The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1865-09-27
The Convention

s.. H. I. PEAKE, Genl. supt.
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The Convention. -.
The irregular fight Of the Phenir bird ow
ing TO the disordered condition of the mails
leave us unfortunately without complete pro
ceedings of this body; we are unable consequent
" to give our readers full detail of what has
been done or proposed. From what We gather
however, the following synopsis, embraces the
pith Of all tbatis important, so far as heardfrom
TO this time:
The Ordinance Of Secession has beensrepealed.
In regard to slavery the following has been ap-
dopted by a vote of yeas 90, nays s.:
stThe slaves in South Carolina having been
de facto eunancipated by the action of the Gov.
ernment Of the United States, neither slavery nor
involuntary serritude, except as punishment
for crime, whereof the party shah have been duly
convicted, shall ever be re-estsbhsbed in this
STATE"
Resolutions have been offered to make valid
all contracts made and performed during the ex-
istence of the ConfederacY.
Resolutions to the following effect have been
offered and referred: That South Carolina Will
restore her political relations with the Govern
ment. That the Constitution shall be so altered
as to require the election of GoSernor ee be made
by the people. That he shall be re-eigible, and
that he shall be invested With a qualified veto
upos the legislation of the General Assembly.
That the election of Electors of President and
Vice President be made by the people, and that
the Governor communicate this resolution to the
next Legislature. That hereafter there should
be but one Treasurer of the State. with Office at
seat of Government; that the Office Of Comp
troller- General be abolished; and-that che Offices
Of Secretary Of State and Surveyor General shall
also be held at the seat of Governments. That
the sittings of the Courts of Appeal and for the
Correction of Errors be held only at the seat of
Government. That the basis of representation in
the House of Representatives shall be the white
population of the State; The number of members
one hundred. In the Senate to be based equally
upon white Population aad taxation, provided,
each judicial district be entitled to at least one
Senator; number of senators to be fixed st for
II. That the Lieutenant-goFernor shall be cx-
o6icic president of the Senate That ,alt sIss-
tioas by The Legislature shall be made viva Voce,
and the name of the member and the person
voted for be recorded.
That the committee on the Judiciary Depart
ment be instructed to inquipe and report 'on the
propriety of establishing in the Constitution the
following provisions.
u. One Supreme Court, With appellate. juris-
Sictien throughout the State the Judges thereof
to be selected by the Governor, subject to the
approval ST majority Of the Senate.
3. A Superior court the Judges thereof to be
selected and approved m like manneras the Jud-
ges Of the Supreme Court the duties Of said
Judges, among others, toconsist m administer
ing the usual duties in each judicial District
twice in every year.
3. a District or Judicial court to consist Of one
Judge, resident of the Judicial District, to be
elected for the term of four years, by the voters
of the District; the duties Of said court extend
ing to the hearing and determining all small and
mean causes, and also all causes, lately within
the jurisdiction Of the court of magistrates and
Freeholders not. however preciuding the Office
of magistrate Said committee viii also inquire
andrepoEs on the proprety Of giving said court
ali jurisdiction now exercised by the Ordinary Of
the District.
: Mr. William Wallace introduced the following
resolution
Whereas by the fortunes of var, our former
noble and. beloved chief magistrate, Jefferson
Davis, is now lapguishing in prison, awaiting his
the North, not satisfied with the widespread ruin
and desolation which they have caused, are
shrieking for his blood
RssolUed, That it is the paramount duty Of
South Carolina, who led the way in our late
struggle for independence, and for which stug.
gles BE IS now suffering, to use every lawful
means IN Der power to sEert the doom which
threatens him.
: ResolreS, That to this end, q deputation of
members Of this body be sent to the city Of
Washington, fnsbehalfof the people sof South
Carolina, to ask of his Exceiency, the President
of the United States, to-extend to the Hon. JET.
feTson Davis that elemency which he has shown.
us, who are equally the sharers of his guilt, if,
guilt there be, and which is accomplishing so
much towards restoring the peace and harmony
of the Union.
Mr.. Connor offered the following as an amend
ment which was accepted BY Mr. William Wall
lace. - p. T. ~. -
Resozusd, That it be referred to committee
of Three, to draft memorials to be addressed, by
this convention, to His Exceilency, the President
of the United States, requesting Executive ciem-
ency for Jefferson Davis, the late President, and
A.HH. Stephens, the late Yice;President of the
Confederate States a. G. Magrath and Geo. A.
Trenholm, eitizens.of this State.
Whereupon, the President appointed the. fol-
lowing members of the COMMITTEES Messrs. Con-
nor, William Wallace and Mr. Rose. -.
Mr. F. W. Pickens introduced the following
resolution; which was referred to the committee
on Ordinances and Resolutions.
RESOLVED, That it be referred to the committee
on Ordinances and Resolutions, to inquire and
report on the propriety Of sending a competent
agent to Washington, to ascertain from the Fses-
ident what Is the condition of~the lands called
abandoned Laads'' in this State, and how long
It viii be before the owners Of such lands will be
restored to the possession of their property. r.,
It IS presumable that the Parish System viii
be abolished. And that the election of electors
of President as well as that Of Governor will be
given to the people, while the powers of the
Governor and Lieut.. Governor will be extended
SO as to include the appointment of SheriAs,
0rdinariesy Clerks Sc; all off,
GERS responsible to the Legislature.
a. 4. resolution has been passed giving TO the
members Of Congress FIVE dollars per day for
their attendance and 20 cents milage, going and
returning. ..s.. "