The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-09-11
GRAND RALLY OF TIE WORK.
INGMEN.
Carolina Hall Filled to Overlooking
Columbia Register.

Promptly at 8 o'clock last night the work
ing men began to pour into Carolina Hall, de-
spite the yellow fever benefit at the Opera
House, drawing It's share of the populncc.
Quite number of distinguished profession
al men were present, and seemed to take Il
Lively interest IN the proceedings.
On motion MI. John y. Elkins was called
to the chair and McssrS. John A.. Moody,
PrcSSly Browna nuR. u. Sem elected Vice
Presidents.
Colonel Tilman Walton was elected Secrcta-
The following preamble and resolutions
were submitted by the committee appointed
ut q previous meeting to draft resolutions:
Whereas our State was rescued in the ever
memorable campaign OF 1876 from q bondage
more terrible in its consequences had 1t con-
tinucd than my under whose yoke frccmen
had ever been compelled by the miSfOrtuneS
Of war to pass, threatening to destroy the
fruits OF centuries of civilized efforts In be-
half of all that tend to the advancement of
our people and the attainment Of sound prln-
ciples OF morality. virtue and industry:
And whereas iu this great work OF rcdenp-
ton the worklngmen OF our state; at great
personal sacrifice and peril. responded to er-
cry requirement for the public good. as wilt
ness the noble martydOm OF Buckner, or
Charleston. whochccrfullyg gave up his life In
order that our safety shoild no longer be en-
dangcrcd by the domination Of ignorant, ia
natlcal and brutal men;
And whereas the wOriingmcn Of the State
have heretofore deferred to the superior elu-
catlOnal 1u1IiIlca;lOnS Ol tnclT lcilOW-tlli-
zcnS engaged In the pursuits of life rendering
such accomplishments necessary, hoping
that their wisdom and >acacity would devise
means whereby those who could work and
were willing to do 80 might he enabled to
gain II livelihood for themselves and those
dependent upon their eXcrt+ons;
And whereas, though our legislators Of the
last General Assembly were In session from
the 9th of November until tho I'D of March,
at great cost to the tax payers of the State,
the character of their legislation has not af-
fordcd any relief to the labOring classes, but,
on the contrary, the outlook is more gloomy
and hopeless than ut any time since the close
OF the war: therefore be 1t
Rcs0ircd, That the time has come when the
~workingmen should grapple with the affairs
of state and no longer abstain from seeking
sense, practical knowledge and feelings in
sympathy with their own on the part or
their representatives to transact all business
which may demand their consideration.
Resolved, That we do respectfully recon-
mend to the Democratic County Convention,
to meet on the 18th instant, a full ticket, COM
posed of persons from the various callings of
life, and that we do tonight, to that end,
submit for their consideration candidates for
the various officers, with one w~Orkingman
for representative in the lower house and one
for School Commissioner. and that we do
urge by our personal and joint efforts tho Sc
lection Of our candidates by that body.
Resolred, That 1t Is our opinion that the
State should afford no protection to monopo
lies as against the interests of the poor labor.
ing men, and that we sympathizc with our
fellow-citiZens OF the low country In their en-
forced abstinence from toll in the phosphate
beds, to their dctrimcnt, without increase OF
revenue to the State, and to the benefit only
of the capitalists to whom exclusive rights
have been given,
Rcsoircd, That We look with disfnvor upon
the attempt TO reduce the salaries Of our legis-
latorS, rs it would eventually result In the
General Assembly being filed by only those
who could afford the luxury for their own graf
~lticatI0n or for purposes iuirnicul to those OF
the labOrinG classes.
Rcsoired. Tfa we dcprccate protracted scs-
sions Of the Legislature, caused by ambi-
tious politicians airing their rhetoric in de-
fence of or In opposition to matters which
may come before 1t, but that we arc perfectly
willing to grant a sutllciency OF time consum-
ed in promoting desirable objects conducive
to the public welfare.
Rcsoircd, That we recommend to our repre-
sentativcs In the Legislature the prOpricty of
aboliShing the use OF convict labor outside OF
the place of confinement, inlsmuch as 1t puts
honest labor ut q discount without correspond
ing benefit to the State.
Rcsolrcd, That we desire, and earnestly urge
upon our representatives to be elected the
propriety of lnaugurating measures for the
speedy development OF the Columbia Canal,
the Improvement OF the wagon roads over the
entire state, by paid labor, and restrictive
lawsagainsL unjust determinations in 1reights
by common carriers.
Resolrcd. That 1t Is the sense OF this meet
Ing that all aSpirantS for the offices in the
gift Of the voters Ofthe county should public
ly announce btheir intention and the office
they propose TO run previous to the meeting
Of theInOminating convention, and that In
such announcement they express a detcrml-
nation to abide by the selection Of that body
and work for the nominees.
,IrcSOtred, That we denounce the charge made
against us that we are trying to array one
class against another as utterly false and that
we will frown down any Iuan or set of men
O.ln n ttnmn nj IN prnRfn pnv nnt0unnign no.
tween the professions and tho trades.
On motion, the resolutions were taken up
for consideration.
The fourth resolution, on motion, was laid
on the table.
On motion, the seventh resolution was
amended by striking out the words "by paid
labor"
On motion, tho sixth resolution was amend
by inserting after the word confinement"
the words except on works Of public i'm
provement.'
Tho resolutions, as amended, were then
Nominations were then made for q member
Of the House Of Representatives, School Com
missioner and q member OF the Board Of
For Represcntatlve-John \. Elkins.
For School Commissioned. G. Sylvester.
For County Commissioner-John p. Will
liams.
lowing resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That we cordially Invite all work.
ingnen. irrespective Of race or color, to join
us in this movement.
Mr., Maxcy Gregg moved that the meeting
pledge itself to abide by the action Of the
Democratic Convention, whether they accide
10 our requests or not. which was unanimous
ly adopted by q rising vote.
A motion was made and carried amid great
inviting Judge Crawford to address
the meeting; and after n short but stirring
address from that popular and brilliant orator
on the duties of the Democracy In the coming
struggle, the Convention adjourned.
There was only one thing we thought 1ack-l
ing in the meeting, and that was that the ma
jority of the workingmcn, man. Of whom we
know to be men of original ideas, and SOME
them gifted with n due share Of oratorical
failed to participate to any extent.
save in the voting. Much more Of interest
would have attached to the meeting by short
from their representative men.
There Is no doubt but what the convention
will give proper consideration to the names
placed before them, for they are all worthy