The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-25
THE CONVENTION.
CONVENTION HELD BY AUTHORITY OF THE
RECONSTRUCTION LAWS OF CONGRESS,
TO FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION
FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.

The convention yesterday did nothing but
talk. The question, whether General Candy
shall be petitioned 10 suspend sales Of prop
erty under execution for period 4of three
months, has become sort OF test as to the
policy Of the body with reference to measures
of relief. The fight thereon is therefore fierce,
noisy, and characterized by the bess imitation
of parliamentary pyrotechnics OF which the
delegates are capable.
Our readers will observe that De.Large and
Whipper, one q Charleston and the other
Northern born colored man, are the cham"
pions Of the people, while Cardoza, another
colored delegate, has still as much $'war on the
brain" as the most unreconstrueted rebel
One would not suspect it, for Gatdoza is ss
'smild hammered man as e'er did cut t.
throat" He is withal the best dressed dele
gate in the convention. A beaver hal
smooth as brushing can make ii, dainty
cane, kid gloves, gold watch chain aud
immaculate shirt front, are extnrnals sug-
gestive Of large church, fourshing con-
gregation and frequent perquis!tes. CAR
doza, having been educated abroad, ID
good speaker-more correct than any other ct
his colored brethren in point Of style but ur-
fortunately his voice sounds very much as II
his throat had just been McAdamized and
words we're not accustomed to roll through 30
rough a passage. Perhaps he has cold.
In color, he has shade Of rich deep olive
brown, 80 called, and altogether is one OF the
handsomest, most dignifed, most egotistical
and proper delegates in the convention. II he
would tone down just little, and become o de-
gree more moderate, he might rim for Con-
gross and win the first time.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COW VENTION.
NINTH DAY.
The convention assembled at IL o'clock.
PRAYER BY Rev. W. @. Smith. The roll WIS
called and journal read.
INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS, TO THE CONVENTION.
The President laid before the convention q
communication which he had resolved from
General R. z. Scott, Assistant Commissioner
Of the Freedmen's Bureau, who sans:
ST have the honor to transmit for your con-
sideration, and for the action Ct the con-
vention over which you have the honor to
preside, if in your Judgment it may seem
best to lay the matter before it, the en-
closed letter. It is one Of the many cora-
plants l have received during the past
few weeks and as the condition Of affairs
described therein arises from what seems to
be o gradually growing sentiment on the part
of the freedpeople OF the State, think an ex
preston Of some KIND, in the form Of reso-
luton, announcing the sense of the conven-
tion on the subject, would have the most bene-
fetal results. The sooner such ideas as those
held by the freedpeople upon the plantation OF
Mr.. Erwin are eradicated, the letter 1t Will Do
for both the planter and laborer.
81 have also suggested that such an express
sion on the part Of the convention would do
more than any act Of the military to dlsabuse
their minds that the convention has lands at
it's disposal for distribution"
The letter of Mr.. Erwin is dated from Ken,
sington, Eastern Branch, Cooper River, ana
substantially is as follows:
!"A, condition Of things has arisen on tins
plantation among the freedmen OF which l
think it necessary to inform you at once, and
request that you will communicate with me
upon the subject. I have offered General
Scott's contract to the people on the planta;,
tion for their acceptance, but was answered
with a fiat refusal to make any contract at all.
They went on to say that they would work the
lands, but until something was decided IN tnelr
favor by the sitting Of the convention, they
would not sign any agreement or make my
terms with me whatsoever. Now this is like
taking possession OF my lands out anu cut,
and am not disposed to submit without every
effort to establish my authority over what |
consider my own property. I am not disposed
to be harsh in my measures, believing as 90
that all this is the result Of false teaching but
SIMPLY wish that you would advise me as to the
proper method to pursue either to compel
them to sign this contract Of General Scott's,
or to quit my premises at once, so that I may
have chance Of procuring othec labor before
it is too late. I have given theHe people full
warning that if they insist upon working my
lands without contract, they do it at their
own risk, and am not bound now to contract
with any Of them again against my will, or re-
cognize their work in any way. If my planta-
ton affairs are to await the deliberations OF
the convention, you will readily perceive the
necessity of immediate action III order to disa-
buse their minds of the prevailing idee, that
something is to be done for their especial bene-
fit by the convention"
The President observed that the communi-
cation would lie upon his table until it was
called up.
On motion Of R. C. DeLarge lcolored), the
convention resolved itself into committee ol
! the whole on unfinished business, L. BoQzel
twhite), in the chair.
PETITION TO SUSPEND BALES.
| -.a.k;o,, Lo,3, nv, tho udoptinp NJ The