The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-22


bers thus far in their speeches, and the proceed
ings ofyesterday are in striking contrast to SOM
of the wild convention doings in other States
The speech Of DR.. Mackey will be read with in
terest, as expressive Of the official opinion
the President of the convention concerning
the powers of the body; and, as bill Of rights
has been drafted, introduced and referred
there is some probability that the work to b'
done will be promptly completed, and the bod!
be soon adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.
SIXTH DAY.
The Convention assembled at IL o'clock
Prayer by Rev. A. W. Webster. The roll was
called and journal Of yesterday read.
The President called for
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
F. J. Moses, Jr. (white), from the Committee
on the Executive part Of the Constitution, te
whom was referred preamble and resolutions
concerning petition to General Candy, to sus-
pend for three months, all sales of property
under execution for debts contracted prior to
the SOth of June, 1885, reported that they had
considered the same, and unanimously recon-
mend that the same be adopted.
On motion of J. M. Rutland (white), of Fair
field, the report was made the special order for
one o'clock tomorrow.
SOLICITORS SECURED.
T.. J. Moses, Jr., from the same committee,
to whom was referred resolution to employ
tho legal services of G. D. Melton, ESQ.,, one OF
the State Solicitors in aid OF the purposes OF the
convention, reported that they had the same
under consideration and recommend that it do
&1o TINT Major n T
Corbin, United States District Attorney, be
included in the same arrangement
j.. Wright (colored), Of Beaufort, opposed
the adoption Of tha resolution, on the ground
TINT Major Melton, under the constitutional
amendment, was a disfranchised citizen.
While recognizing the Importance of such an
Office in connection with the convention, he
did not believe the gentleman referred TO could
be elected in accordance with any law until the
disabilities operating against him we're re-
moved and he was placed upon the footing OF
loyal citizen.
j. NJ. Rutland suggested that the delegate
from Beaufort Inexperienced the question,
which was not whether State officer should
be elected to fill the position named, but whe-
ther he should be called-be commanded as a
State officer already, to aid in the performance
candidate for any office in the gift OF che con-
vention. He is alxeady solicitor, and If this
invitation be extended to him, there is no man
in South Carolina, said the speaker, OF high
or order Of talent or more competent to aid IN
preparing business in proper shape for the
consideration of the convention.
The question being taken on the adoption OF
the report it was decided in the affirmative.
The resolution is as follows:
Whereas, in all conventions in South Carroll
ma, heretofore held, it has been wise and sal
ut ary custom to have the assistance and aid OF
the State Solicitors in the legal preparation OF
and other papers, and 1ohereds 1t ls
the earnest desire Of this constitutional conven-
ton to perform the important duties entrusted
to it in such manner as will commend 1t to
the praise and approval OF all law-abiding cltl-
zens. Therefore, be it
Resolued, That the necessary steps shall be
taken by this convention to secure the legal
services OF Major @. D. Melton, Of York Dis
trict, and Major D. T. Corbin, United States
District Attorney, of Charleston, should they
be willing to lend us their aid in fastening for
ward the work of reconstruction, room in
this building be assigned to their use, and the
per diem and mileage Of delegates be allowed
to each Of them.
PKNITENTIARY AFFAIRS.
Lemuel Boozer (white), of Lexington, from
the Committee on the Miscellaneous Pro-
visions Of the Constitution, to whom was re-
ferred resolution that o committee of fivo
shall be appointed to proceed to Columbia and
investigate certain reports concerning the
penitentlary, reported that they had consider
ed the same, and that, in the opinion of the
committee, its subject matter was one which
belonged exclusively to the Committee on the
Judiciary, since the resolution was PROPOSE
tjon to appoint commission to review the
action of the Judiciary of the State.
G. @. Bowen twhite), briefly opposed the
reference suggested, and moved the reoommit-
ment of the resolution to the committee from
which it had been just reported.
A division of the house being called for the
motion was negatived by large majority, and
the resolution was then referred to the Com
naittee on the Judiciary.
THE SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY.
The applications Of L. Boozer and B. F.
Randolph to be excused from service on COM
nittees, having been ASSIGNED for considera-
tion at q special hour, and that hour having ar
rived,
On motion of R. c. DeLarge, the special or
tlers were discharged.
BRIBERY IN ELECTIONS.
Timothy Hurley (whitel introduced reso-
luton. which was referred to the Committee on
franchise. that hereafter all elections in the
State shall be free and voluntary; that any
elector allowing himself to be bribed or cor
rupted by meat, drink or moneys, shall be pun
ished therefor; and that if any person who
shall directly or indirectly give promise OF, OF
bestow any such rewards, be elected, ho shall
thereby be rendered incapable to hold any
Office OF trust for period OF ten years, and be
punished by fine and imprisonment.
THE MILITIA.
The same delegate offered resolution, that
all able-bodied male citizens in the State be-
tween eighteen and forty-ive years of age, e1.
cept such persons as are exempt by law, shall
be enrolled, armed, equipped and trained q.
the legislature may provide. ALI ofhcers to DC
commissioned by the Governor, and to hold
islature 10 fix the divisions in brigades and
regiments. The Governor to appoint all Of
ficers above the rank of major, and majors and
other subordinate officers to be elected by tho
several commands.
Referred to Committee on miscellaneous
Provisions Of the Constitution.
A FUTILE ATTEMPT TO ABOLISH DISTRICT COURTS
Rev. ]. M. Runion (white), OF Greenville, Of
fered the following:
Be it ordained, de-, That the inferior courts
of each district, known as District Courts, be
and the same are hereby abolished, and al
judgments and DEGREES Of such courts rendered
after the passage OF this ordinance shall b.
null and void.
DR.. Neagle (white), of York, moved that tn
convention go into committee OF the who'll
on this subject.
The President explained that all resolution
whose object is Of q permanent character or
required by rule to be referred to q committe
before they can be considered, unless the con
n