The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-18
The Reconstruction Convention.
THIRD DAY.

CHARLRsToN, 8. c., january 16,
1865. The Conventions assembled at
10 a. ms and was called to orders:by
the President, A. G. Mackey. The
roll was called, and seventy-nine
members answering, the President
announced n quorum present.
Mr.. L y. Duncan moved recon
sideration Of the resolution passed
yesterday regarding the election OF
officers. so rs to amend by leaving il
to the President to invite any clergy.
man present to open the Convention
with prayer. b.. rs., GA 81
Rev. lB., F. Randolph opposed the
adoption{of the amendment, on the
ground that they would, perhaps,
frequently be without clergyman in
attendance, and also that it was
against the practice of Congress and
other Legislative assemblies to select
one of their own members for open
ing the proceedings with prayer.
From the fact, also, that clergymen
in the Convention might conscien-
tiously differ, and each see fit to
advocate their peculiar views, he
hoped the members would see the
propriety of electing chaplain out.
side of the body.
The question being taken on the
original motion, it was adopted.
Several motions were made to alter
the minutes, with q view of expung-
ing that portion relating to the cleo
ton Of sergeant-at-arms, the object
being to oust E. S. Conway, colored,
the person elected to that office, many
members having come to the conclu-
sion, since his election. that he was
not fit for the place.
The result of the election for mes
sengers was in favor of W. S. Elliott,
very black and very civil negro,
apparently about twenty-one years of
age, and J. D. Price, white.
j. j. Wright moved that we do
what we can to sustain the Charleston
Daily Ne,rs and Courier, for the cor
rect reports which thev have given of
the proceedings of this body, and go
IS far as becomes gentlemen, TO de-
stroy the Mercury.
w. G. Parker moved to lay it on
thO GuuiCy OuO ldllcu.
W. G. Whippor hoped that the
motion would be lost, and trusted
that the question raised would not be
sustained, and that we will go into
no pickering with newspapers, or
their proprietors. Some papers have
made fair reports Of the proceedings,
while others have burlesqued them.
The Convention was assembled for
other purposes than to praise or CEN
snre newspapers, and, when our de-
liberntions are ended, and we know
what course the papers pursue, it
will be time enough to take action.
He cared nothing whether the editor
of the Mercury came there to bur-
lesque the proceedings or members of
the Convention. He wants to make
money.
Randolph thought that to support
the resolution would be to endorse
the sentiments of the Courier and
Ne'rs I do not understand that
either of them now support the Re-
publican party, and 1 therefore op-
pose the resolution.
Wright withdrew his motion.
B. +. Randolph, mulatto preacher,
delegate from Orangeburg, now
moved that the reporters of the press
be admitted to seats on the floor of
the house
L. S. Langley, a woolly-headed
negro from Pennsylvania, moved an
amendment, that the reporter of the
Mercury be excluded. He did not
propose to extend facilities to the
editor of tho Mercury to burlesaue
the Convention. He thought that
the way to support the dignity of the
Convention was to treat those who
came there not as gontlemcn, us they
really were.
Z. j. Moses, jr.. white delegate
from Sumter, hoped that the discus
sion would not be closed until every
one had been heard. He saw danger
lurking in the motion, and for so
cogent reason, it was rational that
he should oppose it. It was not, he
SAID, tho business of the Convention
to condemn the Mercury. They had
nothing to do with its opinions. He
did not agree with the other men of
the Convention, that men who diff
,ered with them in politics thereby
l0 l0st their standing as gentlemen.
Inc convention had no right to en-
aeavor to take away the patronage of
any paper in South Carolina. and he
hoped the motion would be lost.
Great God oboll 49,. '