Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-02-19
l865 are nnfriendlr to the colored reonle and

1865, are unfriendly to the colored people and
opposed in toto to the Reconstruction Acts
OF Congress- Their prejudiccs are so bitter
that it is impossible for the colored man to
obtain justice.
These Courts are now in Session in the dif-
fcrcnt country districts every S,sctk, and col
ored persons are being tried, convicted and
sent 10 the peniteutary on the most trivial
Offences. IL was upon these grounds, and in
the performance OF what he felt to be his du
ty, that he had drawn apetition requesting
Gencral Candy to abolish the District Courts
Of the State.
Mr.. Donaldson asked what disposition the
gentleman proposed to make Of the vast
amount tof business now in litigation in the
District Courts.
Mr Robertson said lie would let il lay over
unul the establishment of sound loyal Gov
ernment. Some men night BIZ kept in Jail u
little longer awaiting the decision of Court
to try the offence, but it would be better for
them to remain there little time than to be
sent to.the penitentiary
Ar. Leslie asked Mr. Robertson to amend
the petition by making the REQUEST Of General
Candy to dismiss the Judges, not to abolish
the courts. He doubted whether General
Canby had any authority to abolish the
Court.
Mr.. Robertson declined to accept the pro-
posed amendment.
r. Z. DeLarge moved that the resolution
and petition be referred to the Committee on
The Judiciary, with instructions to report to-
morrow. He did not wish to see this matter
rushed through in favor of abolshing the
Courts. The Convention refusing to refer and
the question being put on the original motion,
it was adopted.
Mr.. Leslie desired TO have his name re-
corded rs voting no."
Mr.. B. F. Hhitemore introduced two pro-
posed additional sections to the Constitution
in reference to amendments to the Constitu-
ton by the General Assembly and their rati-
Gca!iun by the people. All amendments
agreed upon by twu-thrds Of the members
VI the General Assembly, after being read
three times in each house: are to be submitted
tosthe people, and if ratified by a majority Of
1 qualified electors they arc TO become parts OF
the Constitution. Every fifteen years the
Legislature is to submit the question Of
general revision Of the Constitution to the
people.
H. E. Hayne offered the following, which:
was referred to the Committee on Petitions: 8
Resolved, That this Convention petitions
/ Congress for the removal Of the disabilities OF
such per.ons in this State who accept in good
faith the Reconstruction Acts of Congress
and the Constitution of the United States Us
amended. -.
Mr. Ru,lion offered q resolution i'll relation
to the permanent printing of the Journal,
and fixing tho number of copies at one thou
sand, which was lost.
Il. H. Cain offered the following, which was
adopted:
Kesovcd, That the Committee on Petitions
be hereby requested to report this house, at
Que O'Clock tomorrow, the preamble and
resolutions relatiTe to petlioning Congress
for a grant Of $l;OOO,OOO, to be appropriated
TO the purchase Of lands in this State.
Mr.. Chsm5erlain offered resolution, whic
va, adopted, requesting the President 10 lol-
ward 10 General Uauby withou; delay, copy
Of the resolution in relation to the District
Courts, adopted by the house to-day.
Dr. j. l.. Newell presented the petition CT
sundry citizaas of Anderson District, in ret
,.rcnce' 10 the division OF that district, which
vas referred to the Committee on the Lcgis'
ntive part Of the Constitution.
Mr. {. c. Bowen offered 4 resolution tina!
General Candy be requested to enforce the
Ordinance of the Convention declaring null
and Toid all contracts for slaves, until such
time rs the State is reconstructed.
Mr.. Bowen said that cases of this character
were being tried now before the Court OF
Equity, IN which it had been said the ordl-
nance had no binding effect
The resolution was adopted.
J.J. Wright called for the second reading
of the report Of the Committee ON the Leg
islatiye part Of the Constitution.
The report was taken up and Sections l,
Q. 3, 4, S, &: 7,S 9, 10, read second time,
Eallof which, with the exception OF No: ,,
Fsghich was recommitted to the Legislative
Committee, to alter in accordance with the
ordinance adopted by the Convention dividing
Dickens District, passed to third reading.
The llth Section received its second read
ing, and pending its consideration the Con-
vention adjourned.