The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-08-11
The STATE CONVENTION.
A GOOD TICKET PUT IN THE FIELD,
Abbeyille County Is HTonored by the
Election of James HI. Rice Super
intendent of Education.
Se,pS and Courier.


COLUMBIA, August 4, 1886.
AS the last stroke of the hour OF twelve
rang out from the pretty little cupola that or
nanents the pretty little Opera House at the
of the State Democratic Executive Commit
tee ascended the stage of the Opera House
and called the State Democratic Convention
of 1886 to order. The house was taxed 10 ltS
utmost capacity TO hold the crowd that had
assembled within It's walls. The parquette
and orchestra seats were reserved FOR the del-
eSates, who just about filled all the seats,
while the .sovereiens were accommodated
with seats in the second tier. The private
boxes were reserved for the ladies' limited
number of whom only could be acconpod;lt-
ed with seats.
The arrangements were in the hands OF Mr.
J. d. Brown, the veteran sergeant at arms OF
the House OF Representatives ana we're as
complete and perfect rs could be expected
with the limited space and resources at his
Command. The seats of the delegates were
designated by small American flags bearing
the names OF the various counties. Admission
TO tho hall was had by means OF tickets issued
ty the sergeant-at-arnis, the number being
limited toabout FIVE hundred, including the
three hundred or more delegates.
The desk Of the chairman and secretaries
were placed upon the stage, while the mem.
berS OF the press, who were present IN large
sauspbers, were provided with tables TO the
right and left OF the chair and near the wings.
Col. j. @. Marshall. secretary OF the state COM
mitiee, had u desk Oh the LEFT of the chair.
After requesting the delegates TO be seated
Zen. 3ZlSr directed the secretary 10 rttul tue
call OF the State committee under which the
Convent ton met Cen IZlar then said:
"By virtue Of the authority granted me by
the Constitution of the Democratic party, l
nominate as temporary chairman OF this Con-
ventiou Gen. johnson Hagood, OF Barnwell
county" (Applause.)
Gen. Hagood was unanimously elected, and
as he aScended the platform leading To the
stage, escorted by the scrseant-at-arms, was
received with another round of applause. On
t.eing introduced by Gen. lzlar, Gen. Hagood
said:
II beg to thank you, gentlemen OF the Con-
ventlon. for the honor yor have conferred up
on me by making me your temporary chair
man, aud, as your time Is short and your ses-
sion important, l shall not detain you, but
will proceed at once 10 the work OF permanent
organization"
The roll of counties was then called, and the
credentials of the delegates handed up 10 the
secretary by the chairmen of the respective
delegations.
The secretary was then directed to call the
roll, but was interrupted by Mr.. II. ID. Lee OF
Sumter, who complained that the members Of
Ia Sumter delegation were not provided with
seats
Mr.. Thompson, Of Oconee. said that the Oco-
nee delegation laborcd under similar dSad-
vantage, and Mr.. w. X. Kelly, of Barnwell,
advised that the roll Of counties be called and
the delegations seated III turn. This couese
was adopted, and after considerable merry
and gootlnatured scrouging and persistent
and intelligent engineering on the part OF the
srrgsan t-at-arms, the delegates were wedged
into their places and the calling OF the roll OF
delegates followed.