The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-10-02

not agree on the contested cases before
morning. The convention then adj
Journed to q. III.
Second Day. ...
COLUMBIA, S. c., September 24.-
The Republican Convention assembled
at O'Clock a. m, but the Committee
on Credentials still boing unable to
report, an adjournmont until 2 O'Clock
was taken. AT. chat time another re-
cess was taken until O'Clock, when
the committee came in and submitted
its report in the contested cases. The
committee recommended the seating Of
the regular delegates from AbScville,
Richland and Colleton, and the report
was adopted without discussion. In
the Charleston case the majority re-
ported in favor of seating both dclcga-
tons, giving half vote to each dele
gate. a minority recommended the
seating Of the delegation headed by
Postmaster Taft. In the Sumter case
the report recommended the seating of
the delegation headed by Richardson.
Freeman, of the Taft Charleston dele
CATION, took the floor to advocate the
adoption of the minority report. lie
began by explaining the manner of the
election in Charleston and got along
easily until the opposing delegates be-
gan to put questions to him. He an
swercd very promptly for awhile, until
becoming excited, he charged political
rascality upon II. l.. Smith, the color
editor of the Palmetto Press. Smith
was one of the opposition, and attcmp-
ted to interrupt tho speaker. Another
delegate interrupted Smith, and then
followed scene only witnessed in
Republican conventions and at negro
minstrel shows. Coats were thrown
OIL, onths were freely indulgcd in and
Tor some moments an old-fashioncd
knock down and drag out appeared
imminent. After considerable effort
quiet was restored and Freeman con-
cludcd. Smith followed. lie Droduc-
ed numerous aflidavits to prove that
Iafts crowd had stuffed tho ballot
boxes ard thus defeated the will of the
Republican voters of Charleston coun-
ty, and he appealed to the convention
not to endorse such infamous practices
by seating the delegation. Taft took
the floor, he said, not only to put him
sclt right personally, but, as county
chairman, to defend the Republican
party, which had been bcsmirched
worse by these men than had ever been
done by the Democrats. lie went on
then to show the clean record of his
party under him rs chairman, and con-
ended with an appeal to the Conyen-
ton to seat his delegation.
AT the conclusion of Tatrs speech.
Miller, of Beaufort, presented an invi-
tatlon to tho convention to attend the
memorial services in honor of II. B.
Elliott, and moved an adjournment of
one hour and half for the purpose of
allowing the members of the Convcn-
ton to attend tho services. The
motion was almost unanimously de-
1catcd. pinckncy, a coal black dar-
key, answered Taft and produced cvi-
dcncc TO prove the charge against the
Taft crowd. lie was followed by Nc
Kinlay, of Charleston. and Paris Sim
kins, of Edgciicld, as Chairman Of the
Committee on Credentials, closed the
debate. The vote was taken on the
minority report seating the Taft dcic-
CATION. The report was rejected b, q
vote Of III to 48. Taft arose and said
that, as an honorable Republican, he
could not accept the majority report,
giving each Of the delegations half
vote, and he would withdraw; You
may take your packed convention,
with the revenue ring. "You up-coun-
try people may take it and run it to
suit yourselves; we have the votes on
the coast and we are the party: we
leave you to run it as you please )"
Then followed scene Of the Widest
confusion. Motions to adjourn were
made, delegates collarcd each other
and cndcavOrcd TO talk each other
hour, when quiet was comparatively
restored. Freeman, another Charles
ton delegate, stated that the party had
dcgencratcd into mob and he must
withdraw. Points of order were made
and delegates in all parts of the hall
arose to privileged questions. McKin-
ley finally obtained the floor. Whip
per ruled him out Of order. lie said
he would speak, anyhow. The pro.
ceedings here, he said, were disgrace
tul to the National Republican party
In the midst Of the greatest excitement
and the unrcmitting hammering of the
Chairman, Mckinley continued, de-
nouncing the members Of the cOnvcn-
ton, and concluding by withdrawing
from the convention. While the con-
fusion was its highest, Smalls rose to q
parliamentary question, and after NOV
ing the indefinite postponcmcnt of the
majority report, subsidized. Purvis, of
Charleston, rose to II privileged uucs-
ton. After culogizing the grand old
party, he said he was told that this
convention denounced Bill Taft as q
Dailot-boX stuilcr, and he would not
submit to it, and withdrew. Thom-
son, a colorcd delegate from Berkeley,
tried to speak, but Whippcr kept up Il
constant hammering and advising the
delegates to be seated. Thompson
said he intended to talk, and the
Chairman might as well understand it.
Miller asked if the question before the
house was not the majority report.
The Chairman assured him that it was.
Miller proceeded to protest against the
action about to be taken by the con-
Vention. lie reviewed all the evil
dcnce before the convention, and went
of on long TRADE against the revenue
ring. lie gave glimpse into the past,
and said that Chamberlain corrupted
and ruiued tho Ronublican MARTY on6