The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-05
THE CONVENTION.
FoRTY-sECoND DAY.

For the last two days the floor of the con-
yention has. been field of battle. "Nobody's
hurt. but on both sides the thunder OF artll-
lery and small arms has baen tremendous.
Members have pummellsd each ether with elo-
cutionary war-clubs, used tomchawk and
scalping knife with most remorseless vigor,
and employed every means of demolition
from a pop-gun to boomerang which their
mental armory could supply. The primary
subject of discussion was education; first
whether it should be made compulsory; Sc
condly, whether, in default of the payment OF
q poll-ax of one dollar, voters should be de-
prived by the Legislature of the right OF SUI
fraSe.
1t is noticeable fact that not ono OF the.
white natives of tho State took part in the dis
cussion pro or con; that some were convenient
IL absent when the voting took place, and that
largo majority Of the convention refused to
go upon the record by repressing cln for tho
yeas aud nays. 1t was Further observable that
every Southern white man, who is candidate
for Office, took shelter under the wing OF the
strongest party, and voted with lustlress
which showed desire to be appreciated. 1t
was likewise demonstrated that in all ques-
tions which concern the colored race, the COL
ored leaders upon the floor have only to make
n sign and opposition dwindles into insignif-
canoe: candidates for Office suddenly become
as dumb as Egyptian mummies, and begin to
coSnt votes on their fingers, while the men
upon whom in their hearts they look as antag-
onists caily walk the track. The system ol
management is perfectly beautiful; and to ono
ford Of studying human nature, and political
nature, the floor of the convention is the best
of schools.
In fact, public affairs in the body would veal
n different phase, if the veal of the people wal
not made subservient to the desire for persona
| aeprandizement. This district and that mus
be conciliatcd; this delegate or the other is
msmber of the nominating convention, and
won't do to vote against his proposition, al
though it may he wrong, because, possibly, n
might throw his influence against you; and 30
q combination OF circumstances are brough
ont in the pell-men rush for place, which uni
nine-tenths of the members of the convention
black and white, for an impartial discharge o
public duty.
The proceedings yesterday may be brief
summed up.
TT. Wright offered resolution that it b.
referred to special committee OF hye TO rep0r
an ordinance appropriating the Citadel ana Tn
Grounds connected herewith, IN the Clty Q
Charleston, to educational purposes saio taf O.ta
| n1c 10 ho
lishment of college, which, IN conneGuoSl .
with grammar and primary schools, shail o
managed by q Board of Trustees, ana thel
successors, who shall be chosen by the Genera
Assembly, and shall be subject to visitation o
the Superintendent of the Board OF Pubic Id
struction of the State.
The Committee on Petitions, to whom wa
referred the petition presented by F. L: CaI
doza requesting Congress- to bestow the land
sold LOT taxes and now in the hands OF Tn
United States Tax Commissioners, on tn
coast, upon the INDECENT citizens OF the State
, made favorable report.
The consideration Of section Of the educa
; tional article was resumed, and after an carr
, est speech by L. l.. Cardoza, the chairman G
the committee it was, on his motion, amende,
bv the addition of the proviso, and passed
2 its third reading. It reads as follows:
SEC t. 1t shall bo the duty OF the Gener
Assembly to provide for the compulsory attent
ance, at either public or private schools, OF q
children between the ages OF six and sixtee
years, not physically or mentally disabled, ft
a term equivalent totwenty-four months; Pr,
oided, That no law TO that effect shall |
9 passed until system OF public schools hi
|. been thoroughly and completely organize,
a and facilities afforded to the inhabitants OF tt
. State for the free education of their children.
Section five provides that the legislature sns
levy an annual tax on all the taxable properly
). the State for the support of public schools, al