Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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MOSES-MANNING CON TEST. THE EXECUTIVE COM MUTEE HEARS IT. from Dalt j Item, September 22. Tba Goantf Ei-eatiye Committee wa* called ?o order ia tbe Court HOUM at 10.30 o'clock this morning wita Cbairmao Pnrdj is the chair. Messrs R. W. Sband and Mark Reynolds, attorneys for Hr. S. I. Maaoiog, aod Mr. A. B. Stuckey, attorney for Mr. Al* tamoat Moses, wera fnotad tbe privilege of Uw floor. Tba toBowtof reaoluiioa wac introduced j bj Mr. Dobbs :.. I Resolved, Itt. That io the mattera brought i before thia committee to-daj oo actioo will i be taken, not debate allowed except upon wg& resolutions or written aaaadmanta or aubsti tote*. Seconded bj Mr. J. S. Dwight. Carried. Mr. Dabbs also iotrodaeed the following : r?solution, which waatecooded bj Mr. J. E. j DoPre: Resolved, lat; That we oow hear counsel from both aides io tba cooteated cate of Moses ra. Maooiogr. Resolved 2od. That we request said coun? sel to be as brief aa possible aod to submit all their evidence. Tot- resolution wa3 disco seed by Mesara. Marion Meise, Altamont Motes, E. VT. Dabbs, R. W. Shand, ?. B. Stuckey, Mark Rey? nolds. Mr. Motes aad Mr. Stackey took the ground that the reply of the contest?e and the evidence iatrodoced bj him should con? tain no- new matter, bot be confined strictly to toa mattert io issue and oa which the ap? peal wat takan to lae state committee. Tba Kg attorneys for Mr. Manning took the ground that under tbe ruling of the state committee they bad tba right to pot in a reply and to introduce any evidence to thaw that irregu? larities, other than those complained of io Mr. Mosesr protest, bad occurred and that these irregularities counterbalance those com? plained of, as wajl as to iotrodace evidence io rebuttal of tba allegations contained in the protest aad contest of the contestant. Mr. Dabbs spoke ia favor of baring Mr. Moses' complaint r?ed and then ,bearing. Mr. Manning's answer. Chairman Pardj rn Jed that it was in order Yo bectr tbe grounds of protest and contest as entered by Mr. Moses at the meeting of this committee. The complaint of Mr. Moses was read bj .Mr. Stuckey. afr. Shaod asked permission to read tbe -answer of Mr. Manning. Tbe request was discussed ia a g 3 a cr ai wa j bj different members of the commi ttee with * I 1 ont aoy decision being reached. Mr. W. D. Rhodes introduced the following 'p ret?lo lion : Resolved : That contest?e be permitted to read bisaos wer to pr teost of contestant and file the same with bis exhibits. Seco led bj Mr. Dabbs. Mr. Stuckey, speaking on tbs resolution F said, we do not obj set to contest?e reading his answer, and it is proper for him to do so and to deny any allegattoas ia the complaint of toe ena testant, but we do object to the in? troduction of aew matter. If the answer contains new matter and contains anything like a contest of any box, it is a new contest or protest and cannot be entertained under tbe mles of the party, for the tixe for making contesis and protests is limited to fi?e days and properly so, for to permit the i a trod ac? tion of ne? matter aod to entertain new con? tests at any time would o revea t any settle? ment of the matters in issue, as one contest woaid pile op on the heels of another indefi? nitely, aod answers would follow answers io tbe tame way. Mr. Reynolds contended that it was neces? sary for the contest?e to support his answer by exhibit?, and tbat as he bad no counsel to represent bim at tbs former meeting of the committee end ia consequence had not made an exhibit of facts oo which to support his case before the State committee, he should now bare opport. ity to make bis sbowisg and bave it become a part of tba record. Cbairmao Pordy ruled thu if coatestes ?3 permitted te read bis answer it will be prop? erly in and the question will then come up ! as td whether it is responsive to the complaint of the contestant or not. Mr. Stuckey objected to the introductioa of exhibits at this stage, as nooe are properly io and none can be properly made now, as they should bave bees msds within the time speci? fied by the rules of tbs party. Mr. Sband stated that they proposed to show that, granting tbe irregularities claim? j ed by toe contestant, there were other irregc- j larities to moro thao counterbalance all ! claimed and still leave Mr. Manning tbs legal and rightful nominee of the party. This was their right and they claimed nothing more. Mr. Moise thought that the duty of the committee was to consider the contests befors tbe committee and to bear tbe answer in re pl j, withoat the introduction of new and extraneous matter. Mr. Shana's demand would opea ap tbs cass anew and require the contestant to prove a negative. It woui< effec, maka the contentee a contestan some instances and a contest?e of '.be con ant ia other?. Mr Moise introduced the following am meat to Mr Rhodes' resolution : That so mach of tb? answer and exhib? are ia reply to the contest filed by Mr. K Defiled. S encoded bj Mr. Scarborough. The ameodmect was opposed by Mr. ] colds, as it would prevent the introdnc of all their evidence and they had a r under the action of the atate committee recount every box and to bring evidenc sapport of a demand for a reconot. Mr.'Dabbs opposed the amendment, as was sure that the state committee coot plated that the county committee would ints tba whole matter and sift it to tba 1 tom and get at the facts. Mr. Manning thought that time was be consumed ia aaoecessarj di sea 31 ton, that whole purpose io recommitting the contes1 the coanty committee waa to do justice to parties aod to get at the facts. He wanted [ the facta to be 'brought ont and to go on J ord. He therefore moved to table Mr. Moil amendment. Seconded by Mr. Dab bs. Mr. Moise stated that he did not want be misunderstood. He did not want to si oat evidence but be simply objected to introduction of new matter and the ann?e sary prolongation of the case. Mr. Dabbs said be favored a thoron investigation and tbe introduction of all e dence obtainable, so that the commit could go clear to the bottom and settle 1 matter finally. Tbe Moise amendment wes tabled on Aye and No. vote. The Rhodes motion was pat to a vote ai carried. Mr. Reynolds read the answer of Mr. Ma sing aad a mass of affidavits io rebuttal the allegations contained ia the Complaint Mr. Mose3 and in support of charges varions irregularities at different precinct; The only affidavit that caused discnasic was one by Mr. J. S. Dwight to the effet that during the meeting of the committ< wh?n the retaros of the first primary wei tabulated he saw "a man sitting in the Coo Sanas with bis band in one of the balle boxes" from which the managers' return ha been taken, bat which still contained tb ballots. He was asked to give tbe name < the man and to have the name inserted in tb body of the affidavit. He stated that tb man referred to was Mr. W. G. Wells, bo ba disclaimed any intention to charge tba Mr. Wells was tampering with the ballots 0 that fraud was committed. Mr. Wells, who was present, rose to question of personal privilege and stated tba be did open one of the boxe3 at the tim specified and examined some of the ballot? but that be woe a member of the committee and be looked into the box in the presence o the fall committee while the returns wen being tabulated. Bath Messrs. Shaod and Reynolds hastened to disclaim any intention to impute fr?cc 0; tocaste re Section on Mr. We! ?5 hy the in trodtsction of tbe affidavit, which wai brought oat solely for the purpose of illus trating and showing bow easy it would have been to tamper with the ballot boxes when they were exposed in tbe Court House. The Secretary wa3 directed to rednce tba statement of Mr. Wells to writing. A motion was make and carried to proceed to recount the votes in the contested boxes. Scmter box was Srst taken up and ia in progress when this report was closed Mee-rs. E. W. Dabbs, fi. D. Smith, W. D Scarborough and R. P. Stackhonse were appointed as a sub-committee to make the recount. From Daily Item, September 23. The recount of the ballots io the Sumter box was completed by the committee appoint? ed by the chair, and at the conclusion of the count Mr. Dabbs reported for the committee that the vote in the box was Moses 235, Man moe 1!1 ; 15 ballots for State officers were found in the box. three cha?eoged bailots in sealed envelopes aod oae sealed ballot cn wbich all magistrates in the county were voted for which bad been placed in an envel? ope by the precinct managers for action by the county committee. Four other ballots were produced and brought to tbe attention of the committee-two contained the name of neither of the candidates for Senator, one bad both names scratched and one was torn aad marked across the name of the candidate for Senator, supposedly in scratching. The Sfteen state tickets were placed in an envelope and returned to the box; tho ballot containing the names of all candidates for magistrate was counted for Senator ; the bal? lots on which there were tne names of no candidates for Senator, and the one on which the names of both candidates were scratched were not counted. The ballot which was torn and marked was referred to the whole committee, tbe sub committee not being able to arrive at a decision, three favoring throw? ing it out aod one favoring couoting il. This bailot was critically examined by each member of the committee and a rote was taken on the question of counting it. Ten i vo'ed to count aad leveo to 'brow ou j scratched ballot, ooe member, Ur. R asked to be excused from rotin g as be not see well enough to be ga tis 5-d Mr, oing did not Tote. The ballot was a ingiy counted for Ur. Manning. The rote ia detail was : To coast the ballot-Peter Thoma! DaPre, W J Diokios, E B Colclough, McKagen, J S Dwight, J B Raffisld, Dabbs, J T Frierson and Freao Mellett. Not to count -R P Stackhoase, Os teen, W O Scarborough, Marion Mois S Dinkina, S D Smith and J M N Wilde Mr. Moses entered a protest againi counting of the ballot aod asked that sealed ap ia an envelope, properly eod< and the circumstances be made a part c record. Tbe sealed ballet of J. J. Dixon, Ieoged at the primary on August 30th o ground that be was an inmate of the House, was taken ap. It was admitts both sides that be was aa inmate of the House oo August 30th aod bad been considerable leogth of time prior ts ? date. Mr. Manning stated that on At j 30th, the day of the primary, Mr. Dixon come to bim, as a member of tbe co board of commissioners, to ask bis assist ia securing a discharge from the Poor Ht aod that ul the next meeting of the cot board Mr. Dixon will be discharged from Poor House. Mr. Stcckey was heard io reference to law prohibiting paupers to vote. He qo from the State election law, which dec! io explicit terms that oo pauper may vott a State election, and from the rules of party, which declare that only white de eratic voters may vote in a primary elect Mr. Shaod ia reply quoted from the ri of the party stating that tbe vote of no wi mao shall be rejected at a democratic j mary. He argued at length oa this pc aad declared that it was tbe duty of committee to count the vote of Mr. Di: because be is a wbite man aod a democi Mr. Reynoldj also spoke in favor of cou iog Mr. Dixon's Tote. He claimed that democratic party should not disfranchis man because of bis misfortune. Chairman Purdy ruled that a pauper, sane person, or criminal is not a legal TO under the laws of the State. He decided tl the vote of J. J. Dixon could not be coontt Mr. Dabbs moved that the vote of J. Dixon be counted by tbe committee. S< onded by Mr. H. G. McKagen. Col. Scarborough and Maj. Moise favor an adherence to the rule and argued that t ruling of the chairman was strictly in acco with the rules aod the State law ?nd shoo be sustained. Mr. Moise asked the pertioe question if the committee proposed to disr gard tba law io this case woald they al: disregard it in aa analogous case aud accej the vote of a convict, who happened to be wbite man? Mr. Sband spoke in reply ^arguing in fart of counting the vote of J. J. Dixon Mr. Reynolds stated that several other pat pers had Toted at the seme primary, the Totes bad not beeo challenged and wei therefore counted. He read a statement frot Col T. V. Walsh, clerk of the county boar of commissioners, that J. D. McKellar wa and is an inmate of the Poor House. Mi Reynolds asserted that the said McKella roted in the primary and bis vote was no challenged. Mr. Stackhoase asked for information as l the number of paupers who had voted in tb primary. If other paupers bad voted ant their votes bad not been challenged, be coule not vote to throw out the Tote of Dixon The motion tc count Dixon's Tote was car ried. Tbe envelope was opened and found t< be for Manning for Senator, and it wat counted for bim. Mr. Moses made objection to tbe counting of Dixon's vote and requested that the ballot be sealed io an envelope and endorsed to show what it was. The sealed ballot of Henry David was taken up and on motion was ordered couoted. It was cast for Altamont Moses and was counted for him. Tbe final result of tbe recount of the Sum? ter box was announced and declared to be Manning 154, Moses 23b. Mr. Dabbs raised the question of the negro voters who were allowed to vote io the Sum? ter box without the proper eertificatts of their democracy. Mr. Reynolds stated that he would not prrss this matter at that time but reserved the rigbt to recur to it. Taylors box was recounted on the reqaes: of Mr. Moses. The recount gave the fwllowing resalt : Manning 4lt Moses 13-a loss of one to Mr. Manning from the return of tho managers. The recount chowed that the number of votes counted for Senator corresponded with the number of voters on the poll list. Mr Smith, who represented Taylors club, explained the Taylors vote. He said that when the managers counted tbe votes they found one more ballot io the box than the poll list called for and they could not undsr I stand the discrepancy, but accounted for it j on tbe ground that the clerk must have neg ' iected to enter the name of one voter on the poll list. He was satisfied tbat the agers at Taylors were as honest meo a to be found io the county and tbat the tion at that precioct waa as fairly cood as any. Tbe failure of the Taylors box in the bands of the committee within t quired time waa doe wholly to bis OWE lect to send for it, as be bad promise managers to do, and send it to the coma It was bis carelessness and neglect ant the fanlt of tbe managers. Manchester box was recounted on t quest of Mr. Voaes. Toe committe nounced that tbs recount gare Mannio Moses 12- a ga ia of one for Moses and < of oae for Manning from the returns c managers. Mr. Manning made a statement ia exp tion of tbe charges tbat one of the mao at Manchester was drunk on (be day o election. Mr. Moseley, be said who wa of the regularly appointed managers WE capacitated arjd did not serre, but am man was sworn in and served as a mat throughout the day Mr. Moseley ooly to tbe polls to rote and returned borne. Gaillard's X Roads box was recount? the request of Mr. Moses, the recount gi Manning 20, Moses 13. The challenged of a resident of Lee Coaotr was not cos? Proridecce box waa recounted at th? quest of Mr. Moses, the recount giving S j ning i5, Moses ll. I Earle box was recounted at the reques Mr. Moses. The committee reported tbat bad counted for Manning 26 and Meses tbat there were four ballots so illegibly v ten or scratched that they could sot de for whom they should be counted. Mr. OuPre mored tbat the original reti of the managers, to wit, Manning 28, M 62, be accepted. The motion was discussed at some leo and then being put to a rote waa carri Ayes ll, No 6. Mr. Moses requested that the ballots be closed io an envelope, endorsed and sea by tbe chairman and placed with the rec to be sent np to the State executive come tee. Mr. DuPre moved to reconsider the rote accept the original returns of the raauage The motion was carried. . A motion was then made and carried number the ballots 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectivi and rote on them in turn to count or reject The result of tbs vote was, No. i vt counted for Mr. Manning by a vote of ll 7 ; No. 2 was counted for Mr. Moses by rote of 14 to 3 ; No. 3 was rejected by una imous vote ; No. 4 was rejected. The rc on No. 4 was, to count for Moses 5, to > ject 8. The four ballots were placed in a sealed e relope and endorsed to be piaced with tl record. Mr. Stuckey aonoanced that he woo rest the case of Mr. Moses for tbe time bein Mr. Reynolds requested in behalf of M Manning that Farmers box be recounted. The recount gave Manning 28, Moses 44 a gain of on?? for Mr Moses on tbs return < the managers. Mr. Reynolds requested a recount of Sea: boro box. Tbe recount gave Maoning 1 Moses 30. Mr. Reynolds objected to the cou ot on th ground that four of the rotes had been eas io tbe State box and were taken therefrom b the managers, counted and placed in tb couoty box with the other ballots. He rea> affidavit of Mr. W. A. Sparks that he wa one of the managers at Scarboro and assiste* io making the count, that he knew that on or more of the four ballots for county officer found in the State box were for Manning ant one or more were for Moses ; reference wa: made to an affidarit to the same facts bj Col. Scarborough. Mr. Reynolds then sskec that the committee deduct the four irregulai votes wrongfully taken from the Stats boa and counted by the managers, from the tota, vote of the candidate receiving the bighesi number of votes at that precinct, viz ; th? deduction to be made from the vote of Mr. Altamont Moses, who was the candidate re reiving the highest vote for Senator at that precinct. Maj Moise objected strooglg to tba propo? sition because it would be a Sagran; injustice to one of the candidates, an injustice appa* rect to all, for the affidavits introduced show that one or more of the votes were for Mr. Manning and one or more for Mr Moa<-s. The only fair thing to do is to let the count stand as it is, or deduct two votes from the total vote of each of tbe candidates. If there was any way to ascertain exactly bow many votes were cast for each of the candidates it would be fair and just to deduct them from the vote of the candidate for whom they were count? ed. He did sot tbiok the state committee contemplated tbh Action proposed and did not tbiok the committee bad the right to do as Mr. Reynolds demanded Mr. Shand read a decision of Judge O'Neill in relation to the disposition of illegal and surplus votes found in a ballot box. Judge O'Neill held that -.be votes should be deduct ad from the total vote of the candidate re? ceiving the highest voie. He argued that the ruling of Judge O'Neill should be followed ' in this instance. Maj. 5Jo;?- con ended (bat Judge U*N? ruling did oot opp!? to this case, tbe c ><*8 were not >-x-ict y p*r*l el, that ?he c mittee had nothing to do but obey th9 01 of tbe Stats committee and to do exact tice to all parries. Tbe proposition to duct all four Totes from one candidate emiueotly unfair aod unjust and should be done. Mr Sparks was given tbe privilege of floor to make ao explana non of bis affida He stated that be could swear that one perhaps more of tbe Totes were for Mam and one and perhaps more of them ? for Moses, but that he could not say and never said that be was positive that et of the candidates for Senator bad a majo of the votes taken from the State box. Mr. Sbaod admitted that in view of affidavits produced be thought that one 1 should be deducted from the vote of Manning and the other three from the i of Mr. Moses. . Maj. Moise objected to this on the si grounds that he bad slated before-tba wouid not be carrying out the instruction the State committee and would be an in, tice. Mr. Stuckey objected to any consid?r?t of tbe four votes as it was entirely new a ter, a new challenge of the Scarboro box i of the returns of tbe managers, of which contestant bad had no notice. With pro notice and time tbe contestant might be a to show that a majority of the votes w cast and counted for the conteste?, bea i the contest and protest against these 70 should have been made within the five di allowed by the rules. The matter waa further discussed at gn length by Messrs. Dab03, Stackey, Mos Manning, Sband, Moise. The entire questi relative to the disposition that was made the county tickets found in the State bo; at seven different preuncts was gone ia and discussed. Mr. Da bbs offered the following resoloti 1 at the suggestion of Mr. Manning: Resolved, That one ballot from Scarbo box be deducted from Mr Manning, one fro Mr. Moses and that tba remaining ballots ! mixed an i then two ballots be drawn fro it and these votes be deducted from tbe ca d?dates for whom They were cast. The resolution was discussed at length t various members of tbe committee, duric which there was a snappy colloquy betwee Mr Dibbs, Col. Scaroorough and Mr. Spar! in reference tc remarks to the tffict that tl vote iu Scarboro box had been "tampered with. Both sides d sclairxi?d intention to n fleet on the managers of Scarboro or 00 an of the committee. Aa Aye and No vote 0 the resolution resulted, Aye ll, No 5. One Manning ballot and one Moses balk were taken from the box and then the ballot were thoroughly stirred. Two ballots wer drawn at random from the box. Both wer Manning ballots. The secretary was directe to make tbs deductions from the vote of th two candidates, one from M oseo, three froc Manning in accordance with the terms of tb resolution. The four ba.lots were placed ii envelopes and sealed. On the request of Mr. Reynolds toe Labor ers aod Mechanics box was recounted, result ing Manning 14, Moses 40, which c orres ponded to the managers' returns. Mr Reynolds demanded tnat the votes 0 tbe negroes who were permitted to vote it the Sumter bes be stricken out on th( grounds set forth in the affidavit of Sol Prin? gle. He demanded a?30 that the votes sc stricken out be deducted from the total vot? of the caodidate who received the highest vote, viz : from the vote of Altamont Moses. Mr. DaPre moved to strike out the votes ol the negroes who voted in Sumter box. and the motton was seconded Mr. Reynolds furnished the aame3 of the negroes as follows : Barton Levan, Jas. Levan, Sol Pringle, Julios T Edwards, Frank Seals, J A Sanders, Joseph Levan and Joseph Beneobaiey. Mr. Stuckey objected to the proceedings as it was the introduction of oew matter. Mr. DuPre spoke in favor of sticking to the rules and being governed by then in de? ciding these matters. Ke contended that tbe negroes should not have been permitted to vote without tbe proper certificates. Col. Scarborough asserted cf his own knowledge that Joseph Benenualey waa tot a negro and that neither he nor any cf bis family for severa! generations bad been re? garded as negroes, that he was a Turk and that any number of men could be found to make affidavit that they are not negroes. As to Joe Levin he ?aid it was a 3hame to challenge his democracy for be bad proven it time and agaiu from *7S to this day, and that b's services in times cf danger were too w?'ll known to be questioned cr doubted by anyone. Maj. Moise said be was in doubt on this matter, for the rules of t!*e party were clear and explicit and required certain certi? ficates, which were wanting, but he knew that some of these negroes were as good dem? ocrats as himself or anv other white man : that Joe Levan was. aci tb sit his sons had been, raised up as deaiocrais. However, if tkis committee decides io throw out the negro ?otea in the Sumter box it most be consist? ent aod go abend and throw oat tho negro rotes iu every box tn trie county. Mr. Reynolds asked that the ?ame of Joseph Beoenbaley be stricken from the list 1 of negro rorer?. He introduced tbe affidavit of W. J R-eae concerning tb? negro voter? at Stateborg. Col. Scarborough introduced the following resolution and requested Mr. Du Pr,?, who bad just spoken in favor of sticking to tbe rules, to second it : Resolved, That io the further proceeding? of this committee thc roles and regulations ! of the democratic party be strictly adhered to. Not seconded. Mr. DuPre refused to second the resolution in the midst of a general Iangb ?nd it failed for the want of the second. Mr. Dabba offered the following ?solution : lt appearing to the <* -^mittee that Joseph Leran, James Leran, Barton Leran, Solo? mon Pringle, Julius Edwards, Frank Seals, J A Sanders, who are negroes and roted at tbe Democratic primary on August 30tb, at the Sumter precinct without the evidence of their democracy as required by tbe rales of the Democratic party. Resolved, That th ?se votes be deducted from the candidate who received the highest nnmber of rotes for State Senator at said box. seconded by E. B. Colclough. A general discussion followed on the reso? lution and the whole question was canvassed on the lines of the prerioos discussioo of tho proposition to throw out the negro rote and deduct it from the rote of the candidate har? ing the highest rote. Mr. Dabbs finally asked permission to withdraw bis r?solution, and bis second consenting, it was withdrawn. Mr. Dabbs then offered the following resolation : Whereas, This committee bag sndearored to bear all the objections raised by each can? didate as to the regularity of the election on ; August 30 ; and Whereas, we bare recounted the votes io i * all boxes rpqaesred by either candidate : Resolred, 1st, That it is the sense of this committee that we cannot undertake to cor? rect the irregularities shown by these con? testants and that therefore we reaffirm oar action of the 2d of September, and declare Mr. Manning the nominee for Senator; be? cause we ure satisfied thu returns of the managers more nearly represent the will of the people and these rotes were counted for other candidates and if these rotes bad beeo thrown ou! it would hare changed the result as to not a few of tbe candidates for other o?5ce3. Seconded by E. B. Colclough. Mr Shand spoke in support of the resola? tion and read from the report of a contested election case in Charleston io 1822 whet an appeal was taken to the Lsgislature and a re? count bad. The recount chaoged the resuit, but the Legislature finally decided to sustain the original return of the managers and seat tbe contest?e. In tbe discussion that followed by Messrs. Dabbs, Reynolds, Sbend, Stuckey and Moise much was said about the safety with which the boxes bad beeo Kept since the first meeting of the committee and the possi? bility of the boxes having been changed, Those who spoke of this "possibility'} disclaimed any intention to charge that the boxes had been tampered with for the purpose of committing fraud, but the insinu? ation was there ail the same. Mr. Stuckey iot.oduced the affidavit of Sheperd Nash, Clerk of Court, in whose custody the boxe3 were placed by Cbairmao Purdy after tba first mee'ing of the committee, as to the means he bad adopted to keep the said ballot boxes in safety and to prevent the possibility of their being tampered with. Mr. Dabbs asked Secretary J. M. Knight if he was prepared to swear that the boxes reached bi? io the same condition in which they left the hands of the managers. Mr. Mr. Knight replied that he could not. Mr. E. D. Smitih made a speech on the situation io which the committee found itself, and said aaong other things that be was thoroughly ashamed of the day's proceedings. He said the committee had got at last to the place where il had either to do the fair, square tbicg or not to do it, and be plead with them to do what was right no matter whom it burt M*j. Moise raised the issue that the Dabbs resolution was out of order and in violation of toe resolutions of the State executive com? mittee, which directed in clear terms what this committee must do. The Dabbs resolu? tion provides for action in direct conflict with the orders of the State committee. Chairman Purdy ruled that this committee is a law onto itself and if it sees fit to tase action io this line it cm do so. An appeal cac be taken to the State committee, which has the power to review the action of the county committee and reverse it if it 9eea fit. Maj boise's point of ord^r was noted io the minutes by request. An Aye and No . ote was demanded on the Dabbs resolution. The vote resulted : Aye, ll; No, 4. Ur. Stuckey asked that an exception be noted in behalf of Mr. Mo?es to the adoption of the resolution. Aa affidavit of Secretary J. M. Knight, rel? ative to the keeping of the boxes when they came into hi3 possession before the meeting of the committee, was introduced. A committee was appointed to find the High Hills box, which Mr. Reynolds asserted could not be produced when cahed for. It was found in a few minutes with the other boies only a few feet from the desk of tte chairman of the committee. Tbe minutes of the meeting were read by Secretary Kuight and corrections and amend? ments noted as made by members of the com? mittee. The minutes were then approved. The cco:m;.ttee then adjourned.