The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-14
COLUMBIA.
Thursday Morning, Sept. IL, 1865.
Meeting of the Convention.

aSSeulo1SO LII 1u11 AOICe yesterday, At
IL M, at the Baptist Church. Very
few of those elected were absent, and
we presume that all of them will be
present to-day. The assembly pro-
cecded to organize by calling the Hon.
Franklin J. Moses to the Chair. The
several Districts and Parishes were
then called, and the members enrolled.
A question arose about the representa-
tion from St. Luke's Parish. From
this Parish {; single member was to
be elected. There were separate polls
held, and, it appears, two separate re-
turns. The seat is accordingly con-
tested between Messrs. Youmans and
McGregor. A debate ensued as to
which return was to be received. In
the debate, Messes. Aldrich, Orr, In
glis, Dawkins and others participated.
The result was, on motion of Mr. AL
drich, to set aside, for the present, the
returns from st. Lukcs until a full
organization of the Convention. The
question seems to involve no difficulty.
In one case, the regular managers of
elections, as appointed by the Legis-
lat,lre at its previous sessions, accord
ing to the Constitution and law, pre-
sided as usual; in the other case, as
we learn, the managers were consti-
tuted sui gene'is, of their own head,
and without authority of law. It WILL
be remembered that managers are
usually very carefully appointed by
the Legislature, and certain securities
of character are required, under thy
sanction of the delegates from each
District. We're it otherwise, Tom,
Dick and Harry, ut every precinct,
might hold elections, and the result
be anarchy, if not something worse.
The members OF the Convention
being properly enrolled, with the one
exception referred to, the Assembly
proceeded to the election of a Presi-
dent. Various persons were nomi-
nated-the Hon. Judge Wardlaw, of
Abbeville; Mr.. Dudley, of Marlboro;
Mr.. Solicitor Dawkins, Gen. Wade
Hampton, and perhaps some others.
Gen. Hampton was not present, and
we are doubtful, if, considering the
embarrassments in the way of COM
munication, he has been yet appraised
of his election as a member. His
more immediate friends declined the
nomination for him. We learn that
Judge Wardlaw was also unwilling to
serve, and Mr.. Solicitor Dawkins de-
cined in person. The result was that
Hon. Judge Wardlaw was elected
We were pleased to encounter
among the delegates many esteemed
friends and highly honored citizens of
the State-pleased to discover that,
in spite of events, to use the dying
words of Daniel Webster, they were
still living. Ex-Governor Pickens
looks as hale, happy and assured, as
if retirement from public life was
escape to Paradise. Mr. Orr and Mr..
Boycc are both evidently possessed
of more vitality than the Confederate
cause; but, not to enumerate, lest we
be invidious, we We're rejoiced TO see
that most of o,r leading men were in
good case, and by no means de-
spairing of the Republic. His Excel
lency Governor Perry arrived in
season yesterday, and will, no doubt,
furnish an elaborate Message to tire
Convention to-day, when the main
business of the session will begin.
The reader will see, in our report of
the proceedings cf the Convention,
all that We have need to say on this
subject, and, for the present, we for
bear all comment. With this report,