Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-08-26
Oconee Republican Pow-W ow.

The Radical Party Of Oconcc County held
another County Convention in the Court House
at Walhalla on last Thursday, the 10Th instant,
for the purpose of clecting delegates to the State
Congressional and Judicial Conventions.
After the delegates had assembled Morgan II.
Bryce, the County Chairman, called the meeting
to order in his usual oratoricat style. Tho first
business before the assembled wisdom of tho
county was the election of a temporary chair
man and secretary. Bryce had this DISTINGUISHED
honor conferred upon him, with Johnson as sec.
rotary.
The business Of tho convention having reached
this point The question rose as to the admission
of two sets of delegates from Wagcner Town
snip, one OF the delegations being headed by
jackson Henderson and the other by Rev. Elias
jenkins, both colorcl Jenkins here made one
OF his most grandiloqucnt speeches in defence
of his delegation, telling all the ins and outs,
and how his delegates were and how IIendcrson's
were not properly elected.
The notorious W. r. (Bill Parker, Of Andcr-
son County, by invitation, got up and told the
convention that they wero nll wrong in their
proceedings and that they were making fools of
that the negroes could not govern themselves.
iic answered many questions propoundcd 10 him
about tho merits and dcmcrits of the contestants
and gave ''thc law on the subject"
1t was finally agreed that the chair appoint
committee on credentials to whom should be re-
ferred the whole matter, with power to send for
persons and papers. David Sanders, George
Sears, Henry Mellow, Zctcr Mitchell and Thos.
Patterson wcrc appointed MS said committee.
The committee retired 70 the back end Of tho
court house and for Yong solid hour had the
seats Of the two delegations under considcra-
ton. After patiently hearing evidence aud in
terrognting Witnesses from both sides, the com
mitcc agreed 10 seat five persons from each
party.
Upon learning The decision Of the committee
and finding that lie togcthcr with Dave Singleton
and l.. I. Blodgct were left out in the cold
jenkins began another one of his sidc.splittne
and roof lifting speeches, dcnouncng the action
of the cut and dried crcdcntial committee in
not seating himself, Singleton and Bodgcu
and believing forth with all the lung power pos
sible that thoy did not intend to abide the con.
nitlcc's report and would contend for "thcir
rights TO the bitter end. The excitement had
become intense between the opposing parties at
this time, and eliminated in q "knock down and
drag Out fight" between Green Cleveland and
Henry Wilson, both colorcd. The combat be-
tween these two bcllgcrcnt "colorcd gentlemen
was refreshing and inspiring and the scene at
this stage Of the proceedings is far beyond our
powers Of description. Amid the din and roar
of the fighting and cursing, the barking and
growing of two or three large masliT dogs and
the hurralIing of the Democrats, who were
the scenes that were going on with
intense interest, the mclolious voice of Bin
Parker was heard amid the uproar and confus-
ion singing,
There's a beautiful land, far beyond tho sky,
And Jesus, my Saviour is there,
lie has gone to prepare me home on high
Oh. long, oh! long to be there.
CHORUS.
In that beautiful land,
Where the angels stand
We shall meet, We Shall meet,
We shall meet in that beautiful landi
The singing had wonderful and tranquilzing
effect in soothing and calming The savage breast.
Order being restored and without solicitation
Parker took the chair and called tho convention
TO order. II was patent TO the observing mind
That the convention had cotton beyond the con-
troll of Bryce and it was necessary for something
to be done.
David Sanders therefore moved that Bill
Parker he elected permanent chairman Of .hc
convention and David Allen secretary. Motion
adopted.
Parker returned thanks for the honor con-
md fl,n
slated that the convention was now legally
organized for business. IIo stated further,
showing his appreciation of himself ,lat he
was now the presiding officer over Anderson
and Oconcc counties.
The report Of the committee on credentials
was then finally agreed to with amendments,
the amendments being The seating of Elias Jcn-
kins, Dave Singleton and f. L. Blodgctt, in the
place of those recommended by tho committee
Morgan II. Bryce, taking in the situation of
affairs and seeing that llo had been oustcd, hero
rose to question Of privilege and began speak
ing, when some one stated that Bryce was no
longer member Of tho convention and was not
entitled to be heard Parker 50 decided and
told Bryce he could retire and 20 homo TO enjoy
sweet roposc and pleasant droams.
Bryce walked out of tho convention very
where ho had so rocontly been tho
chief actor in the drama, but now stripped of
his power and authority, with his colors lowered
rs hc passed out Of Tho court house
that tho convention wac illegal and bogus.
running fight of words was kept up for a
short while between Bill Parker and jackson
Henderson about tho legality Of the convention,