University of South Carolina Libraries
|Si"p|l Com. NO DECIDPJ) ACTION IS TAKEN. Chairman Irhy Brnmls Square A i n-.t Bolting?The M.uy Convention Most Decide the Quest Jon. I orifl ?ritt .tho Stato /mittco to in ion. 'raphs, was Columbia Register. It has boon shifted (\t Deinocratio Excoutivo tho Stato Democratic Corf That, in two short par; tho action of tho executive) committee lit ;f. night. Those who watched tho proceedings carefully hollovo that a majority of tho eomraittoo uro opposed to a holt, hut that sonic* of that majority \v?oro op posed to a tight on-the isMtc < at this time antl ao lorcod a stand-oil. Many of the coinraltteemtn weife in town all yesterday morning and inijuin erablo eaueusos and consultations wore hold. Tho committee met shortly af ter 8 p. m. in the Snnnto chamber. , Tho following wero present at tho mooting: J. Y.Jones, Abbeville ; W. M. .Ionian. Alken ; .). P. Glonn, Ander, son ; Si G. Mayiicld, Darnwell : Thomas Martin, Beaufort; It. H. SSveono.y, Borkoley ; P. II. Gadedon, Charleston ; T. J. Cunningham. Chester ; G. J. Ued fcarn, Choatorfiold S D. J. Brabhnrri, Clarendon; J. N. Pnrrott, Darlington ; lt. B. Watson, Edgofiold ; Thomas W. Traylor, Fairlleld; It. M. McCown, Florence; J. W. Gray, Greenville; J. P. Derham, Horry ; M. B. McSwconoy, Hampton; J. C. Elliott, Lancaster; J. L. M. Irby, Laurons; C. M. Efird, Lex ington ; J. ?. Montgomeiy, Marion; W. D. Evans, Marlboro ; J. A. Sligh, New berry ; J. It. Earle, Oconeo ; O. It. Lowman, Orangoburg ; T. C. Robinson, Piokons; Wilio Jones, Wchlnnd ; I). L. Bennott, Spartnnburg ; D. E. Kools,\ Sumter; A. C. Lyles, Union ; J. H. Jaekson, York. Colloton, Georgetown and Kershaw woro unrepresented. T. J. Kirklnnd, tho member from Ker shaw, telegraphed that circumstances over which he bad no control prevent ed his atterdanee, but that bo and his county wero going to stand by tho na tional Democracy. M. L. Donaldson of Greenville, S. C, member of tho National Democratic Executive Com mittee, .was present and sat with tho committee. Mr. Tompklns, tho secre tary of the committee, and Major U. It. Brooks, who was assisting the treas urer, wore also present. Chairman Irby explained how under tho party constitution it was necessary for tho State Domoeratic Executive Committoo to meet. He showed that there was a conflict in the constitu tion, parts looking to holding club meetings on tho first Monday in May and other parts looking to tho holding of tho County Democratic Conventions on that day. Ho thought tho commit tee ought to decide this questioo by firovldlng for the holding of club meet ngs on the first Monday in May and 1 county conventions on the second Mon- 1 day, whilo tho Stato convention, under tho constitution, moots on tho third 1 Wednesday. Then he touched upon tho vital is- 1 suo of tho day. Ho said the Domocra- I cy of the committee bad been ques tioned slnco 1SDO, hut it was tho only I Democratic committco in the State 1 and tho legal successors of tho com mittee which rescued tho Stato in 1 1870. Ho said the committco wore 1 cither here as Democrats, or as bolters and traitors. On other occasions, such 1 remarks would not bo necessary, but the threats of a split and bolt made it necessary to moot tho issuo fairly and squarely. Ho would spoak out. Tho committee had como into possession of the machinery under a written pledgo \ to tho people that they wero Domo \ crats. If thoy wero not Democrats-, if I thoy wanted to desert, let them do so I boldly and openly and straightforward ly. How hbd desertion been threat en led ? Tho Conservatives had tried in I dopenden tism and bolting and been tbeatou. But now a greater danger (threatened. The Democracy is threat ened by a distinguished Democrat, who mas been one of tho greatest leaders an tho Stato since tho war. Ho had wad that if this State did uot get what ift'a wanted in tho national convention, lhV eighteen representatives would sato the four hundred and odd other mnbers that they would not submit majority rulo. Ho denounced this position and said tbero was only ono hqrable way to do, to go to Chicago ankubmit to tho will of tho majority, wither that will coincide with tho wies of tho South Carolina Domo era or- not. IS D. H. Tompkins, tho secretary of v committee, then called tho roll. SoW substitutes presented their crehtials. 'in came a fight to exclude tho pull from tho mooting. NlEvans said in vlow of tho is BUeUsed by tho chairman's addross, thchimittce ought to meet in oxecu tlvdssion. Ho moved that tMs bo donl Mirndham seconded tho motion. Miau.-dou opposed tho motion, for all koorats wero vitally Interested andjuld bo given fu'l opportunity to kj how their representatives mot thoikist. He thought it better that tho ts get the doings of the oom mltltraight than somo garbled ac-1 couilrnished after it adjourned by somimber. Tll)te resulted in favor of an ox ccuUession, as follows : YoJ. oY. Jonos, Jordan, Glonn, May I Sweeney, Rcdfearn, Brad' hnmktson, Traylor, McCown, Mc Swed Derham, Elliott, Ellrd, Evatilontgomery, Sligh. Earlo, Lowi Bennott, Lyles. Blackwoll, Don?i, Jackson?24. N aMartin, Gadsdon, Cunning hamA-ott, Gray, Irby, Wilio Jonos, Alle hall was vacatod by tho epectl, Messrs. 'McSweoney and Graylo a fight to havo tho nows papen allowod to romaln in tho meet!Messrs. F.vans and Lowman madchhes in opposition, and the newsrimon wero keut out. Aftb reporters woro oxcludoci, Mr. ^introduced tho following re solutil Whlalnco this exooutivo com mlitoitlQff under authority dele gated |>y tho Democratic party of Southlina, and thoroforo possesses no oribowora ; bo it lies! That in the opinion of this exooivbmmittco that It would bo transcb its powers to undortako to dectucs and questions which bolonfapriatoiy to the Democratic State Itlon. Thai furthermore tho opinion of thlsbittoe that It is unwiso oven tuss all such issues and questid-o it would be an effort to forcstohctlon of tho sovereignty of tho I Andlrinoro that the only duty this oxh commltteo oan properly pcrtortulreot the reorganization of tho jfemooratlo olubs and tho holiHndnty conventions and that of the Inventions. Mr. tiado a long speech claim' ing tbe com ti.it U o had no authority to do anything. Ho spoko at ? great length, hut stuck to that one point. Genral Gray, of Greenville, offered tho following resolution as a substi tute: ' Whereas an is9Uo has been raised questioning tho loyalty of the Deuio oraoy of South Gaiollna to tho national Democratic party, and whereas a sug gestion has neen uaado that tho dele gates to the National Democratic Con vention from this Stuto should bolt tho National Democratic Convention on certain contingencies; and whereas tho Stato Executive Committee con siders that it would bo suicidal on the part of tho Domocracy of South Caro lina to sovor its conncetlon with the national Domocracy; now, therefore, ho It resolved that it- is tho sonso of this committoe that no porson shall be eligible to raomborship in tho Demo oruticclubs who is not aqualiticd votor at tho primaries of tho pui'ty as pro vided by tho constitution of tho party and will not pledge himself to support the nominees of the Stuto ana national Democracy. General Gray eommonced by show ing the fallacy of tho promises assum ed by Mr. Sligh. ijo said an issue had been made by tho letter of Senator Tillman to Mr. Held. Tho chairman of this committee had wisoly and pa triotically called tho committeo to gether to consider tho issue raised by Mr. Tillman. The committee could woll atTord to ignoro tho issue made by private parties, but having been raado by a public ofllcial, .one of tho acknowl edged leaders, If not the most influen tial, of tho Democratic party in this State. Tho oyts of the Democracy all over tho United States are watching tho action of this committee, who aro tho trustees and guardians of tho De mocratic party in this Stato and as such it became necessary for them to act in such a manner us to confirm in the minds of all men our loyalty to tho Democratic party. If a holt was threatened, tho Conservatives would organize what would bo tho true Dem cratic organization of tho Stato and the delegates sent by them would bo boated by tho national convention. Capt. Blaokwell, who was a substi tute for Senator Williams, of Wil iia',insburg, made a short speech saying tha.t tho peoplo wouldn't vote for any gohubugs. Senator Irby then took the floor and made*.one of the greatest speeches of his liffc. Ho talked clearly and vigor ously u^nd defined Democratic duty so plainlyMhat no one could mistake it. lie said ; I deny' that the momber from Now barry is cuirrect in his assertion that we havo no duties or powers. Wo aro tho guardiaios or trusteos of tho wholo Democracy of tho State ; we are the doorkoopers of tho Demooratio party. Tho constitution requires a password ; the peoplo expect that password to bo given before any man, white or black, shall outer tho cu-uforonces, councils or organization of tho party. Wc might as well meet tho issuo face to fuco. it is a plain one. It is not bo tweon tho Democracy and its old onoiuy, tho Republican party, but bo tweeen tho Democracy and. Populism. Wo must either bo Democrats or do sertors?not bolters, because nothing has been done to justify a bolt. Wo should soe that no man shall partici pate in the selection of dole^ates from | the clubs who is not a simon-pure, | gonuinc Democrat. Are you men the j representatives of tho party that stood by the people sinco '7t>, from political cowardico going to allow Populists to shape tho policy and name tho' noml- | nees of tho party ? I admit bh?t tho ' outlook for*8uccesa ismot promising, but aro we going to throw down our guns and refuse to light for our principles P What would tho peoplo have thought { of you old soldiors after the battle of j Gettysburg had you cried out: " We'd can't win tho cause of tho Confcdor-" acy and won't tight any more !" You j would have beon deserters, and you I aro deserters now to tho Democratic ; party if you refuse to defend her against her enemies within and with out tho party ?I'opulists, Republicans or Third Partyites. We may not win, but if wo loso, I shall go down with the colors of this State jn my hand. If you refuse to do your duty and bind our votors to abide tho result and divido tire white people of the Stato, you alono must bo responsible. I have warned you, whether you heed it or not. Inaction means destruction to tho organization of the State. If wo rofuse to discipline and organizo as tho peoplo expect us, the Conservatives will organizo on what thoy deem Democratic lin?is. In '02, when you hoped to control tho May convention and the primaries and to prevent tho Conservatives from bolting, this exe cutive committee, many of whom aro now mombers, passed the following rule : Tho applicant for membership, or votor, shall bo twonty-ono years of ago and bo a white Democrat, or a negro who voted for General Hampton In '70. Every member of a subordinate club or votor in a Democratic primary shall pledge himself to abide tho re sult of tho primary and support tho nominees of tho party." You were not satisfied with this iron-clad pledge You didn't believe that tho Conservatives would tell tho truth. You were willing to further humiliato the whito elector, Conserva tive and Keformor. You wore very careful to guard tho door against mongrolH. You Imposed an oa?h and I required all to swallow it, to wii. : I '? I do solemnly .swear that i am duly qualilied to voto at this election ac ' cording to tho rules of tho Dnmoorutic party, and that I have not voted before at Mi in election." "?{any Conservatives, over HO.OOO, swallowed this oath and stood by It, but now, whon you are asked to hind tho participants in (dub meetings to take a simple pledge not to bolt, many of you object. It is not fair, it is not honest, it is not honorable, to deal in this way in politics, and we ought to sond our representatives to Chicago upon equal terms with others. Can this State's Democracy over forgot tho Democrats of tho North whon wo had a dual government and woro fighting to throw off tho nogroes' voko, that tho Northern Democrats camo to our roliof and stood by us like brothers? Do you 8upposo tho poopla of this State or tho'South can ovor forget tho Senators of tho Wost and North who fought clay and night without inter mission to protect tho South against tho passage of a forco bill ? No, sirs, when you expect a Carolinian to bolt, you aro wrong; wo are Democrats by inheritance; tho principles arc undy ing and will I i vc as long as wo havo a government of the people, and whether you protect thorn against tho invasion of the Populists and anarchists, or not, thoy will still be Deraoorats. If this division must como among the white people, you alone will bo re sponsible for it. Mr. K Oester, of Tho ltogiator, a close observer, has esti mated tho number of negroes who will register at sevonty-flvo or eighty thou sand. Wo cannot maintain white supremacy In this State with a divis ion among tho poople, and that divis ion will como If wo subject ourselvss I to the charge of political cowardice by ' refusing to exact pledges, not oaths, of I every man who participates in our club mooting*. 1 have uo idea that you will not take this position of requir ing the votora to abide tho redult and stand by the nomineos. I havo been in politics too long not to know what has been going on horo in tho last twonty-four hours. Any one can guoss what tho programme is: Dodgo this issue, ignore this gioat crisid, so vital to tho very oxlstonco of the Demo cracy of tho Stato ; come horo in Stato coaveution; scud delegates to Cbicugo ; bolt the national convontion and mako our Stato and it8 Democracy the laughing stock of this great na tion. Why not mcot the issuo squaroly and say whether you are in f av>. r of a bolt or no bolt? Tho very idea of oigtiteon men undertaking to dictate the platform and nominees of the greatest and grandost party on earth in a convention composed of botweon eight hundred aud nine hundred men. What is tho use of tho other Status goiug thcro at all? Why not Rave time and expense by letting South Carohnu namo tho uomlnno and mako bis platform? If South Carolina can claim tho right to go there and do as she pleases, why not all the othor States como with just such a fool proposition? If all of thorn could como with any such proposition as that, what is tho uso to have any na tional convention at all ? The truth is, it is silly, it is rid ion lmm, it is unmanly, it is uutruo to tho Democracy of this Stato. The people arc opposed to be ing put in any such attitudo. It ox- f citob ridicule, contempt and scorn from tho outjido world. It is unfortunato that wo should luivo evor been in any such a prodicument. Mr. Sligh askod Senator Irby if tho State convention oloctod him a dele gate, and instructed him, if certain things wore not granted in tho plat form, would bo bolt. Senator Irby, raining his right hand, said In a most emphatic manner : " Bofore God and man, I would not. I would not accept oilice upon any such terms." Mr. Donaldson mado quite an able spoech, cool and unitnpassioned, say ing ho was tho connecting link bo twoon the Stato and national Demo cracy. "Wo cannot." naid ho, "do Otherwise than .stand by the national Democracy. Chairman Irby's call was proper and ho would have boon re creant to his trust if ho had remained s'lent under tho circumstances." Mr. Donuldbon counselled unity and har mony among all tho Democrats. All want freo silver, but cannot ronounce allegiance to tho party of our fathers. Mr. Gadsden of Charleston made a good speech. He was tho only Con servative in tho committee, but did not spoak for tho Conservatives of tho Stato, but his people in Charleston. Tho Conservatives were not going out of tho party, but If tho ltoformorms did, would reorganize tho party. Tho white people bad been divided for four years, but tho constitutional con vention had brought thorn ncaro.* togother and given hopo that thoy would bo again united. Mr. Sligh had said it was unwise to discuss the issue and then ho took an hour to justify a bolt. Mr. Bradham said tho pcoplo of his county would do as they pleased and would not bo dictated to. Mr. Efird charged Senator Irby with attempting to dictate, and Senator Irby in a very positive manner denied any effort as chairman or otherwise to dic tate to the committee. "So help mo God," said ho, " I am working for the best interests of the whole people of tho Stato." Mr. Ktird said he did not mean dic tation in an unfriondly or disrespectful sense. " You charged us," said he, ?* with having been fixed by outside in fluenced. I hope this is satisfactory to you." Honator Irby nodded assent. Senator Mayfiold said he would not folve Instructions from tho Senator ai Edgefleld ?r the Senator from irons. Ho had a high respect for h, but preferred to got instructions m his own people. Ho said send uoiegates toChioago Instructed to vote for silver first, last and all the time, but never bo't. He said it was useless for tho'committee to discuss tho mat ter as thoro was no proposition to bolt. Senator Eflrd Introduced tho follow ing resolution: Uebolved, That each county chair man bo requested to call a meeting of each Democratic club in his county tobe hold on tha second day of May, 181)1), for the purpose of organizing the clubs for the ensuing election ; of elec ting ono oxecutivo eommlttoomen to represent the club in tho county exo cutivo committee for the ensuing two years ; of electing one representative for oaoh twenty-flvo names or majority fraction thereof on tho club roll at tho first lust preceding primary election to represent the club at tho county convention to be held at the county seat on the first Monday in May ; and ho ii further requested to call a moot ing of tho Domoeratlo county conven tion to bo hold at the county soat on the first Monday in May, 1890, at 11a. m. for tho purpose of electing a county oxecutivo committoe and a Stato exo cutivo committeeman for tho next en-I j suing two years ; and of electing tho number of represontativos to which his county is entitled to represent such county in the Stato Democratic convention \o bo hold at tho State capital on tho third Wednesday in May, 18'Jl). That the clubs and county conventions in their actions horeunder will bo governed and guided by tho Constitution of the Democratic party of South Carolina, adopted in Stato con vention, at Columbia, s. c, September 19, i?yi. Ho said : " If you adopt tho resolu tion introduced by Mr. Sligh, the com mittee will bo oharged with taking sidoa with Senator Tillman; if you adopt Gonoral Gray's resolutions tnoy will say you have taken sides with Sonator Irby. I am opposed to both resolutions and think that the resolu tion Introduced by myself will satisfy tho pooplo and the Democratic party." Turning to Sonator Irby, he said : " I am half with you. I am opposed to a bolt. If you pass the resolutions in troduced by myself, you carry out tho provisions of tho constitution of tho party." Mr. Sligh wanted to withdraw his resolution, but the chairman ruled ho could not do so without unanimous con sent. Mr. Dradham told a joko which elicited hearty laughter, Mr. Ellrd's Substitute resolution was adopted unan imously and tho committeo adjourned sinodio. all its members apparontly in good humonand ploased with tho out come of the meeting, whioh dofors the tight until the May convention. ?One reasos men ovo restl mate themsolvos and underestimate thoir nolghbor? is that they give themselves credit for all thoir good desires and purposes. Thoy know of the good they wish wore done, and they take to thomsolvos crodit for wishing it. But thoy cannot soe tho dosiros and pur pod?s of thoir neighbor; but only their deeds,1 and hence this credit falls. Judging thomsolves by thoir desires and others by thoir deods, man think of themselves more highly and of their neighbors less highly than they ought to think THREE VETOES BY THE GOVERNOR, THIS MAGISTRATE'S ACT DISAP PROVED. Ho Claims tho Right to Remove for Cause?Couu?y Treasurers' State ments to ho Published. Columbia Register. There were borne 200 bills passod by tho Gonoral ABscrobly at it3 reeeut session, and Govornor Evans only ve toed four or fivo of thorn. One or two of them wore vetoed while tho Legis lature was In session and three have been vetoed since its adjournment. Tho most important measure of the three was that declaring tho law of the Stato with reference to tho ap pointment, duties and compensation of magistrates, as trial justices are called under the new constitution. Governor Evans's objections to tho magistrates' bill aro two-fold. In the first place the bill denied him to re move magistrates, even for cause, aud in the second place it prohibited reap* pointmont by tho Governor of magis trates whoso appointment tho Senato refused to confirm. Both of tho provisions which are ob noxious to the Governor wcro placed in tho bill by tho Senate. Tho I louse voted both of them down. Tho bill finally went to a free conference, fail ure to adopt whoso report kills any bill which they have considered. Tho free couforonco committee agreed to tho Senato amendments, und, ruthor than kill tho bill, tho Houso accepted tho rnnort. Governor Evans is determined in his opposition to the curtailment of tho power of tho chiof executive which would bo accomplished by tho passago of an act depriving him of tho right to remove magistrates. Ho says that tho knowledge of his possession of that powor restrains magistrates and makes thorn attend strictly to their duties, for fear of official decapitation. In coversation with a Register report er, ho montioned several instances where magistrates bad failed to do their duty, and claimed that such men ought not to be allowed to retain their Offices, but tho Governor should havo the power to put their official heads in bis waste basket. Ono of tho cases mentioned was that of a trial justice who was so violently opposed to tho dispensary law that he would neglect to send up to tho Court of General Sessions for trial eases made out against violators of that statute. The constitution says the Cover n*r Bhull have tho powor to appoint cer tain ollicers, by and with tho advice and consent of tho Senato. Senators 1 contend that this confers a substantial power upon the Senato, which should bo protected. Tho custom has bocn I foi a G;?vornor. if the Senate rejected j any of his appointments, to wait until t no Senate adjourned and thon reap point tho rejtetod appointoe. Senators i maintain that if this practico is to bu allowed to continu-j, there is not a bit of use in the Senate passing on appoint moots, for its continuation or rejection does not amount to a row of pins. Thoy waut tho Senate's powor with regard to appointments mado a sub stantial roahty. On tho other hand, the Governor claims that the constitution lodgos tbo appointing power in bis hands, and that passago of tho provision prevent ing reappointinent of an appointee re jected by the Senato really operates to transfer that power to tho Senato. it is hardly likely that tbo Govornor will lose tho power ho desires to pre serve, for the Housii will not likely con sent to tho passage of such a bill over his veto. The argument presented to tho members of tho House is very plausible and has some force. It is practically to this effect: You are en titled to some show in?tho matter of appointments. The Govornor is usually guided in the making of appointments by tho desire of the majority of tho members of the delegation from the country for which the appointment is to be mado. It is frequently the case that the Rep resentatives favor tho appointment of ono man, while tho Senator wants an other to land. Tho Governor takes the advico of tho members of tho House and appoints thoir man, whoso appointment tho Senator has rejoctod, Senatorial courtesy operating to havo his confeores vote against any appoint ment which docs not suit liim. When the case is put in this light, tho mom bora of the I louse, are apt to protect what thoy consider their rights, oven if those rights aro not specified in tho constitution. If all tho Senators would examino Into tho merits of. an appointment, there would be some value in tho pro vision requiring appointments to re ceive tho sanction of tho Senate, but if each Senator, In return for liko con sideration, simply votes against an ap pointment because it is objectionablo to the Senator from tho county for which it is mado, then it appoars that the continuation provision, coupled with a law provouting roappointment of K rejected appointee, would un doubtedly practically take the appoint ing powor out of the Governor's hands and put it for each county in tho bands of the Senator from that county. Tbo effect oi* tho veto of this bill will bo to loavo tho old law governing trial justices of ffirco, for tho consti tution expressly says that it shall i'0* main of force until tho General Assem bly passes a now law regulating tho duties, o'.c, of magistrates. The next in importance of tho bills vetoed by tbo Govornor was that doing away with tho publication of tbo an nual reports of County Treasurers in tbo county papors. The contention in favor of tho bill was that such publl cations cost tho taxpayers largo sums ' of money, for whioh thoro was no com menmjiato roturn. Tho Governor claims that thoro is valuo in tiio pub* ilcation of tho reports of tho County Treasurers, for tho taxpayers can lind out from them what has boon done with their money and acts as a eheck on the treasurers, provonting thorn from making overpayments or pay ments to t^fimselvos in tho name of other partic >? The third bill votoed was ono pro viding for froe distribution among tho mombors of tho General Assembly of copies of volumo ono of tho South Carolina statutos, edited by Thomas Cooper. Those books aro on salo in tho Stato library and tho Governor thinks if any legislator wants one, ho should buy it. Besides, tho act ap propriated no funds to pay for mailing tho books and there, is no fund which can bo dovoted to that purposo. ?President E. H. Aull, of the State Press Association, has appointed tho following members to roproaont the Association at the meeting to bo hold in Spattanburg on tho 15th inst. in-the interests of tho Cotton States' Exposi tion in Chicago, viz: J. E. Boggs, Piokons Sontinol ; James A. Hoyt, Greonvillo Mountaineer; N. G. Gon zalon, Columbia Stato; C. A. Calvo, Columbia Il^gistor; ). C. Hemphill, Nows and Courler ; W. W. Ball, Char leston Post; H. O. Ostoon, Sumtor watohroan and Southron; M. B. Mo SwVmnoy, Hampton Guardian ( J. J* Hull, ltock Hill JJerald. I j TUE WEBSTER REPULRJANS. ' They aro Looking 10 McKinley for a Share or Publio Plunder. Tho Webster faction of the Republi cans held a convention in Columbia on tho 7th inst., which was largely at tended from all parts of tho State. Tho leaders were Ii A. Webster and Thos. E. Miller, with a largo following of tho mou, white und colored who have been conspicuous heretofore in Republican conventions. E. A. Webster. Robert Smalls, T. B. John ston and W. D. Crum were chosen delegates to St. Loui3, and tho follow ing endorsement of McKluley was made: i "Resolved. That tho Republicans of South Carolina recognize in tho Hon. William McKinley, of Ohio, tho most distinguished champion of the Republican policy of protection and reciprocity ; that wo honor him as tho defeudor of a sound Kystom of tinanco and boliovo i'n him as a type of tho best American citizenship in both public and prlvato life, and that wo hereby express to tho delegates elected to tho St. Louis convontion our judg ment that thoy should use all reason able efforts to secure his nomination for tho Prosideney." E. J. Dickerson offered tho follow ing resolutions, which woro adopted without dissent : " Wo congratulate the peoplo of tho Stato upon tho increaso of tho facili ties for tho education of tho youth of tho Stato, and wo avail ourselves of this opportunity of tendering our thanks to tho delegates of tho con stitutional convention for this wise provision, calculated to promote a wise, patriotic and intelligent citizon ship. I " We appreciate the noblo and faith I ful services of tho six colored dolo : gates in promoting tho establishment ; of the Colored Normal, industrial, j Mechanical and Agricultural College I for tho higher education of tho negro, j Appreciating the character, lltness and ability of tho Hon. Thos. E. Miller, of Beaufort, wo heartily approval tho general sentiment of the people of the Stato favorable to his election as pre sident of this college, and wo hereby ondorso him for the same." Mr. Diokeraon also proposed tho fol lowing platform, which was unani mously adopted : The Republican party of South Caro lina through their chosen representa tives, in convention duly assembled In the capital of tho Stato, undaunted by intrigue of designing men for their destruction, congratulate theit follow Kepuhlicans everywhere upon tho splendid victorios achieved by tho party throughout tho country in Stato, Congressional and Senntorial elec tions, as well as upon tho propitious signs of the times of coming victory for tho Republican party in tho Pre sidential election in November of tho present year. Wo reaffirm our faith in tho doctrine of protection to American industries, which undor wise Republican legisla tion moro thau any principlo of any party ban maintained tho onwurd march of prosperity for the working men of our country oy tho reduction of ririocs or manufactured articles of I general consumption, aud by levying duties upon such imports coming into competition with tho production of similar articles of American produc tion, and provent homo labor from competition with foreign labor in its ovor-orowded condition of pauperism. We stand with our party in the reiteration of its demand for both gold and silver as standard money. Wo belicvo that legislation should seeuro and maintain the parity of values of the two motals to tho end that the pur chasing aud debt paying powor of tho American dollar, silver, gold aud paper, shall bo tho same any and everywhere. Wo bolievo that alono can sccuro this rosult. Tho right to cast a froo ballot in public olcctions and have it fairly countod and honestly returned is of the essence of American citizenship, and any attempt to abridge that right except for tho commission of crime, for which tho party shall have been duly convicted, strikes at tho very root of our government and saps tho foundation of tho highest American institution, the government founded by tho people, for tho pcoplo and of tho pcoplo. Wo appoal to tho people of the Stato to enforce the wiso and timely provi sions of tho new constitution to sup press lynching, and ask ministers of tho Gospel and tho public press to join us in a righteous crusade by teaching respect for law and order on tho ono hand and rogard for the virtuo of women on tho other, while prompt and exact justice bo motcd out in the courts of law for all crimes, whether committod by tho one or tho many, in secret or openly. Wo contend that forclblo resistance to tho mob by the of ficers of the law, even if members of the mob must bo shot down to provent tho consummation of tho wicked pur pose of their assembling, will go a far way towards preventing the recur rence of tho scones that have disgraced certain portions of ttie State, and will prove a wholesome lesson, which will generally bo hcodod throughout the Stutn. Tho recognition of belligerent rights to tho Cubaus in a war for indepen dence from Spain in an act of justice, founded upon general Inunano princi plef, and in keeping with tho lessons taught by the United States, tbe fore most of American governments es pecially since tho advent of tho Inhu man VVeyler upon tho scone. We en dorse tho wise act of Congress in tuking decisive action in tho promises, an act which will force peace by shortening tho struggle and minimiz ing tho ^destruction of lifo and pro perty. Wo join tho progrossivo spirit of tho nation which prompted Congress to remove tho disabilities of ex-Con federato soldiers, thus forgetting tho war, and bringing in closer touch the whole of tho American peoplo, to the end of promoting moro general, \in solfish and genuine patriotism. North and South, East and West, for our grand and glorious country, proving tho grand old party a national and not a sectional old party, that oven ox Confcderato soldiers can join in de fiance of tho taunts and sneers of those who have outlivod their usefulness but not thoir nreiudico. Upon this platform wo nro willing to bo judged, willing to stand or full, and wo call upon nil patriotic South Carolinians, without regard to past party affiliations, to join us in our effort to promote thcso ends by the election of Republican Congressmen and a Republican President and Vice President of tho United States in No vember noxt. Wo assure all of a hearty wolcomo in our ranks and ample rewards for their faithful services by sharing with them tho results of our achievements, and pro per recognition by olovation, as their worth and character may demand, to honor and plaoo. ?Tho Agricultural Society of Char leston have deolded to hold a Floral Fair about tho /lrst of May. HE NUM. favors bolting. Tillman on tho ?Powers of tho Execu tive Committee?His Views on Stato and National Questions. I Senator Tillman made u visit to Colombia when the Stato executive committee was in session, and prior to its action he talked with tho reporters, lio was not exactly in tho humor to have a stereotyped interview. Ho chatted on a variety of topics, jumping from ono to tho other. Ho remurkeu thut ho expected to havo an easy time of it in Washington, but liuds that ho has moro work to do than when ho was in tho Governor's otllco. Tim Nows and Courier reports him us follows : Senator Tillman wus asked what was the purpose of his visit to Columbia at this time, and ho said ho only wanted to consult with his friends about mat tors and lot thorn understand how things stood at tho other oud of tho lino. Ho was not a member of tho State oxueutivo committee, and would, of course, not presume to give any advice, but merely wanted to talk over matters with his friends. What ho would liko to see, ho said, was for tho peoplo of South Carolina to keop together. Ho wanted to keep tho Stato Democracy from splitting to pieces, and ospooiullly so at this time, and further that no yardstick should bo put to any man's Domocracy that would immedirtoly drive him from tho party. Tho purpose of tho committee, ho thought, ought not to bo to disrupt, but to hold the machinery and voters togothor and keep all of those in line who aro anxious to drift away, and then if later on the question of split ting comes up it will bo time enough to decide. Senator Tillman was inelinod to the opinion that Stair and national affairs ought to bo kept apart, and that South Carolina could very well afford to act slowly. The State has twice before been alouo in casting its electoral vote. Ho said that, while there was a good deal of talk about tho position ho 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 wer? afraid of Iiis plan seemed to think that they had a pre-emption oti the ollicos, and wero afraid to jeopardize their chances by bringing about a right. When I asked Senator Tlllman what were tho indications from the Wash ington ond of the line, us he viewed them, lie 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 all vor men from the Republican Convention in St. Louis it will bo because the politicians, who will secure tho places of delegates, will not represent Western Republican sentiment. Ho 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 tho tight to the finish and will only be kept quiet because of the work of tho " machine/' if at all. Senator Tillman went on to say that whilo he thought the silver delegates would be in the majority in tho Na tional Convention, he did not know what course the other delegates would take. By remaiuing in the Conven tion they may temper the notion 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 ho felt that the St. Louis Silver and Populist Conven tion would support such a nominee. Thon Senator Tillman was asked what ho thought of tho Democratic chances any way, and ho replied by saying that the chances were ten to ono in favor of McKlnley's nomination, and that tho only way ho saw of de feating him was by a consolidation of tho silver forces. Sentiment in favor f silver has, in bis opinion, grown greatly in tho last few months. The silvor men are getting ready to be more aggrcssivo and determined and outspoken and thoy are going to leave oithor the Democratic or Republican party, if silver is not given the proper showing. " Why men who would not talk to me in Decomber are about long sido of mo now," he remarked. Senator Tillman happened to have soveral letters in his pocket from tuen in different States in which his posi tion was approved. One of tho letters was from a man in Iowa, who claimed to bo a Republican and another waa from a Texan who said for fifty years ho had been a Democrat, but was ready to follow Tillman. Senator Tillman said ho had received a thousand let tors within tho last few weeks from Republicans and twice as many from Democrats endorsing his position and begging hiin to help the fight along for silver. They all promised to go to any party that would give them silver, and those letters were only samples ho thought of general opinion. Ho is satisfied that the majority of the voters in eithor of the big parties is ready to follow the silver banner no nuitter what party happens to bo car rying it. Senator Till man is receiving many invitations to imfkeaddresses. He has made the following appointments for April: Lexington, Ky, April II ?.Den ver, Col, 15; Warrensburg, Mo, IS; lecture on problems of the Government for the Confederate Monumental As sociation, at St. Louis, 20, Owensboro, Ky, 22. Ho says im does not care to make dates any further in advance. He was asked whether ho expected to make any speeches in South Carolina anil ho said that dopondod on circum stances, and he might, if ho wore able and th'3ro wer? occasion, come hero after Iiis Western trip. ?A Cuban sympathizer residing in Paris, France, lias been sending a monthly contribution to the causo of $4,000. through a citizen of Phila delphia. The fifth installment ban just boen recoivol from the gentle man, who simply signs himsolf " Un Amlgo" (a friend). Tho money is turned over to Dologato Pulma by Dr. Guitoras, of Philadelphia, who has boon selected by the sympathizer's friend in Philadelphia to act as in termediary. Accompanying the last installment was u check for $1,000, which sum tho sympathizer asks to bo given to tho widow of Manuel du la Cruz. Manuol do la Cruz was a Cuban patriot and publisher, secretary of Senor Palma, and bodied in New York last February, leaving in poverty his widow and throo children. ?Assistant Attorney General Town* send hns statod that oxhibition of ro coipts hir poll and other taxes was not nocossavy to secure rrogistrution, but that a man could not vote if ho could not show tax receipts dated at least six months prior to the olection. The objeotof this six months provision is to prevent candidates and their frionds, in the boat of a campaign, raising monoyand paying taxes in order to qualify voters. DOWN IN FLORIDA AGAIN. BILL AHP AMONG THE FLOWERS. Ho Moots a Good Many Acquaint ances?flow a Fishing Party Gaue cd lino Anxiety. Witli but littlo warning I had to Wave home and wife and two daughters aud numerous grandchildren and run down to Florida on business. Here 1 am again at Clearwater, breathing its balmy air and feasting my visiou upon the same beautiful sunsets and dancing waters aud tropical scenery that always charm me when i come. 1 am happy with three other daughters and two dear little grandchildren and with congenial friends who greeted my coming and gave me a glad welcome. Life is still worth llviug, if for nothing else but tho pleasure 01 meeting those who uro dear to you and receiving the COrdlal salutation of friends. They tell me that if 1 did not discover Clciir water, 1 uncovered it to the Southern people, who had never heard of such u place, and now 1 Und scores of visitors who are looking in upouthe hoautics of this place and buying property, und preparing to plant here their winter homes. I was surprised to soo so many of Atlanta's good people visit ing here?tho Hillyors, llemphillb, Uowells, Inmaus, Swanuas, English, Colonel George W. Scott, Dr. Palmer aud others?and even Mr. Plant and Colonel Wrenn and their wives did ftr a time leave the Tampa Bay hotel and found a happy hiding place in Clear water. Just think of Captain Evan Unwell staying hero a week or two without saying a word about Clove laud otN finance or conventions or any other politics during his stay. Tin calm serenity of this heaveu-favored spot put politics to the blush utid smothers all selfish ambition and ungodly thoughts. Tho tired mind comes bore In search of rest, and finds it. Evan Howell used to smilo i t my gushing letters, and declared tiici? wus no stiel) place this sides of heaven ; but now tbut bo has seen It with his ? > ?, be can't Und adjectives enough to express bis admiration, and, like i> loyal husband, has gone after his wif to come down and make a choice of u buy-front lot. ilo &a\s ho is prepared 10 believe anything I say?yes, even my fish stories. I told him ahout an oiil lady who had lived near here for lifly years, and whon she. wanted fish for breakfast, walked down the bluff and waded out U few yards into tho crystal water and held out her apron ami let the fish jump in it. Evan smiled, but said nothing. Next morn inn 1 met my old friend Turner, who publishes a paper at Statosboro, Ga. I introduced him to Captain Howell as a man who was born and raised here, and captain, thinking to put off a good joke on me, told Mr. Turner what 1 said about an old woman catching tlsh hero in her apron before the war. Mr. Turner looked at him : " Ho told you the truth, sir; that woman was my mother." When a man first comes hero and sees extraordinary things, he is almost afraid to tell of them when iie goes back home, and he begins to iook around for a credible witness. Colonel Scott, the quiet old gentleman who founded the Agues Scott institute, has bought a beautiful bay-front, with an orange grovo attached, and asked me to waik down and seo him measure a grape fruit tree. He did it very care fully, aud found it was fifty-two inches around four feet from tho grouud. Ho said ho had measured it before, but wanted a witness. So, for fear he. may bo suspected of exaggeration, I had just as well give the certificate. That tree is seventeen inches in diameter four feet up from its base. The groves around hero have, pretty much re covered from the freeze and arc now covered with biooms. Some groves suffered but little, and never lost a crop. Mr. Bailey's grove, near Clear water, gave him an average crop, and so did Mr. Markioy's. Our home mar ket has not iieen without a supply of fine, tii>t-clasr> fruit, as far superior to the California oranges as an apple is to a persimmon. If 1 had money, 1 would invest in a grovo or two on speculation, for here is tho safety line, ami Florida oranges and grape fruit will command high prices for some years to come. Yesterday morning our young people made up a grouper party and sailed out to the coral reofs in the green blue gulf. 1 was respectfully invited u> stay at home and look after tho little girl and they promised to he back by ?I o'clock. 1 reau and wrote and ru minated and played with tho child and helped her make sand pies, until the sun was Hearing the hori/.on, but still there was no sail in sight. Every few minutes l scanned the distant waters and tho two passes between the I Islands. The twilights are brief down I here, and when the dark had spread I its lonely curtain 1 began to be troubled, I and walked the veranda with anxiety and impationco. Then I walked down to the dock, and was comforted with the information that 0UV boat could not possibly got in until the tide; rose and brought them, for there was not a .. ,aii or air to move a sail. Slowlj and sadly I came homo, and our little household had supper and cheered tin lingering hours with prosoand poetry ami conversation. Ever and anon 1 came out and listonod for a song to float ks melody ovor tho waters, for they always come hack singing: but there waj no sound save the ominous uotos of a screech owl and the plaintive song of tho w hip-poor-wi i! in the grave near by- At 0 o'clock we put the little girl to bed, butslu, too, had become OXCited, and couldn't sleep. I sat bj her and stroked her hair and her hands for tin hour, when at last with a sigh, she dropped asleep. Eleven o'clock came and 12 and 12:.'H? o'clock, and I reasoned that the boat w as on a snnd bar anil could not got off till morn:- f. A bout party from Dunedcu was strii ? - od on a bar last week and bad to s: y there all night. and their families a d friends were greatly alarmed and sent out searching parties for them. All Is not gold that glitters even at Clear waters. At half-past 1 o'clock, while nodding in my chair, I nils suddenly awakened by the sound of voices, and my heart bounded with gratitude and joy. The long suspense was over, for I had imagined many distressing tilings. Twee tho little girl had talk ed In her sleep, and sighed and said, u Oh mercv !" My daughter throw hrr.iolf Into u ohalr and oxolalmed, "Oh. I am so tired and thankful ;" and another daughter said : " Now, don't scold Uf one hit, hut listen to our tale of woe' We started hack at It o'clock', but soon found our boat becVmed away out in tho gulf, and wo comd not move half H mllo an hour. Whon night came wc were five miles from homo, and aftor we got into the north pass wo lodged on ft I sand bar and had to wait for tho tide to riso and float us off, and the four gontlemun then got iuto tho little boat and pulled at tho oars with all their might for three hours and towod the big boat after thorn. Oh, it was awful, and. sorao of th*rairls got awfully soa sick and fed the fishes und lost their dinuer, and we had a new pilot and lost i our way and it was just awful ! If I live a thousand years, I will nover go I out so far on the gulf again." ! Well, of course, I did not scold them; I but I will bet $2 they go again next I woek if they are invited. Already j this morning they are boasting of what I a good time they had at the grouper banks, and how they caught thlrly seveu, and one that Miss English i caught was three foot long, and would weigh thirty pounds. There is such a charm about these waters, that they cannot keep away from them. But 1 am goiug home to my better and bigger half tomorrow and work iu my garden, and In hers, too, of course, for " the winter i* over and gone. Tho time for the singing of birds has oomo, and tho voice of tho turtle dove is heard in tho land." BiL< AliP. owin,ks to Tino dispensej The State Hoard of Control &u liiiHinesH?The Law Must % Enforced. \ p Tho State Board of Control sued the following circular to tho Coun ty Dispensers : The Dispensary \n\ under which you have hitherto worked became a nullity on the 31st of March, and you aro now operating under a new law enacted by the recent Legislature, and under that Act you are umenduble solely to the State Board of Control. Tho Board is composed of Ilvo members, who are charged with agenoral mauagemcutof tho Dispensary business, and from whom you will hereafter receive all orders and instructions. You must send to the State Board of Control (and not to the Commissioner or Stato .Treasurer) the following : All orders for liquors, beers and wines; all in voices of empty bottles shipped by you, with bill lading attached ; all el aims for shortage on invoices ami all in voices needing correction Your week ly statement of sales ami OUsh account and duplicate remittance to State Treasurer, your monthly reports on lorms " A " and "B" and your quarterly reports must ulso he scut to the State Board of Control. Von must remit on Monday of each Week to thj Stuto Treasurer. To no ono else must you send any reports, s.ivo the original weekly remittance blank to the Statu Treasurer, When your orders for shipments uro received by the S*,ato Hoard of Control, thoy will bo turned over to the Commissioner, whose duty it will lie to ship them and send you in voice for same. Hut if any corrections are to bo made or shortages on any in voice claimed, you must report tho same to tho State Hoard of Control, and not to the Commissioner. Ship no more empty cases, and also refrain from shipping empty bottles until further orders from the Hoard. You must not speculate on your bot? tie purchases, as tho rule allowing you to purchase is for the benefit of tho parties selling, and not for your profit. This rule will bo strictly enforced. Tho State Hoard of Control uro un alterable In their determination to rigidly enforce tho Dispensary law, and they expect you to live up to every feature contemplated in the Act. Their administration of the law will bo dono fearlessly and without favor, aud wo hope, always tempered with justlco. The trust reposed in you is a most im portant one, anil you are charged with tho sacred task of preserving the morality of that class of your com munity that is addicted to an intem perate use of intoxicants by rigidly en forcing the provisions of a law which clearly contemplates a better ment of the morals of the people by minimizing the use of intoxicants by all, and absolutely placing them, so far as is In your power, beyond tho reach of Inobriatos and minors. You must not allow any loafing or drinking on your premises, and your hearty co-operation in our ctTotts to faithfully carry out the true spirit and intention of tho Dispensary law will receive our approbation. Respectfully, WIME JONES, Chairman. SETH W. SCItUOOS, Clerk. Privilege Tax.?Cloinson Oollcgo will got a splendid revoriue 's year from t.he privilege tax. The State Treasurer has already received from that source this year between forty eight and forty-nine thousand dollars. This shosvs that the fanners of this State will use this year nearly twice as much commercial fertilizer as they did last yoar, when the rocoipts from this source worn only about $20,000. One year during Dr. Hate's incumbonoy of tho State Treasurer's office, tho privilege tax tunountcd to over $.">0, 000. The amount of CleinsOQ College's revenue from this source is therefore very uncertain and variable. At tho last session of the General Assembly an attempt was made to 8poolfy a cer tain sum which Clcmson College should receive from the privilege tax, the balance tobe, covered into tho State Treasury to be used In m ?.?ting the ordinary expenses of the St it.'- govern* mi ut. There was much in rit in the bill, but it was uneer inonious y de feated on tho plea that i"" farm rs paid this tax and and tho farm r.V - ego ought to got all tho I) in li f it. - Columbia Register. We would like to look into the pleas* iint fitee of some out- Who has never hud uny derangement of tho digestive organs. We see tho dra.vn und im nappy faces of dyspeptics in every walk of life, it is our national dlsoatso ami nearly all complaints Spring from this source. ftenjQVO the stomach diMieulU and the work it-done. Dyspeptics and pale, thin people are literally starving, bocau o they don't digest their food. Consumption never develops in peoploof robust and norx^ mal digestion. Correct the wasting and loss of flesh and wo cure tho dis ease. Do this with food. TbeShakors Digestivo Cordial con* tains u tread; digested food and is a di gester of food at the same time, its OffeotS arc foltatoncc. Got a pamph let of your druggist and learn about it. Laxol in Castor Oil mado assweotas honey by it now process. Children like it. ?A farmer writes that -*? years ago ho split white oak posts for his garden fence, putting a peck of a'r-slaekod lime around each, and they are all good y? t. Ho attributes their j.ood' condition to the OtToots of tho lime, in which he is doubtlOBS correct. It has been said that a hoard that has boon used in a mortar bed, and thoroughly saturated with lime, is almost Indo struotiblo from decay. ?Tho Southern States Passenger Association has authorized a raio of ono cont a mile for tho Con fed rounion to bo held in Charleston April 22 to 25. Tickets will derato . S. C, .. u.. ?.vn>vaa mu bo on ealo AprllkM, 22 and 2.1, good to April] ? >?? i-4m. 'i'...in i_ all railroi in