of the four men named as delegates at large. Aaron Prloleau jumped into a (hair and began speaking at the top of his voice; others near the platform were doing likewise. In various parts of the hall delegates were screaming "Mr. Chairman." No- , body got recognized from the chair until some negro arose and moved that the report of the committee be adopted. Dens put the motion, called for the yeas and nays and declared the report adopted -all in a jiffy M and with gesticulating negroes protesting as loudly as ther lungs would permit. Priolean threw his arms wildly about In the air and vainly tried to got the attention of the chairman, ! who ignored him completely. Priolean was not by himself for in an instant a dozen or more were clamoring for recognition or shouting defiance at Peas for his action in "rail iwuuuiK tut' voie on uie resolutions and nominations. Prioleau and others made a dash for the platform, hut before they reached it Dens had declared the convention adjourned. Prioleau gained the platform and began speaking?or, rather, shouting, hut he failed to get a respectful hearing. Many of those who were (lis- ' gruntled because of the way in which the nominations for delegates were rushed through cheered Prioleau and urged him on, hut many others who were not pleased with the action of j the convention did not look with favor upon this negro as their spokesman. But Prioleau declared that the majority had been run over roughshod and called on the negroes to i nominate and elect a new set of delegates. j Another Ticket Named. During the excitement Prioleau announced that the following would go to Chicago as a protesting delegation: W. I*. Crum, Robert Smalls, A. S. v \ fohnsou and K. It. Toibert. He also lamed the alternates. Dr. Or 11 in mounted the platform ind repudiated Prioleau and declared hat he would not go as a contesting lolegate nor would lie have anything o do with Prioleau's efforts. Itohert Emails followed Cruni and declined 0 accept a place on the Prioleau tlckd. He said he did not approve of he manner in which the delegates it large were chosen, hut would have 10 part in any contest. After drum and Smalls refused to ;erve of the contesting delegation. Prioleau and some of his friends got ogethor afterward and "elected" the 'ollowing as delegates at large and alernates at large: it. It. Toibert of Mihevllle, A. S. Johnson of Colnmhia, P. H. Norris of Georgetown and C. G. Parrot t of Colnmhia; alternates, Dr. I. II. Goodwin of Hopkins, W. A. Smith of Irmo and John Gill. J. \V. 'lolhert threatened to call he roll of delegates hy counties and wive them vote on tehir choice of lelegates at large if It. It. Toibert ivas not put on tin* regular ticket as 1 delegate instead of an alternate. Papers then mounted the platform ind said something about being wiling to let It. It. Toibert go to Cliicigo as a delegate and be (Cap;rsi would go as an alternate, t was impossible to bear what was >oing said, but J. \V. Toibert appeared to bo salisiied, whatever tlie unlerstaiidiiig was, and in a few niin lies I lie delegates began leaving tin* tall. For several hours after the contention adjourned groups of deles were gathered about the city, llscussing the results of the meeting. 1'ho general opinion seemed to be that 'apers had won a complete victory villi the active assistance of I leas. Tolbcrt Claimed a Majority. \Y. Tolbert declared that night hat 100 out of the 12?> delegates uesent at iho convention were antiraff" and "antl-Koosevelt" and raid hat if Capers had not consented to during It. It. Tolhert on the list of lelegates in place of himself he would tiave polled the convention hy connLies and sent to Chicago an entirely 1 ifferont delegation. He says that three-fourths of the delegates from South Carolina at Chicago will he opposed to the present administration jr any candidate that Roosevelt kvant s The following district delegates tiave been elected.: Fourth district ?J. I). Adams, C. >. marshal, and Dr. \V. C. Smith, olored, of (It yenville. . Six.*h district A. I). Webster, postnaster at Orangeburg, and W. '1'. Andrews, colored, of Sumter. Seventh district? J. R. Lever, col?red, of Florence, and .1. A. Raxter, colored, of (leorgetown. oi Aocinrn oni iinm uLHooincu ouLuwn. \V.\\TI0I>. Wanted?Second-hand Jlags and Harlan. Any kind, any quantity, anywhere. We pay freight. Richmond Hag Co., Richmond, Va. Cow IVns ? I will pay $2.lit) per hush el, f. o. I>. your sloping point for Clays and Knlcnown Peas. Write nie. IT. H. Daniel, f?04 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, La. WATCH MS AND JEWELRY. Elgin and Walt ham Watches?High grade jewelry, direct from factory to you, cutting out till middlemen's profits. Write for beautifully illustrated catalog No. 14, free. K. M. Schron, Ids Astor Place, Jersey City, N. J. WANTED?TEACHERS. Teachers Wanted?tirade Teachers, Principals, Supts., Specialists. Direct calls. Kali opettings throughout Carolinas and entire South. No registration fee required. Write Carolina branch for "Yard of Our Record." Foster Teachers' Huroau, Clinton, S. C. FOR SALE?MISCELLANEOUS. I Til' Sale?Laundry outfit consisting of washer, extractor, stove ami dryer, boiler, mangel, pulleys, shafting. etc. Write J. \V. Ivey, Florence. S. C. For Sale?Seventeen thoroughbred hound pups. These pups tire bred from as fine fox dogs as can he found. E. R. BetsiU, Cross Keys, S. C. Shingles! Shingles! Shingles?We are wholesale dealers; car lot orders solicited; we are in position to fill all orders promptly. Stevens & . Cato, Monetta, S. C. For Sale Cheap?One Ruger Bread Mixer, one Thompson Moulding Machine; four Bread Presses; two Bread Troughs; one Cake Machine; 50 Plane Moulds; and many other things used in a first-class bakery. Apply to L. E. Riley, Orangeburg, S. C. I'or Hale?Charleston Wakefield Cabbage plants, r>0c to $1.00 per 1,000. Leghorn Eggs, 50 cents per dozen. ..Cabbages, $1.50 per crate. T. J. Hamlin, James Island. S. C. Por Sale?One twelve horse power Blakesley Gasolene Engine, cheap. Also lot pf shafting, pulleys, etc. Apply to L. E. Riley, Orangeburg, S. C. I'OH S A l j 10??EGGH A N I) POU LTRY. Kggs for Hatching?Barred Plymouth Rock and S. C. Brown Leghorn. $1.00 per sitting of 15, packed and f. o. b. Pure stock. New Blood. Blythcwood Poultry Yards, Blythowood, S. C. * v GREAT STORMS. : i Eight Hundred People Reported ; to Have Been Killed. > v. _____ I HARROWING DETAILS * i t Of a St'rics of Devastating I ornadoes i in China Show That Whole Towns Wore Wiped Out of KviMcncr and 1 I Hundreds of hives Were Destroyed. \ Thousands Are Homeless and in < Want. t This part of the world is not the only place where there have been great storms in the last few weeks. China i has been visited by devastating tempests, which destroyed many lives and doing much damage to property. A dispatch from Hong Kong sayn | it is now believed that hte death list from the tornadoes which swept over * the Hankow region will reach up- ( wards of Sao persons. Meagre reports ' from outlying districts add only bar- < Tolhert says that all hut two of ( the district delegates to the national i convention are opposed to Tuft and , The following were among the white men present at the convention, some of whom were not delegates: 1 John G. Capers of Washington; A. { I Lathrop of Orangeburg, assistant Pulled States district atorney; C. J. * Parcel I. postmaster at Newberry; J. 1 It. Cochran, Jr., postmaster at Anderson; It. It. Tolbert, Jr., of Abbeville; J. \V. Tolbert of Greenwood, John Scott, of New berry; J. Duncan Adams, I'nited States marshal. Char- y lesion; A. C. Merrick, I'nited States deputy marshal, Oconee; II. B. Hen- 1 dricks, Pickens;* I"". W. Screven,- deputy collector of internal revenue, 1 * 1 i i I I ????? | MP? W Southern Standa ICnMt imivf ?HOGl?S I <|Made by Nat 8| as healthful, as B the grape of tl H fig of the tree, fl Cj For all cool fl cheaper, and 1 fl the best of the B as butter for i * SI have had several year* other kinds of vegetable pla Collard plants, and Tomato f . . . , I now have ready for shlf Early Jersey Wakeficlds, Chart cessions. These being the bes farmers. These plants are gi will stand severe cold withoi Prices: $1.00 for 500 plant sand, 5,000 to 9,000 at $1.25 pc We have special low Expresi orders will be shipped C. O. I I would advise sending mon returning the C. O. D's. Other plants will be ready and personal attention. Wher I guarantee satisfaction. Addi 1GIBBES Guara INCLUDES GASOLINE ANI) STEAM ABLE AND STATIONARY ROILU ROGERS, PLANERS, SHINGLE, LA CORN MILLS, COTTON GINS, P MAKING OUTFITS AND KINDREI * Our stock is the most varied an Southern States, prompt shipment 1 ty. A postal card will bring our c GIBBES MACHINERY COMPANY, ?? ' owing details to the information aleady in hand. Means of communi atlon are poor, owing to the damage >y water and high winds. A recent report from Hankow esti- w nated the death list there at G'H?, >ut (his does not include those who lerlshed on nnmerons foundered vesicls. The violent tempests which avaged portions of the southeastern oast left death and destruction in heir wake for miles. Small hamlets were almost entirely lesroyed and in rural communities t will require many days to estimate lie loss of life and the loss in values ?icc urately. Many vessels of the coast in the Miina sea were unable to weather the dales. The fragments of sloops have men drifting in upon the beach carled by the he avv swell. Although here are no definite news from the ? oast towns, the loss of life is thought o be lleavv. BOAT TlltXIOD OX lilt. |'\vo Men and One Woman (Jot Drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Williard Stone and llovd Ward were drowned in Muskegon Lake about 1 I o'clock Wcdneslay night when their boat was overtimed by the high waves. Msis 10 th 1 Stewart clung to the boat and irifted a mile to the shore. Ail four f >f the party belonged at Lakeside, a mrburb of Muskegon, Mich SO MANY lave availed themselves of our Liber?1 Offer viz, $ I discount on .$HO and S!)t> )rgans, we have concluded to renew he offer for a short while :?? ti? ;<>t those excellent organs introduced nto every county and locality in S. C. >nl,v $-d first payment, $'JO Nov. 1st, IPOH, and halance Nov. 1st, 1!M)1>. These terius enable you to luty this b'irst-elass Sweet Toned Organ which >vi11 prove a Lasting Treasure. Don't Delay but write at once for catalog tnd price list to the old established MALOXirS Ml SIC lhn SK, Pianos and Organs. Columbia, S. O. ' "Up-to-date" Sawmill ts absolutely all the LATEST IMPROVETS. Ami we think wo nro safe 1 n saying, at feed on earth. A money maker for the BEST GOODS-BEST PRICES" mbia Supply Co.* Columbia. S. C. rd of Satisfaction || :c s i t-nnu j| ure. As pure, B ; wholesome as ? le vine or the 1 dng ? better, S lealthier than I V 1 1 k I ^ n i"J I T ' I i| iHi / experience In growing Cabbage plant* and all nta for the trade, viz: Beet plant#. Onion plant#, . lants. | tment Beet plant# and Cabbage plant* a* follow*: I caton Large Type Wakefield#, and Henderaon Sue- I t known reliable varieties *r? >11 ??? - W rnrnmm va|?V I IVUVCU U U4.1 rown out in the open air near aalt water and it Injury. a. In lota of 1,000 to 5,000 at $1.50 per thour thousand, 10,000 and over at $1.00 per thousand, i rates on vegetable plants from this point All >. unless you prefer sending money with orders, ey with orders. You will save the charges for In February. Your orders will have my prompt i in need of Vegetable plants give me e trial orders ress all orders to BHHHHHHHHHHIHHHIiHHHHHHHHBBHHHHi nteed Machinery * , ENGINES, PORT- JyJujL > KS, SAWMILLS, lTH, stave and jg i|wy tk RESSKS, BRICK d complete In the being oar specialt t Box HI, Colombia, S, CL