The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-22
Dual State Governments.

few evenings ago before the South
Carolina Historical Society in Charles
ton, a very instructive and interesting
address on Dual State Governments in
South Carolina. He showed that
thrice IN the history of this State her
citiZcns have been called upon to
choose between rival governments,
and TINT each time the will OF the pco-
pie trinnphcd. The first issue was
In 1719, the second in l775 and tho
third IN 1876. so that though tho
Hampton-Chambcrlain was new
thing to the present generation, it was
inrcalfty but another instanc. of his
tory repeating itself.
Carolina was granted by Charles II.
asa reward for fidelity to his cause to
eight of his adhcrents, the Duke of
Albemarlc, Lords Clarendon, Craven,
Ashley and Berkeley, Sir George
Cartcrct Sir William Rcrkelcy and
Sir John Colleton. These began the
work Of settling the territory in order
to turmthcir speculation to account.
A model constitution, prepared by
Lord Shaftesbury and the philosopher
Locke, was sent over, but it's provis-
ions were entirely too Utopian to suit
the practical minds of the settlers.
The whole system with its "seignorys,' >
its "baronys," it's "prccincts" and it's
"colonys," its electoral and judicial
colleges, its eight supreme courts, be-
fore which it WAS to bo "base and
vile thing to plead for money and re-
warl," was abandoned after four un-
successful attempts to cngraft it on tho
Ill. Even the seductive titles Of
"Landgravc" and "Caciquc," which
could be purchased at stipulated
price, were dcspiscd.
For fifty years the colony twas ruled
by temporary regulations, subject to the
caprice Of tho proprictors. These ap-
pointed a governor aid council, or
senate, and the people chose COM
mons-housc of assembly. The pro-
prictors were constantly changing.
When the charter was cxtinguished it
was vested In two peers, the son of a
peer, n baronct, n Carolinian, a bar
ristcr trustee for another barrister,
three trustees for an adult and an i'll
FAINT, while the eighth share was in
chancery. Endless quarrels arose over
Quitrcnts and other matters, until the
people became dissatisfied and dis
gustcd. Finally poverty and misfor-
tune were added to misgovernmcnt
and tho burden became unbcarable,
The proprietors had tlcbarrcd the dis
scntcrs, who numbered two thirds Of
the population, from participating in
the government, they had taken away
lands from purchasers without re-
funding the purchase money, and had
appointed incompetent men to office.
The Colony was burdcncd with debts
incurred in Indian wars, and Il Spanish
heet was threatening Charleston. The
proprietors refused to allow a tax to
pay this debt, and they refused to
open election precincts over the State,
thus compelling everybody to vote in
Charleston, and dissolved al assembly
that had been elected throughout tho
Colony. Then they took from the as
scn'bly the appointment of officials
paid by the people, upheld Chief JUS
ticc Trott in his exactions, and cn-
largcd the council.
Then the people resolved to rid
themselves of the proprictors. They
elected new assembly, which declar-
cd all the acts repealed by the proprie-
tors to be of full force, and proclaimed
itself convention to act for the peo-
pie until the King should himself as.
sumo control. Governor johnson ro.
fused to recognize this body, and Col.
James Moore was chosen and inau.
gurated governor by tho people In the
mime Of The King. The convention
elected full set Of State officials and
appointed a new council. Both sides
appealed to Cesar. III those days
communication was slow, and cabi-
nets dilatory, and for sixteen months
"dual government" existed. The
clergy would not solcmnize marriage
without a license from Governor
johnson, and many adhcrents of the
proprietors and cautious persons re.
fused to pay the taxes levied by tho
peoples government. But tho reyo
luton progressed. Judge Trott wat
removed and many others. When tho
spanish fleet appeared, tho people or
ganizcd and defended the city, Gov
ernor johnson all the whilo protesting
entreating and threatening by turns
Finally he called IN the aid of certai,
British vessels IN tho harbor to M
down this "rebcllion." But the nco
pie quailed not. Fortunately befor.
hosiilities began tho welcome new,
camo that tho King had acceded 10 tn,
wish Of tho Colonists and had appo,nt
cd Governor Nicholson to take charu,
& OF the Province. Thus ended peace
fnlly tho first uprising Of the peop,,
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