The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-07
THE CoNvENT TION.
FoR9Y-FoURTH DAY.

The c0nVenllOn QedrS llS ueCetSe. ihS l iS-
ident yesterday announced that all the ordi-
nances reported from committees had been
passed to their third reading. There is, never
theless. enough of business maturing to oeca-
py the body for six or eight days. longer, and
there will be no dearth of interest to the pro-
ceedings vet to follow. Much of the interest
will necessarily result from party movements.
The whites are playing shrewd game upon
the political chess-board, and the colored mem
fully aware OF the attempts being made to
crowd them out of the valuable and RESPONSE
BILE Offices in the gift of the party, are likewise
deeply interested in the result of the nomina-
tiens about to be made. The impression has
been industriously circulated that the greater
the number OF negroes in power, the fewer
will be the chances of Republican success. In
other words, that the spirit Of the North is op,,
posed to negro supremacy, and untl! age ana
experience shall teach ttat spirit better, II Will
not be safe to elect colored men. Hehce' "nio
the grab-bae is held by hands all round, as
printer would say, the STAT takes" are appro-
Iriated only by white men. They keep the
corn for themselves, and buy votes with the
cob. H.
After the usual preliminary proceedings the
following resolutions were offered:
ByC. NJ. Wilder-That the Committee on
the Legislature consider the propriety OF In
Producing an ordinance requiring oil the rail-
roads in this State to charge the same rates
for passage and freight over the entire length
of their'roadsin the States. Agreed TO-
By MIR. N. G. Parker-That all chartered
cities and towns shall hold their municipal
elections within thirty days from the ratilca-
ton OF this constitution, and that all munich
pal Offices shall be declared vacant within
thirty days after the adoption of this constltu-
ton. Referred to special committee OF mne
That a clause in the constitution ID necessary
defining the qualifications OF jurors. heler-
red to the Judiciary Committee.
That the General Assembly at its first ses-
sion shall provide suitable laws for the regis
tration Of all qualified electors and for prevent
ing frauds at elections. Referred to Committee
on Franchise and Elections. -.
L. s. Langley presented the petition OF atl,
zens OF Beaufort, praying the convention to
request General Candy to remove oppressive
officers now in power at Beaufort. Petitions
we're presented praying for the removal OF the
political disability Of Jacob Kepler, Andy
Basken, Of Columbia, and John W. Twitty.
Referred to Committee on Petitions.
MIR. T. J. Robertson offered an ordinance,
which was read the first time and ordered to
be printed. 1t provides that commission Of
three persons shall be appointed by the Presl-
dent of the convention, whose duty it shall be
to investigate the financial condition OF the
State, the situation and value OF property,
assets, securities and other resources appll-
cable to the discharge OF its valid obligations,
and to report thereon with their.rscommenda-
tion to the General Assembly upon Its being
convened. The said commission 70 have power
to inspectrecords and vouchers, and examine
persons. The pay Of the commissioners to be |
the same per diem allowed to members OF The |
convention.
The report OF the Committee on Corporations |
was passed to it's third reading.
The report of the Committee on Miscella-
neous Affairs was also passed to its first read
ing.
Mr.. B. F. Whittemore introduced the follow |
ing as one of the sections OF tho Legislative |
part of the constitution:
'sThere shall be elected by the qualified cleo
tors OF the State Comptroller General, Treas. |
urer, and Secretary of State, who shall hold |
their respective offices for the term OF four |
years, and whose duties and compensation shall
be prescribed by law"
MIR. B. o. Duncan moved to strike out ',four'
and insert two years" which gave rise to m
extended debate.
MIR. G. P. Leslie said he did not believe in
forcing officers for 30 long tune upon peo-
pie who we're not permitted to vote. The OBJ
feet of this section was clearly to fix the party
in power without allowing those who paid their
money to enjoy the chow, and it was evident
that the party was afraid it would not be able
to maintain that power unless they adopted
some such provision which, whether or no,
foisted officers upon the people for four years.
Messrs. Whittemore, Duncan and others 1ur-
ther discussed the question, and the question
being taken it was decided in the negative So
the section was passed to its third reading.
The convention adjourned at P. N.