Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-26
and extended privileges for the schools, thereby
securing to- the pupils thereof benefits from
which some good wifi result,

securing to. the pupils thereof benefits from
which some good will result.
Resolued, That we earnestly urge upon ana ad-
wise the people to organize educational associa-
tions in each county, auxiliares to the aid fur
nished by the State, and suggest for the further
promotion and advancement of educational in
terests that the teachers unite in organizing and
forming teachers Institutes in their respective
counties, and give their active cooperation and
cheerful assistance in all matters looking to the
elevation and upbuilding of the people
Resolved, That a committee of five be appoint
ed by the Chair to wait upon the superintendent
of education and confer freely with him on the
question of an extension and enlargement OF the
school facilities, and the improvement of the
present school system, the better to secure more
| liberal advantages and decided benefits
H. J. Smith, of Charleston, read a long
article declaring that the negro was CRATE
! full to the Republican party for it's freedom,
but the emancipation of the negro was a
war measure, and the Republican party had
put white men into office whose only recon-
mendatiOn was the color of their skins,
while the negro, the backbone of the party,
was left out in the cold. The committees,
minutes to four took a recess until F. M.
Both wings, in fact all the wings or fac
tions in the Republican party, wre repre-
sented, Tom Hamilton, of Beaufort, being
among the number.
THE CoMMITTEE's REPORTS.
The following were appointed the COM
Beaufort, F. c. Brown and w. J. Bowen of
Charleston, R. S. Smith Of Berkeley, A. G.
Townsend of Orangeburg, E. J. Sawyer of
Marlboro, and H. w. Purvis of Charleston.
The Convention reassembled at 6 P. NJ.
| The chairman of the committee made a
verbal report on the Penitentiary, which
was received as information. He reported
that he had had an interview with the Gov
ernor, and that he had said that he knew
that there had been abuses and he intended
to have them, and was now having them,
investigated.
The chairman of the committee on edu-
cation reported that the committee appoint
ed to wait on the superintendent Of educa-
tion were cordially received that the su-
perintendent said that the report fully en-
braces his views as to the educational inter-
est of the State, that he had intended to
50 report to the Legislature, and that he
would attend the National Colored Conven-
tion at Louisville in September next to per-
sonally urge upon that body to recommend
to Congress the passage of the educational
bill which is now before Congress, and that
the superintendents of education Of the va
rious States would meet there for that pur-
pose. The report was loudly applauded,
and on motion was received as information.
The report of the committee on resolu-
tiOns and address was then read.
THE ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.
We, the committee appointed by the Con
VentiOn on address and resolutions, beg
leave to report the following Fully recog
nizing the Importance of the purpose for
which we have come together and knowing
the allegiance we owe in common to our
country, can find no better opportunity of
presenting our grievances than in cOnven-
tion assembled, believing that the princi-
Piles of equal civil and political rights are
vital to the interest of good government,
and that they can only be enforced by the
carrying out of the principles engrafted by
our fathers in the organic law of our land as
set forth in the Bill of Rights of our Consti-
tuition. Recognizing only the common
brotherhood of men, we, as a race, are in
debted to the Republican party for free citi-
zenship and the partial enjoyment of the
rights thereto. We believe that the full en-
joyment of each and every right can be OBJ
tanned by the continuance in power of a par
ty whose aims aret protect all and prescribe
none. While acknowledging the benefits
received, we are compelled to indict the
Republican party for its omission in the
past six years, as far as it relates to its ad-
ministration in connection with our race.
We condemn the action of the National Re-
publican party in comforting every office of
honor, emolument or trust upon the white
men to the exclusion and detriment of our
race.
We wish the American people to under
stand and be informed that we are cursed
with the most damnable form of State Gov
ernment to which free people have ever
been subjected. BY legislation the right to
endowment of an honest vote and fair count
has been taken from us.
The right of fair trial by an impartial
Jury is denied US. The rights of our people
in the civil and criminal side of the Courts
are not protected. The verdicts of the juries
and the sentences of the Courts are deter
mined by the condition and color of the
parties accused of crime. The lynching of
our people for suspected offences has become
prevalant in this State, and its tendency
being to disorganize and disrupt communi-
ties, promote crime and place law and order
in unmeasured terms such fragrant and SO
far unpunished violations of law.
Our public school system is by no means
efficient. The schools are in operation but
few months during each year. Inefficient
teachers are largely employed for the sake
of cheapness, and they say on account OF
poverty, not being able to await payment,
are FREQUENTLY under the necessity of selling
their claims at discount. The best quail
fed teachers on account of their meagreness
of salaries and the shortness Of the session
of the schools, are forced to forsake the field
of instruction and follow other avocations.
The present system of hiring out and
working cOnvicts on any other than public
works we condemn. While we cannot de-
nv the power of the Legislature to enact
laws to the detriment of even convicts, yet
we would set upon them the seal of con-
demnation and ask the Legislature to wipe
out the iniquitous system at it's earliest ses-
sion. AS representatives of that race most
3ictimized by the avarice and greed ofheart-
less corporations and individuals, we thank
the press of the State for the unanimity with
which they have condemned and stigma
tized this inhuman and barbarous system.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Thomas E. Miller, H. w. Purvis,
A. G. Townsend, R:C. Browne,
f. j. Sawyer, VIM. j. Bowen,
r. L. Smith.
Tom Hamilton moved that the words
Republican party be stricken out. 1t was a
long time before his motion was seconded.
The platform was again read, when it was
attempted to rule out Hamilton and substi-
tute Whipper; but the Chair ruled that
Hamilton was legally constituted delegate
to the Convention.
Hamilton then proceeded with a long
speech to define his position and state why
he had made the motion.
A delegate here interrupted Hamilton and
said he ought not to be listened to, as he
had deserted the negro and should not be