Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-29
South Carolina Negro Radical Conven-
ton.
FIFTH DAY.

|
Prayer was offered by the Rev. James N
Runion.
The roll was called, and one hundred ane
one members answering to their names, the
President announced quorum present, ano
the Convention ready to proceed to business
! The Minutes of Friday were read, corrected
and approved.
The President announced the standing
Committees.
The sDelegation" from Edge6eld are dis.
posed of as follows:
R. B. Elliott (negro) on the Committee on
Bill of Rights.
P. R. Rivers (negro) graces the judiciary
| Committee.
John Bonum (negro) lends his financial
abilities to the Committee on Finance. !.
David Harris (negro) is on the Committee
on Education.
Frank Arnaim (white) labors on the Com
mittee on Petitions.
John Wcoley (white) devotes his legisla-
tive capacity to on Rules and Regulations.
Mr.. Miles M. johnson, of York District,
ga sound Republican and qualified" was
elected Sergeant-atArms for. the "august''
concern.
B. F. Randolph offered the following. reso-
luton, which was referred to the Committee
on Franchise and Elections:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Con-
vention the question of the cenfscation Of
property and the disfranchisement of citizens
for disloyalty should be lett to. the Federal
Government.
Mr.. James M. Rutland offered the following,
which was adopted:
Resolved, That it be referred to the Com
mittee on Finance, to enquire into the condi-
ton of the State Treasury, and that they re-
port to this Convention at the earliest practi'
cable period.
Mr.. F. j.. Moses, Jr., offered the following,
which was referred to the Committee on Leg.
isation:
Whereas, forced sales of property under
legal processes at the present unpropitious
period, when cotton is 80 much deprecated
in value, the daily necessaries of life so high,
and the whole country in such an unsettled
condition, that the entire planting interest is
endangered, as we'll as almost every other solid
interest in the State, depriying the planters of
the power to continue preparations for their
crops, and nearly all the laborers in the country
of their homes, and the means OF obtaining
provisions for their daily subsistence, and,
Whereas, The general destitution that must
inevitably ensue, can result in benefit only to
small class of persons, who live by speculat
ing on the ruin of others, therefore, be it,
Resolved, That we the representatives, OF
the people of South Carolina in constitutional
Convention assembled, do hereby respectful
ly, but earnestly petition Brevet Major-Gen-
eral Ed. r. s. Candy commanding Second
Military District, in order to afford this Con-
yention the necessary time in which to mature
proper measures of relief for the people of
the State, to suspend for three months any
execution or other legal processes under any
Judgment or decree rendered by the Courts Of
this State, for debt or debts contracted
prior to the 30th June, 1865.
Resolved, That the President of the Con-
vention be requested to forward at the earli.
est practicable moment certified copy Of
this preamble and resolution to Brevet Major
General Ed. R. S. Candy.
DR.. J. C. Neagle moved that the rules be
suspended, and that the preamble and resolu-
ton be adopted.
Mr.. Boozer objected to the suspension Of
the rules. 1t was one of the gravest anc
most important questions to be presented to
the Convention. A gentleman introduces
resolution to suspend the collection OF debts,
or rather to petition the military authorities
to suspend the collection of debts for three
months, and it is urged to press it before the
Convention at once. He desired such aques
ton to take the regular course, not being
prepared to discuss its merits. The Conven-
ton should not proceed hastily in matter OIL
such grave importance. 1t was sprung upon
them and he hoped the rules would not be
suspended.
Mr.. F. J. Moses, Jr., said if the member
from Lexington had been in bis seat last Fri
day, he would have known that q resolution
covering the same ground was introduced and
laid on the table. Three days had elapsed,
and it really did seem that members had full
time to make up their minds. 1t was very
common rule, when gentlemen wished to kill
resolution, to refer it to one of the standing
committees. He 1.-THE speaker was opposed
to referring it. It was important that such 8
resolution should be passed, and passed today.
The first Monday OF next month will be sales
day, when a vast amount of property will be
sacrificed under the hammer of the Sheriff II
not checked in time. Let the Convention, by
passing that resolution, show the people OF
the State that they are willing to rush any
thing demanded for the peoples welfare.
Mr.. @. C. Bowen opposed the suspension
of the rules and the resolution as it stood.
He understood there was to be some effort
made to afford relief, which would be con-
CURED in by large majority ofthe members.
But he wished to stats that he was opposed to
anything like class legislation, and this was
strictly Of that kind. 1t proposes to cnume-
rate what class Of people have acclaim to pro-
lection from this body. He saw no reason
why this should not go to its appropriate
Committee.
Mr.. Craig said if the matter was referred to
Committee, it would delay it, and perhaps
come up again too late to prevent sales of
property by the Sheriff in february. Itwas
important something should be done to pre-
vent the immense sacrifice of property through
out the State.
On the question being taken, the Conveu-
ton refused to suspend the rules, and on mo.
tion of Mr.. Duncan it was referred to the
Executive Committee, with instructions to re-
port tomorrow, (Tuesday.)
M. Duncan moved that it be left to the
discretion Of the chair to admit such visitors
to the Convention as he might deem proper.
Carried.
Mr.. j. M. Allen offered the following which
was referred to tho Legislative Committee:
Resolved lst. The personal property of eve
ry resident of this State, to consist of such
property only as shall be designated by law,
shall be exempted to an amount OF not less
than $1,000 from sale on execution Or other
final processes of court issued for the collec-
ton of any debt.
Resolved I'd. Every homestead not exceed
ing one hundred and sixty acres of land and
the dwelling house thereon, with the appur.
tenances to ha selected BY the owner, owned