Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-11
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.

| This body met IN Columbia on thursday
evening last, and was called to order shortly
after seven o'clock. One hundred and seven
ty-six delegates were present, embracing rep
resentatives from every county in the State
with the exception of Marlboro and Lancas-
ter. Ex-Governors Bonham and Manning,
and Gems. Kennedy, Hagood, Kershaw, Con-
ner, Butler, Gary and Harllee were among
the delegates.
The Convention was called to order by Gen.
Butler, chairman of the State Executive Com
mittee, who nominated Col. D. Wyatt Aiken,
master of the State Grange Of the Patrons
of Husbandry, as temporary chairman.
Col. Aiken was chosen, and, on taking the
chair, thanked the Convention for the honor
it had conferred upon him, and asked that the
proceedings be opened with prayer.
The Rev. DR.. E. J. Meynardie then offered
a prayer.
After some time spent in debating the mode
to be adopted in voting for permanent officers
of the Convention, and it being finally deter
mined that each member should be entitled
to one vote, and majority of the votes ne
cessary to choice, General Butler, Of Edge
field, nominated Gen. Kershaw, for permanent
president. There was no other nomination
for the position and General Kershaw was
unanimously elected.
The following vice-presidents were then
unanimously elected: First, NJ. L. Bonham,
of Edgefeld; second, Thomas Y. Simons, Of
Charleston third, James A. Hoyt Of Ander-
son; fourth, j. Mcqueen, of Chesterfield ;
fifth, B. F. Perry, of Greenville; sixth, John
son Hagood, of Barnwell
Messrs. Fox and CASTOR were chosen per.
manent secretaries.
Gen. Kershaw was then conducted to the
chair amidst hearty and long continued ap.
plause.
Gen. Hagood introduced the following pre-
amble and resolutions:
The Democratic Party of the State of South Car
olna, having met in Convention, after being with
out organization for many years, will address it
self exclusively to the work of the reorganization
of the party, and. of selecting delegates to the
National Democratic Convention.
Resolved, That the following shall be the order
| of business:
First The election of delegates to the National
the 9th day of June that there shall be fourteen
delegates, two from each Congressional District,
and four from the State at large, with an equal
number of alternates.
| oAoSeAoAA
| bv ballot, of the State Executive Committee, to
consist of thirteen members.
Third The Convention shall then 60 into cau-
Gus.
Mr.. Lipscomb, of Newberry, inquired
whether nothing more in the way of organl-
zation was to be had whether this Conven
ton was to be in power for two years whether
there was to be any platform.
G,o Horood oo;5 hot ninuto oroa
tion was not necessary for the white people
of South Carolina. 1t was only necessary to
sound the bugle and beat the drum, and they
would come out. The duty is now to elect
the delegates and State Executive Committee,
to which committee the rest could be safely
left.
Gen. Gary said he thought that the ques-
ton asked by Mr.. Lipscomb could be best
answered in the caucus.
Mr.. Lipscomb moved to 60 into secret ses-
sion on the resolutions.
Gen. Butler moved that a committee OF tif-
teen be appointed, to be known as "The Com
mittee on Business" whose duty it shall be to
propose a plan of action for this Convention,
and the committee report at 10 A. M. to-mor-
row, to which time the Convention stands ad.
Journed, and that the pendlng resolutions anu
all others be referred, without debate, to this
committee.
A debate ensued upon the resolutions offer
ed by Gems. Hagood and Butler, when finally
the question was taken on the preamable to
Gen. Hagoods resolutions, which was adopted.
Mr.. Meetze, of Lexington, moved to amend
the first resolution of Gen. Hagood so as to
make the executive committee fourteen in
stead Of thirteen.
Gen. Cannon moved to amend so that the
committee shall consist of fifteen, which was
agreed to, and the first resolution as amend
ed, was adopted.
The second resolution of Gen. Hagood was
then adopted, with amendments providing that
delegates shall be elected viva voce, and that
majority shall be necessary to choice.
The third and last resolution was then put,
and before its adoDtion q motion was made