Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-10-02
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The Convention was called to order at
$50 A. NJ, on Wednesday morning-W. j.
Whipper in the chair.
PRAYER was offered by Rev. Dan. L. With
erspoOn, colored, of York. He asked for the
guidance of Providence, as his people were
like the children of Israel, wandering from
place to place, without a resting place for
their weary heads. "Our people are op-
pressed, and we beg deliverance at the
hands of the Lord. May the news that
shall follow this convention be that there is
peace and prosperity yet in the future for
US down-trodden people of Gods great race
of mankind"
The convention then relapsed into a state
of languidness, some of them enjoying the
fragrance of tWo-for-a-nickle cheroots, 9TH
ers talking about the crops, some wondering
when the Committee on Credentials would
report, others not caring cuss how long the
report was postponed, and few Of them
typifying the ,er failing tendency Of the
negro to take Lap, and all of them Wearlly
exercising their patience.
At 1920 p. M. Donaldson, Of Greenville,
moved for committee of three to inquire
when the Committee on Credentials would
be ready to report, which was carried.
The committee Of three returned at 1870
and reported that the Committee on Gre
dentials would not be ready to report under
an hour or an hour and half.
The Convention then took recess until
o'clock p. NJ.
At 23O p. NJ, Whipper called the Con-
vention to order, when Smalls moved that
committee of three be appointed to ascer-
tain the time when the Committee on Gre
dentials will report, which was agreed to,
and the committee discharged that duty,
the result being that the Committee on
Credentials were not ready.
On motion of Smalls, recess was taken
until p. M.
At 4.O5 p. NJ, the Convention was again
called to order, and Paris Simklns, chair
man of the committee on credentials, pre-
sented the report of the committee. The
report recommended unanimously that the
delegation from Colleton headed by Myers,
the delegation from BarnWell headed by
Nix, the delegation from Abbeville headed
by Titus and the delegation from Richland
headed by Curtis, be seated. AS to Sumter
the majority of the committee recommend
ed that the Sumter delegation headed by
HeWsOn be seated and as to Charleston
that both delegations be seated with half
votes. A minority report was presented,
signed by five of the committee. 1t re-
commended that the Sumter delegation
headed by Richardson and the Charleston
delegation headed by Taft be seated.
Brayton moved the adoption of the ma
jority report except that portion relative to
Sumter and Charleston.
The contested counties were then called,
and on motion of Deas, the report seating
the Nix delegation from BarnWell was
unanimously adopted.
When Richland was called no one ap-
peared to speak for the contestants, and on
motion of Deas the committees report was
adopted and the Curtis delegation was
seated.
Charleston came next. Miller moved the
adoption of the minority report recon-
mending the seating Of the Taft delegation.
Deas moved to table the motion. Miller !:
We won't stand that. Myers moved to sub
stitute the majority report. Freeman be-
gan to argue the question from the Taft
side. The Chair raised an objection to the
argument on the merits of the case as not
warranted by the motion. On this ruling
there was fearful tangle of parliamentary
declarations. At last Myers withdrew his
motion. On the question of adopting the
minority report Freeman resumed his dis
course. He entered upon minute discus
sion of the returns and the situation in
Charleston. His remarks were only pun
gent in the following instances: Grant, the
head of the anti-Taft # delegation, denied one
of Freeman's statements. Freeman rejoin-
ed: "You're at liberty to deny anything.
These things tower above anything like
YOU" He went on to say that the Grant
Convention had been held in a gambling
hell and that Major Noah had been put on
the Grant ticket only to secure his influence
in the up-country. When he made a state
ment regarding some action of Shrews-
bury's, Shrewsbury asked him if he asserted
that as a fact. Freeman: eyes, l do, and
can bring witnesses here to proveit." 81
pronounce that q falshoOd," }" rejOined ShreWs-
bury.
Presently when Freeman attacked Grant
again, r. l.. Smith, editor of the Palmetto
Press, a colored organ of Charleston, pro,
pounded to him a question. He said: Ibid
you ever know Grant to play in the negro
minstrels, burlesquing the Republican party
of South Carolina?"
Freeman "No, l know what you mean."
Smith, hotly: "No, he never descended
so low as that" (Applause).
! Freeman proceeded to explain, with many
| emotional gestures, that he had been unable
to obtain employment because he was Re
publican, and was induced by the fear of his
| tamily's starving to take position as min
strel at S15 week. He had a sweet voice
! and sang two hours. Then he proceeded to
charge Smith with betraying the Republi-
can party in Berkeley. Smith went he
said, to Haut Gap box and got written atfi-
davits and carried them to the Democratic
chairman, to help the Democrats steal the
vote of Berkeley. [Great applause and con-
| fusion. Smith advanced and shook his fin
| ger in Freeman's face. Freeman moved
about indifferently.
R. C. Brown, colored, of Charleston, a
Taft adherent, told Smith he could whip
him. Smith rushed at him, but was caught
by Miller and others. He struggled vio-
lently. and in moment the hall was in a
tumult. Smith, who has but one arm, was
prevented from attacking Brown. 1t was