The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-08-09

tue Of o recognition Of the justice of the laws,
and restore peace and quiet where dscontent
new reigns and, as preliminary to o change Of
these laws, we invske his Excellency, X. d.
Hayes, President Of the United States, to extend
amnesty unto all persons in this State who have
violated them - Il
Resolved That this Convention commends
with eutire appreciation the course which has
been pursued in the late session of Congress by
our distinguished State senator, the Hon. Mo.
Butler, as wellas by his Democratic colleagues,
the Hon. d. Wyatt. Aiken andtthe Hep- j. II.
Evins, in the House of Representative |; and
the State now calls upon them IN their respect
i've spheres of duty to exert their influence aud
ability to effect the desired modification of the
excise laws, and secure for people the relief
which is SO much needed and sought for.
All of which is respectfully submitted, and
signed by the committee. '.. -r
The platform, as presented by the committee,
was adopted without opposition or debate, and
the only controv ,rsy upon the report arose on
the recommendation of the committee to lay on
the table the resolutions offered by Mr.. Tillman
in relation to the calling of a Constitutional
Cens scntion, and by Hon. ID. w. Aiken in rela-
ton to war claims.
Mr.. Tillmans resolutions were rs follows:
Whereas, the present Constitution of South
Carolina, beside being the odious haudiwork of
fools, knaves, aliens and bayonets, is not only
i'll adapted to the circumstances and needs of
our people, climate and pursuits, but is also too
cumbersome and expensive for small thinly
settled, and impoverished State /; therefore, be i,
ist. that the next General Assembly should
pass an act submitting to tbs qualified voters of
the State the question of 'Convention or s.No
Convention TO frame q new Constitution suit
able to our wants and means.
I'd. That when said Constitutional Conven-
oh hu
dinance, as nearly as practicable respect the
vested rights of all public officers by continuing
them in their respective Offices for the time dur
ing which each may have been elected to serve.
MIR. Tillman supported his resolution in an
eloquent and fiery speech, the conclusions of
which were that the people of South Carolina
never could be entirely free and disenthralled
till they had thrown off the miserable Constitu-
ton fastened upon them by bayonets and car
pet-baggers. lie held the State of Georgia up
as the highest example to follow, and urged that
as Georgia had~done South Carolina should re.
organize her Constitution, requiring the presen-
tation of poll tax receipt to enable persons to
vote. The resolutions were tabled by q large
majority.
Col. Aikcn's resolutions were rs follows:
q. whereas, the political status of every citizen
.A& 4Ak. South UtAhssiH iHaEof the rebellion
70 cnficd) was well known and Enthusiastically
defined either as o Confederate or Federal sym
q,
under the law, be recognized in OH appeal to the
general government for reimbursement of losses
individually sustained during the war; there
fore,
Resolued, That all those claims presented to
Congress by post 6ellum loyalists, and known MS
Southern war claims, are prima fdcie of doubt
full validity, and should only be approved after
being subjected to the closest scrutiny and most
critical examination.
ResolOed, That in the opinion of the Demo-
Gratis of South Carolina Southern war claims
are not subjects for Congressional legislation,
but should be referred to some tribunal estab-
lished and authorized to give them final adjudi-
cation.
The debate on this resolution was participated
in by Col. Aiken and Messrs. CASTOR, Tilmahy
'sn<AT. II. Cooke for-thc resoiuIiS..;se. .,.ssuef
Dibbie and Col. Evins against it in its present
shape. by those favoring the resolution it was
held that its passage was necessary in order to
set the South right and to counteraot the terrible
agitations raised over this question at the North
where so much political capital has been and is
being made at the expense Of the Democratic
party. Those opposing held that its passage
was not necessary, and would be misconstrued.
On motion of the Hon. L. ii. Cooke, the resolu.
ton was tabled
In relation to the endorsement of the course
Of Senator Butler, and Representatives Aiken
and Evins in Congress, Gen. Darlington meved
to amend by the substitution of the following:
"Their whole course on this subject" He said
he could not endorse their course on all matters
Hon. NJ. 7. OConnor spoke against the amend
ment, and Gen. Garlington's motion was tabled
Cen. A. c. Garlingtonthen introduced the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Resolved, That this Convention, having full
confidence in the ability, honesty and fidelity
of his Excellency Governor Wade Hampton, and
Lieutenant Governor Simpson, Attorney Gen.
eral Leroy F. Youmans, Secretary of State r..
NJ Sims, Comptroller General johnson Hagood
State Treasurer s. l.. Leaphart State Superin-
tendent Of Education Hugh s. Thompson and
Adjutant and Inspector General +. w. Noise, in
the administration of the different departments
of the government, does hereby renominate his
Excellency and the said State officers as candi.
dates for their respestiHs Tem 10 tho peonI.
~ SS6uth Caroline for their hsax
suppSr1 lIblty and undivided
II is needless to shy that these resolutions