The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-08-21
Thc scnth Cnrolinn Society.

The wnc wllich has inst closed has brought to n
level the rich and the nccdy-the pf5sei ~
humble-and has taken in its relentless grasp from
the Golfers of the charitable those means which
they had of blessing the widow, educating the or
phan, and bestowing happiness upon the unfortu-
nate generally. In its widespread devastation,
like the raging fro on the plain, nothing has been
spared; the mite Of the poor and the wealth Of the
opulent has been licked up by its flaming tongue
leaving behind nothing but ruin and dcsolatior.
Associated bodies whose benevolent kindness sus-
tanned the bereavcd widow, and pointed the way of
honesty and virtue to tho child of many deceased
member have, with the rest been pecuniurily
struck down; and no one has felt more forcibly
the harshnoss of the blow than the Society whose
name heads this article, aud whose bountics were
of the most extensive kind.
Believing that short history of this Association
will be interesting to many Of readers We will
occupy, in two or three numbers, small space to
it, taken from the Introduction to tho Rules of tho
Society.
Several refugees and their descendants, men,
bers OF the French Protestant congregation of
Chariestown, having among them an individual,
who was in low circumstances, and had opened q
small tavern in order to maintain himself and fam
lily, agreed to meet at his house whenever they
had any business to transact and to spend an eve
ming or two there every week. purely to assist
him. They were then generally called the French
Club. AS their sole motive was charity, they after
short time agreed, each to contribute fifteen
pence at every meeting, towards raising fund for
the relief of any others of their members who
cumstance the society derived the appellation Of
the Two-Bit Club. -Four halfpencc passed for
enrrency-equal to three cents and seven Mills
This happened about the end of the year 1876. or
beginning of 1797; and having fixed on every
Tuesday for their , weekly meeting, limiting their
Al
and their contributions to one shilling and three
pence per week, they appointed one of their num-
Der Steward, to collect and take care of the stock
and keep regular account thereof.
After this association had continued for some
time, several persons who had knowledge of tho
French tongue, became members, that they might
improve themselves in that language, no other be-
ing yet allowed to be spoken in the society," and as
debates, would sometimes naturally arise, they
two constables; but their number being small, il
was agreed that their Steward should be the Pre-
sident, and be addressed by the title OF "NIr Stew
ard.n
These regulations continued until the first of
September, 1887, when they made further rules,
dated the regular com,1encement of the club from
Club. eRei' '''N ''''p''0 'A' 'A'''' 'i VIC oa'0na
Many disputes and disturbances arose amongst
them between this period and the 4th of April
1888, whereby the Club had nearly undergone a
dissolution. But, happily, before that day the
members agreed to frame new rules, alter the for
uicI udIne 10 tnhU OI tnc CaTOuna orclctS, ADMIT
no language to be spoken but English, and to have
the following officers, viz: steward, to be their
presiding officer; two Wardens as assistants to
him, and Treasurer to be elected annually; it
was also agreed that Clerk and two Constables
should be chosen quarterly; which being done, tho
whole stock, amounting to f21s 16s. currency, was
put into the hands of the Treasurer, and the new
rules were signed by all those who chose to con-
tinuc members At this time the Society consist
ed ed. Of forty-three members; they then appointed
and for the election Of their principal officers.
The foregoing account is nearly taken from the
to the sixth edition of the rules and
tolcrabiy satisfactory information of the orr
gin and progress Of the institution. Wo thence,
further learn that the then existing rules tended
and good order; in consequence of which, com
mittee was appointed to revise and new model
them; this being done and approved on the LIST of
May, 1888, they were engrossed and called the ORR
ynal or constitutional rllles.