Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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; '■■i- mi 1 : m Story of a Political Plot. To the Editor of the News and Courier: On the 28th of Novem her, 1890, Mr. Meetze introduced in the Senate a joint resolution to provide for the calling of a Constitutional Convention. (Senate Journal, page 44.) On the 4th of December, 1890, Mr. Meetze, from the committee on judiciary, reported this resolu tion favorably. (Journal, page 72.) On the fifth day of Decern ber the bill passed its second reading, and was ordered for a third reading. On the second reading the yeas were 23 and the nays were 8. (Page 112.) On December 23d, 1890, the joint resolution was continued until the next session. (Page 435.) On the 1st of December, 1S91, the joint resolution to provide for the calling of a Constitution al Convention was taken up for a third reading. Mr. Smythe moved to amend by adding the following joint resolution: Provided, however, that no Consti tution formed, or which may be form ed, by such Convention shall be bind ing or go into effect until it shall have been sumitted to the people of the State for ratification, and shall have been ratified by the votes of a major ity of the voter of the State voting upon such question.” This amei dment was rejected —11 to 25. Mr. Sloan moved the follow ing amendment: ‘•Porvided, that in the call of such Convention it will be with the dis tinct understanding and upon the explicit condition that any Constitu tion to be framed by said Convention shall contain a provision for an annu al school tax for the benflt of the free schools of this State of not less than the amount now prescribed by Sec tion !> of Article 10 of the present Con stitution, undthatthevoteofthisState, as prescribed in this joint resolution, shall be considered and held as calling such constitutional convention with this limitation upon its powers." This amendment was reject ed—yeas 31, nays 5—and the joint resolution passed by a vote of 26 to 10. (Journal ,pages 101 -102.) The theory upon which these amendments were proposed in the Legislature to the joint res olutions calling a Constitutional Convention was not that the Legislature had the right to limit the powers of the Conven tion. The opponents of the Con vention scheme recognized that the Convention was superior to the Legislature, and what it did was binding and authoritative. But they conceived the law to be that the people themselves may limit the powers of their representatives in Convention assembled. If the people select representatives to go to a Con vention and at the time of the election the people themselves limit the authority which these delegates are to exercise, then, in our opinion, the delegates artf so limited because they are but the representatives of the people clothed with such powers as the people choose to give them. It then a call be submitted to the suffrages of the people, which call provides that the del egates, when in convention as sembled, shall not interfere with the homestead or school fund, and that the Constitution prepared by them shall first be submitted to the people, and the people choose to adopt such a call, then the limitation is ef fective, not because the Legisla ture has said anything, but be cause the people themselves, in selecting their delegates, have seen fit to limit their authority by these provisions, The Legislature is charged with the duty of formulating the call and submits it to the people. It is the option of the people whether they make the call or not and on what terms it is made. As a matter of fact, however, the movers of the amendments did not expect them to pass, but offered them with the view of expressing and putting upon re cord the hidden purposes for which the Convention was call ed, and which the promoters of the scheme were trying to con ceal and which they even now have the hardihood to deny de spite the confession contained in their refusal to disavow these purposes by adopting the amend ments proposed. In the House the joint resolu tion was read the first time on December 2, 1891, and referred to the committee on judiciary. (House Journal, page 138.) The resolution came up for a second reading December 11, 1891. Mr. Abney proposed the fol lowing amendment: “Provided, however, that no Con- ■titution (rained, or, which may lie framed by such Convention, ahall be binding or go into effect until it ahall have been ratified by the votea of a majority of the qualified voter* of the State voting Upon such question." with such Constitutional Convention this limitation upon its powers. “Provided ' rthcr. that in the call of such Conv. itiou it shall tie with the distinct uviso that any Consti tution to be Iranied by the said con vention shnll e mtuin a provision se curing the tax f two mills for the common sclux .* as now provided by law and by the . resent constitution. Which was lost by a vote of 71 to 32 (House Journal, pages 319-320.) The matter was adjourned un til December 16, 1891, when the joint resolution received a se cond reading by a vote of 50 to 78. (Journal, page 419.) On the 22d of December the joint resolution came up for a final vote in the House, when the votes stood—yeas 51, nays 35. The joint resolution not having received a two-thirds vote, it was lost. The reason of this was that the debate in the Senate on the proposed amendments, especial ly that requiring the Constitu tion to be submitted to the peo ple, had excited considerable discussion. The matter was not rushed through the House, as is seen by the dates given, and al lowed sober second thought to assert itself, with the result that the House refused to pass the joint resolution without the amendments. In 1892 the tactics were rever sed, and the joint resolution was rushed, first through the House, and then through the Senate, The proceedings were as fol lows: On the 23d of November, 1892, Mr. Wolfe introduced a joint re solution to provide for the call ing of a Constitutional Conven tion, which was referred to the committee on judiciary. (House Journal, page 49.) On November 29 the judiciary committee reported favorably on the joint resolution. (Journal page 116.) On December 2 the joint reso lution came up for a second reading. Mr Bacot proposed the following amendment: “Provided, however, that no con stitution framed, or which may be framed, by such convention shall be binding or go into effect until it shall have been submitted to the people of the State for ratification, and shall have tieen ratified by the votes of a majority of the qualified voters of the State voting upon such question." Which was rejected by a vote of 89 to 20. Mr. Haskell proposed the fol lowing amendment; “Provided, that said convention shall not change or diminish either the provision of the present constitution which provides for a two mill school tax or that which provide., a home stead exemption.” Which was rejected by a vote of 87 to 23. (Journal, pages 166- 167.) On December 7 the joint reso lution was read the third time and sent to the Senate. (Jour nal, page 214.) In the Senate the joint resolu tion received its first reading December 7, 1892, and was re ferred to the judiciary commit tee. (Journal, page 147.) The next day, December 8, the judiciary committee report ed favorably. (Senate Journal, page 160.) The next day, December 9, the joint resolution came up for its second reading. Mr. Smythe moved the following amend ment: “Provided, however, That no Con stitution framed, or which may bo framed, by such Convention shall be binning, or go into effect, until it shall have been submitted to the peo ple of the State for ratification and shall have been ratified by the votes of a majority of the qualified voters of the State voting upon such ques tion." Which was rejected by a vote of 10 to 23. Mr. Hazard moved the fol lowing amendment: “Provided, that in the call of such Convention it shall be with the die- tins! understanding and upon the ex plicit condition that any Constitution to be framed by the said Convention shall contain a provision for an an nual tax for the benefit of the free public schools of this State of not less than the amount now prescribed by Section 5 of Article 10 of the present Constitution; and also a provision for a homestead exemption of not less than the amount now prescribed by Section 82 of Article 8 of the present Constitution; and that the vote of the ]>eop!e of this State as prescribed in this joint resolution shall be con sidered and held as calling such Con stitutional Convention with this limi tation upon its powers, Which was rejected by a vote of 25 to 7. Mr. Buist offered the follow ing amendment: “Provided, however, that before such question shall be submitted to the people there shall bs a new regis tration of the qualified voters of the State.” Which was lost by a vote of 27 to 5. The joint resolution then Which was lost by a vote of 56 to 48. Mr. Haskell moved the fol lowing amendment: “Provided, that in the call of such Convention it sliall be with the dis tinct understanding and upon tlx* ex plicit condition that any Constitution to be framed by the said Convention SHBPI shall contain a provision securing a missioner* of election in each county homestead to the people of this State ! lie required to appoint in each polling not less than the amount now pres- ■ precinct at least one manager named cribed by Section 32, of Article 2, of by those opposed to the calling of said the present Constitution, and that the Convention; And provided further, vote of the people of this State as 1 that any commissioner of election or prescribed In this joint resolution manager violating ttie election laws be considered and held as calling jo( the State shall, upon conviction passed its second reading. (See Senate Journal, pages 191-192.) On Decei iber 13 the joint res olution came up for its third reading. Mr. Buist proposed the follow ing amendment: ■ “Provided, no vote to be taken upon the call of said convention un less at least one of the commissioners of the election in each eounty be ap pointed from those opposed to a call for a convention, and that the com- thereof, in the Courts of the State, be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars and imprisonment in the penitentiary for a peiod of not lees than six months nor more than one year. Which was rejected and the joint resolution was passed by a vote of 27 to 9. (Senate Jour nal, pages 245 246 ) It will be interesting to note that Senator Stanyarne Wilson, of York, voted against the final passage of the joint resolution. The joint resolution was then ratified and approved. It will be seen that the diffi culty with the Legislature of 1891 was with the House. As soon as they realized fully that the Constitution was to be a- dopted without submitting it to the peop le, and without protect- tion to the rights of homestead and to the school fund, they re fused to pass the joint resolution These amendments had, as the records show, been offered and debated in the Senate, so that the Legislature was fully api [ •rised of them before the reso- ution came before the House. Thus it was delayed a good while while these questions were being discussed. The next year they rushed it through the House without real ly letting the members have time to consider these amend ments. They were offered, vot ed down immediately and the bill passed to its third reading the next day- In the Senate they were offer ed again, but the party discip line was stronger in the Senate, and f’ey did not receive there as much consideration as they would have done and as had been given to them the year be fore in the House of Represent atives. Anti Convention. Reform Papers Jump on Irby. [ Lancaster Review. ] Every Democrat; whether Anti or Reformer, should feel ashamed of the address of the Irby committee, which is pub lished elsewhere in today’s pa per. It is an ill timed, slander- ouss document, and if it proves anything at all it is that the members of the committee who signed it have but littlo appro ciation for the responsibility of the position in which they have been placed by the Democratic party of the State. The State Democratic Execu tive Committee is supposed to represent the interest of the party as a whole, and its aim should be to heal all breaches in the party’s ranks in order that a solid Democratic vote may be polled against a common ene my at the general election, but in the case of the present com mittoe we see it striving to wid en instead of closing up the gaps; and it is doing it, too, by '.he most disgusting and con temptible methods, namely, by cowardly abuse and slanderous words. The committee not only makes unwarranted accusations against the minority faction in this State, but it wantonly charges those newspapers op posed to the calling of a Consti tutional Convention with being either blind leaders of the blind or the servile tools of the conspirators.” The Review is one of the papers that pas “dared” to antagonize the prop osition lo call such a Convention and we unhesitatingly charac terize Mr. Irby’s charge as in famously false so far as we are concerned. We are not the “servile tool” of any man or set of men, “conspiritors” or other wise. We are fighting the Con stitutional Convention on what we regard as just and sufficient grounds, and we do not intend to be deterred from tne prosecu tion along the that line by the big talk of Mr. Irby or Mr. any body else. Our mode of war fare will be fair and honorable, however. We will not conde scend to employ the methods to fight the Convention that Irby’s committee has resorted to to force the people to vote for it. The truth about this whole matter is, Irby saw that the people, regardless of factional differences, were considering the question of calling a Consti tutional Convention purely on its merits and that they were fast coming to the conclusion that they did not want a Con vention at this time, whereupon he issued the address referred to with a view of diverting the E ublic mind from the true issue y reviving and intensifying factional prejudices. He ho] by keeping the people divk and at war with each others to make Reformers, who are in the majority, support the Conven tion as a Reform measure with out reference to its merits or de merits. In other words Reform ers, according to Irby, must vote in this matter blindly: we shall see whether they do or not. ville Enquirer, Lexington Xhs- patch, Lancaster Review, and Abbeville Press and Banner.— The State. Bpeaking for ourselves we have only to say that as far as the Dispatch is concerned, there is not a semblance of truth in the statement accredited to Mr. Irby. On all issues the Dis patch has the courage of its con victions uninfluenced by fear or favor. It neither is nor does it aspire to be a blind leader of leader of the blind. It is con tent to leave this distinction to the junior Senator with the as surance that ho need have no fear, as no other man in the State could possibly be found upon whose brow this honor would more easily lie. His self appointment was, as it were, according to the eternal fitness of things. Nor is the Dispatch j a “servile tool of conspirators,” as is abundantly evidenced in an article in reference to the Constitutional Convention in another column, If the fealty of the Dispntch to the principals 1 the Roform movement is to be measured by Senator Irby’s yard stick we guarantee in ad vance that it will not hold out as his measure is wont to con tract and expand to meet the emergencies which may arise, and is, therefore, simply unreli- ale. The Dispatch is just as earnest in its advocacy of Re form measures as it ever was, Mr. Irby to the contrary not- ithstanding. A BIG STORY. ’V [Yorkvi'le Enquirer J “Those newspapers which claim to be Democratic, which antagonize this great reform, are either blind leaders of the blind, or the servile tools of con spirators.”—Irby’s address. And what reform, pray? You have never dared toll us what you want to do; and really we are unable to see where there is any reform involved. But when you talk of conspiracy, we can better understand what you mean. You have long since proved yourself an adept in that kind of business. You are even now conspiring to disfranchise all the voters you cannot con trol, and your charges of servil ity and blindness are sugges tive of the scoundrel who cries “stop thief” and joins in the chase. Irby and The Tickets. [Columbia Register] The following special appear ed in the News and Courier of yesterday: “Yorkville, Oct. 18.—Chair man Brico, of the York County Democratic executive commit tee, has received from the State executive committee the tickets to be voted in the coming elec tion. On looking over the tick ets to-day he discovered that while theie are an abundance of tickets for the constitutional convention. ‘Yes’, there is not a single one for Constitutional Convention, ‘No.’ We prsume that this is the case throughout the State. It seems that Partis an Irby’s dishonesty has reach ed the point at which he denies the right of even Tlllmanites to vote as they please.” The young correspondent thinks he has discovered a mare’s nest, and talk) through his hat., The facts are simply these: The Democratic party of the State is pledged to a constitu tional convention and it is not the business of the State Demo cratic executive committee to have tickets against the conven tion printed. The Republicans and Independents who do not want a convention can have tickets printed if they want them. It is their business to look after that. [Lexington Despatch.] “Those newspapers which claim to be Democratic” says Irby, “and which antogonize this great reform (a Constitution al Convention) are either blind leaders of the blind or ihe ser vile tools of the conspirators.” To wnich we invite the attention of the Piedmont ifeaWijAf, York- TRANSMITTINQ POWER. Comparative Cost of the Various Method* Now In Use. A comparison of the cost of trans- mitting power by various methods, as given in a French mining journal, presents the following data: 1. Com parative cost on ten-horse power transmitted in 1,093 yards—by ca bles, 1.77 per effective horse power per hour; by electricity, 2.21; by hydraulics, 2.90; by compressed air, 2.98. 2. Comparative cost on fifty horsepower transmitted, 1,093 yards—by cables, 1.S5 per effective horse power per hour; by hydraulics, 1.87; by electricity, 2.07; by com pressed air, 2.29. 3. Comparative coat on ten effective horse power transmitted 5,465 yards—by elec tricity, 2.64 per effective horse pow er per hour; by compressed air, 4.66; by cable, 4.69; by hydraulics, 5.29. 4. Comparative coston fifty effective horse power transmitted 5,465 yards —by electricity, 2.34 per effective horse power per hour; by cables, 2.65; by compressed air, 2.99; by hy draulics 3.02. Steam waa the prime mover in each of the above cases and it applies In the above instances, and It appears, that for long distances, electricity takes the lead in economy over all other systems. It has also, remarks the journal cited, a great advantage in the facility with which the power may be subdivided, and j there appears to be no doubt that, in future coal mining, electricity will be much used for coal cutting, funnelling, pumping, hauling, etq. A party of men went out recently to shoot woodchucks, says the Roch ester Democrat and Chronicle. When the hunters returned in the evening each carried a number of woodchuck tails, trophies of the day. One of these Is worthy of a wider circulation. “I had walked along the left bank of a ravine for half an hour,” said one participant, “without coming across any spoor and was beginning to think that it was not a good day for woodchucks, when on turning up a bend I saw not more than fifty yards away a woodchuck whirling around in a most extraordinary manner. He would turn a complete somersault, then tear up the earth with his feet, and then pause aud rub his jaw, first one side and then the other, on the ground. I was so astonished at the actions of the beast that I did not think of shortt- ing. Suddenly the woodchuck paused and sat up on his haunches in the manner peculiar to these ani mals. His side was to me and of fered a tempting shot. I aimed at bis head and fired. He went down with the report of the rifle, but he tumbled around so furiously that I concluded he had not received a mortal wound. I slipped in another cartridge, wondering why the ani mal bad not made a dash for Its bur row. “After adjusting the cartridge I looked for the game again, and was surprised to observe that he was again sitting up, but facing the other way, so that side of his head that was from me when I shot was now toward me. I took a careful aim for the side of the head again and fired. Down he went once more and repeated his tumbling and kick ing. I made a remark and chucked in another shell, intending to bore him through the body this time. “When I got ready to shoot again the woodchuck was moving leisurely toward the edge of the ravine. I tried a snap shot and he rolled over, his sides heaved once and he was dead. “When I came to examine the body of the animal, what do you sup pose I discovered? Why, gentle men, that woodchuck’s upper jaws were in a terribly swollen coodition. His long incisor teeth had undoubt edly become ulcerated, and his tum bling and writhing before I shot at him was undoubtedly caused by pain. “Now, when I fired the first time, the ball removed one of these ulcer ated teeth, and what did the beast do but turn the other side of his jaw to me, and by chance I shot out the other bad tooth. When he found that both painful teeth were gone, he started for his den and was killed by my third shot. “Gentlemen," said Mr. Loder, “in all your experience in the woods, did you ever hear of so curious a case?” Mr. Lewis and Mr. McChesney be came thoughtful, and they remained in a deepi study until the three reached Rochester. Mr. Loder in tends writing a paper for some learned body upon the case of the woodchuck with the ulcerated teeth. Charms Worn by Parisian Woman. Parisian women are now adorning themselves with sundry charms, which they fasten to their watch chains or wear aa bangles. They are of gold, silver, platina, enameled with some device, such as a swan, with the words: “Signe (cygne) d'amour. ” Others have a heart on which the word “vous” is written again and again with the sentence: “Mon coeur esi pleln de vous." An other has a gayly-colored cock and the inscription: “Quance ce coq chautera mon amitie finira.” Pan sies aud forget-me-nots are innumer- able LADIES Ktsdlng atonic, or children who want build ing np. should take - BHOWl’g IH02I BITTERS. It is pleasant; curas Malaria, Indigestion, Btltnuaneea, Liver Complaints and Meunlgls. BROWN'S IRON BITTERS cures Dyspepsia, In digestion ft Debility. Many Persons arc l tchi._ down from overwork or bourehold ear-v. Brown’a Iron Bitters Rchm. j the ayatem, aids digest ion, remove, c .cue of bile, nod cures malaria. Oet the geaume. IT IS A FACT That the furniture store ‘of BAIRD & SHOOT « a credit to Darlington. THEIR FURNIlURE Is up to date, artistic and well made, stock complete and the largest tin ■■■■ Eastern Seuth Carolina. Wt can furnish yoUr home from the kitch- to the parlor, including window shades, CARPETS, MATTING, &C. OTTR IFIRICIES ARE LOW. We bought this summer our goods in the West where they had been made on half wages, and we can sell you FURNITURE now at prices that we will GUARANTEE to he the lowest on the manket. Call on or write ns. BMIID t SMOOT. tips 3 1 , m * fl » hug. I H surrxft any'ujnge ■ Ac*. Sat. sad Count.. •• CAN b« CURED. W. win SEND FREE by ■ail a Urge TRIAL BOTTLEt Pill UD ME The Darlington News 1 cojsrsiSTiJsra- ow eig-ht :f.a.gkes, will begotten out next week (on Nov. 1), and of it will be distributed throughout Dar lington County. This is the chance to ADVERTISE. It will be the best opportunity of reach ing ALL the people that the business men of Darlington have ever had. Remember: when the times arc hard, the greater is the necessity for liberal advertis ing, unless you want to see the bulk of your stock left on your hands by Christmas. What is Latest New York Styles. My friends and customers are invit ed to call and see my new stock before purchasing their NEW HATS. Styles the Latest! Ptices the Lowest! ilLSM S«pt. 27—8«w. Castoria is Dr. Samuel Pitcher's prescription for and Children. It contains neither Opium, ?* m, «hine nor other Narcotic substance. It is a harmless substitute for Paregoric, Drops, Soothing Syrups, and Castor OIL, It is Pleasant. Its guarantee if thirty years' use by Mi 11 Ions of Mothers. Castoria is the Children's Panacea —the Mother's Friend. Castoria. “Castortabso w*n adapted toeUMrai that I recommend it aa mpertor toaay prescription known to me." H. A. Aacsaa. M. D M 111 So. Oxford St., Brooklyn, N. T. "ThomeoI 'Castoria’ is to universal and Ita merit* ao well known that It seema a work or Kpr.-srogatioB to endorse It. Few are the Intelligent families who do not keep Osstoria within easy reach." - Cutuw Hanna, D. D, New York City. Castoria. Castoria cures OoHe, Constipation, flour Stomach, Diarrimo, Eructation, Kill* Worms, gives risen and pros* Without injurioaa medtoatioa. “For your 'Castoria,' do so as it has ran 11 and shall always ooMtana to beneiclal l*th Stre.* and ?th Ave”ilew York OSy. X«a Otirrsim CosOM'iT, 77 Mnaasv I , Naw Tout Stef !*