The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-17
THE CONVENTION,
CONVENTION HELD BY AUTHORITY OF TIL
RECONSTRUCTION LAWS OF CONGRESS,
TO FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION
FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.

| tined to become more familiar. Inc DISCUS
sion reported shows disposition on the part
of tho colored delegates far more moderate
and impartial than was exhibited by many Of
the whites. II this feeling continues, the pre-
dictions made by many in the community that
the South Carolina Convention will be on i'm
provement upon other conventions OF similar
character, with the proceedings of which we
are familiar, is likely to be verified.
The address which Governor Orr has been
invited to deliver is expected to be Of great in
terest, and the convention looks forward to bis
presentation OF sentiment with not little Gu
riosiJy.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.
THIRD DAY.
The Convention assembled at 10 o'clock, and
after calling the roll the Secretary read the
the journals of yesterdays proceedings.
Some discussion ensued with reference to
the election of sergeant-at-arms, 1T having
come to the knowledge Of delegates that they
had chosen colored man wholly incompetent
to discharge the duties of the Office.
The several motions on this subject were
Withdrawn to permit Of prayer, and at the re-
quest OF the President, B. F. Whittemore, q
white delegate from Darlington, oficiated.
On motion of B. Odell Duncan, OF Newberry
(white), the resolution referring TO chaplalns,
adopted yesterday, was reconsidered, and, on
further motion Of the same delegate, the Presi-
dent was empowered to appoint some member
of the convention each morning to open the
proceedings with prayer.
On motion of the samo delegate, the door
keeper was instructed not to admit any one
who has not credentials as member, or is
privileged as q reporter or invited guest.
from
Candy, amending the Order No. 16O, conyen-
ing the convention, in respect to the name OF
delegate which was inaccurately printed.
The convention proceeded to the election OF
messengers, which resulted in the choice OF w.
S. Elliott (colored) and J. D. Bryce (whitei.
An effort was made to secure the appoint
ment OF three pages, but after discussion the
whole matter was laid on the table.
THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS.
J.J. Wright (colored), of Beaufort wish
to offer as motion that this convention do all
it can to sustain TIE CHARLESTON DAILY NEWS
and Courier for the correctness and Impartial
ity with which they have thus far ar'reported the
proceedings of the convention, and 90 as far
as becomes gentlemen to cause tho Mercury to
'evaporate." ,, >,
motion"
Leslie (whito), of Barnwell-Will the dele
gate from Beaufort reduce his motion to
writing2
Langley (colored) Don't this motion re-
ouire more than one second; for want the
pleasure of seconding it by myself Laughter.
N. G. Parker (white), Barnwell-I move
that the motion be laid upon the table.
The motion was not agreed to.
W. G. Whipper (colored), Beaufort trust,
MIR. President, that the question raised will
not be sustained. For one desire to have no
L or l6al-
ers. 1t is true that some papers have report
ed us fairly, and that others have indulged In
burlesaue; but we arc here for some other purr,
pose than to censure newspapers, anu IL VIII
be time enough when our dellDeratons nave
ended to take action in the matter proposed.
care nothing whether the editor OF the Mer-
curry, or his representative, comes here to bur-
iesone the proceedings of the convention or
the persons. of its members. He does 30 for
the purpose OF making money, and hope the
convention will not 40 far depart from it's dig
nity as to interfere with him in this design
We have higher aims before US than to seek to
control the columns of a journal which at best
can do us no harm. r.
B. F. Randolph (colored), of Orangeburg..lt
seems to me that to support this resoiutlon
will be to endorse these two papers-the NEWS
and Courier, and I do not understand that
either Of them has ever supported the Repub-
lican party, and does 80 at the present time:
! IAN am, Of course, pleased to see that both Of
them exhibit spirit of fairness IN making
their reports of these proceedings, but cannot
recognize the necessity Of endorsing them 10
the extent named in this resolution on that ac-
count alone. :.
J. J. Wright-In Offering my resolution, it
WAS not with q view to endorse the political
course Of either Of the papers named, but
simply to commend them to the convention
for the fairness and correctness OF their re-
ports and for the purpose Of stopping further
discussion. 1 now withdraw the motion.
B. Randolph (colored)-I now move, Mr.
President, that the reporters OF the Press be
invited within the bar Of this convention.
L. S. Langley (colored), Beaufort move as
an amendment that the reporter OF the . hier-
cury be excluded. do not propose to allow
or extend facilities to the editor of the Mer-
cury to burlesque this convention. The man
ner in which We should sustain our dignity ls
to treat those who do not come here us gen.
tlemen, as they really are. Now, ever since
the convention has been in session, the Mer-
cury has burlesqued it's members. don't care
anything about burlesquc myself, but 40 be-
lieye that paper to be utterly incapable OF a re,
spectable or gentlemanly course (applause), and
am not willing for that rebel sheet to bur.
lesoue this body. want it to be excluded.
am willing to admit oil who act like gentlemen,
but ell who are not gentlemen, but come here
in the garb OF gentlemen, want to see go
out.
F. j. Moses, Jr. (white), Sumter-I hope
that this question, having been opened, WILL be
discussed fully, and until every delcgate on the
floor, who wishes to do so, shall have spoken
upon it. myself regard the motion as one OF
the most dangerous that could be introduced
into this body. What has this convention to
do with the political course of q newspaper ?
What can we gain by putting seal OF condem-
nation upon the Charleston Mercury? We
have nothing to do with the political opinions
of any journal, and whether it represents us
fairly or unfairly, is matter which belongs to
it's own management. l go further; say that
i do not agree with that dogma which has been
set up here that no person in the State can be
gentleman, simply because ne happens to
differ with those upon this floor in political
oninion. Great God, Mr. President, shall we
abuse newspaper on account OF its mere oppo-
sition or burlesque of our course? don't
stand here to vindicate the Mercury. 1t is no
friend of mine. have been abused by it since
the convention assembled more than other men
on the floor, and yet hope this resolution will
be voted down with the most emphatic cen-
sure.
WF. l.. CardoZa-I am not in favor of endors-
ing either of the newspapers named. Fair as
the reports of the NEWS and Courier may have
been, they are not understood to be IN favor
of the consttutionality or legality OF this con-
vention. As TO the Mercury, it has burlesqued
ns. but to attempt to exclude its reporter from
the bar of the convention on that account,
would only be to exhibit O smallness, petit
ness of spite, unworthy Of our character. Let
It come and pursue what course they please;
1ot &c n,,rsua orr straightforward course and