The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-09-25
speeches. the skeleton of which 1 will send you to-

wholesome influence in the State and though the
abolition Of slavery rendered them no longer ne
cessary, still must all feel if we were parting
with an old friend, who leaves us forever.
COLUMBIA, September 81.
The order of the day was taken up, and the 4th
section Of the first article of the Constitution was
considered This section reads thus "The boun-
daries Of the several judicial and election districts
shan remain as they are :ow Established" Mr..
i1LLMAN, who is one of the representatives from
the large District of Edgefed, moved to amend so
as to empower the Legislature, by mere majori-
ty vote, to divide district. After some little de-
bate, in which Judge FROST, Mr.. TnLMAN, Gov.
PIcKENs and Mr.. Ron took part, this amendment
giving to the Legislature the power of changing
its own organization by mere majority vote of
its own body, was rejected. After the rejection of
this amendment, the section was passed.
The fifth section was then taken up, Which
reads: '"The House Of Representatives shall con-
sist of 124 members, to be apportoned among the
several election districts of this State according
to the number of white inhabitants returned, and
the amount of all taxes raised by the General
Assembly, whether direct or Indirect, of whatever
species, paid in cash." &c
Mr.. SIMoNToS moved to amend the last part of
the section, as to enable East and West Charles
ton for the present to jointly elect their represen-
tauves. This amendment was agreed to- Mr..
JONES then moved to amend to make the
House of Representatives consist of but 100 men,
bers, and to make population the basis of repre-
ate. This amendment was lost. Mr.. ORn moved
to strike out, so as to base the representation in
the House OF Representatives on population alone
This amendment was also lost. Mr. DozIER then
moved to strike out the word "whtc" and on the
discussion OF this amendment the entire day was
spent. The negro was on the carpet, and, as
of trouble. Mr.. BoYCE led of the opposition on
the ground-nominally at least-that it opened the
door to negro sufiragc but in fact, it appeared
from his speech, because he feared that the low
country would have too many representatives.
On these words the changes were wrung in every
possible shape. If the negro were represented
would he not claim q vote, and would not the
Northern radical make the same demand? This is
an attempt said Mr.. TILLMAE, to bring back to
e ne dead body Of the In vain the
ment OF the white race, the negro has civil though
not POLITICAL rights that those civil rights ought
to be protected; that they did not and could not
be expected to carry with them the elective fran
chisc; that white women and white children formed
a part Of the basis of representation They either
and at about three o'clock the vote was taken and
the amendment rejected by vote of 81 against
So. The Convention then took recess until seven
O'clock
This question consider the one of the eravest
Importance that the Convention will be called upon
to consider In it is embraced the system of labor
which must prevail in all parts of this State for
years to come, and much of our happiness or mis-
cry, our prosperity or adversely, is dependent on
that the negro would remain scattered over the
entire State, ii it probable that all parts of
the State would continue to be inhabited by race
of mon familiar with the character and capacity of
the negro, it would be matter of small impor-
tance whether representation was based on entire
population or on white population alone. But we
are all satisfied that ii South Carolina is ever to
advance it she is ever to shake from her feet the
dust of the past, the indolent past, and take her
position among the progressive people of the
world, she must be alcd in her work by foreign
emigration. This emigration, if it comes ut all,
and come it probably WILL will first seek the heal
thier parts OF the State and the negro, unable to
ria fhn nxy1,it hn
pressed down towards the coast, and will seek
home and bread on our rice and cotton fields. His
labor there WILL in all probability, be required for
years to Gomez and, to make that labor effective,
the negro must form part of the basis of repre-
sentation. Ii he does motif he is not protected
by the white man, who knows and needs him, from
him who is inimical to him, and who, being a
stranger to him, knowing nothing of his wants
and habits, will be able to and viii override the
opinions OF those among whom he lives-the poor
negro will not only be destroyed before his time
but also the prosperity of the State will be de-
stroyed with him. The white man of the planting
portion of our State must have power enough to
cope with the white laborer, or not only will the
negro be destroyed, but the State will lose large
part OF her wealth, III losing large part Of her
laboring population.
These being the views of your correspondent,
he was rejoiced when reconsideration of the
probability is that unless a change takes place be-
fore tomorrow, the negro will form, under the
Constitution, part of the basis of popul alton.
The Rev. j. P. BoYcE showed me, to-day, tele-
gram from the President to him. announcing his
pardon, and adding, that the proceedings Of the
Convention so far gave him great satisfaction:
that he hoped all will be right, and that in less
than twelve months the union of the States will be
completely restored"
The Convention proceeds but slowly with it's work
The members that / have spoken to do not think
that it can adjourn before the latter part of next
week. 1 very much doubt if its business will even
be finished then.
.l COLUMBIA, SeptonIbor %.
The day has been entirely spent by the Convon
tion in discussing and passing the first and a part
of the second article of the Constitution. The
members applied themselves steadily to the work
from 10 A. NJ. till p. NJ, and from p NJ until
half-past 1G, and the consequence was that great
deal Of work was done, and tonight the leading
members of the Convention are speaking Of the
probability of on adjournment by Tuesday night.
Some of the members propose, when the business
is finished, to adjourn sine die but Others among
whom are some Of the wisest and most conserve
tive members, suggest that it may be necessary
Ior them to empower the President to call them
together again after the meeting of Congress, |
when they will have been able to see the effect of
their present action. do not clearly see how |
the Convention can finishits business at the time
indicated, because there is work still ahead. The |
Bill OF Rights has to be acted on after Execu-
i've and Judiciary have received the attention of
the body. series of resolutions on political ques-
lions OF vital importance favorably reported on |
by the Committed, may provoke discussion. The !
reports Of the Committee on Amendments general |
", may consume time. The members, however