The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-06
asking for q new club and they are


here "a Democrats.
Delegate Sigh said he wanted to
vote iute!!igeutly. He was member
Of the executive committee, but mem
bers of the committee, in voting for q
call for the convention, had expressed
no opinion at all. He was not express
ing his views as to how he would vote.
He wanted to ask Mr.. Hunter some
questions.
At this juncture Delegate J. L. keitt
asked that the name Of y. {. Thon-
ason be substituted for his, as h had TO
90 away on the train, and il was done
amid an outburst Of applause.
Mr.. Cromer's motion was Withdrawn
and a motion was adopted permitting
each faction from st. Luke's to submit
their case to the convention, and Mr..
Cromer then renewed his motion that
the petition be granted.
Delegate Sigh said that when the
committee adopted the resolution call
ing the convention it was the under
standing that these gentlemen would
appear before the convention.
Delegate Caldwell said it WAS his un-
derstauding that the convention would
do as it pleased.
Delegate Sigh resuming said he
wanted to ask Mr.. Hunter some ques-
tions. u Did these 53 men originally
belong to st. Luke's club and become
dissatisfied? (2l DO these 80 men live
in that Immediate community: k")
Where does this club pT"p'se to hoid
its meetings? ~ DO any OF these men
live near any clubs already in existence?
| want to see if there is any necessity
for this club. The constitution is very
guarded on this point and it is not only
for Newberiy County, but for the whole
State. Two years ago there was
fearful break from our ranks and 1t IS
lust all we can do now to keep the par
" together. If we encourage every
little faction in the county the Demo-
cratic party will go to pieces. Many OF
these men are good Democrats and
good Tillman men. | want to get the
facts, aud then | will know how 10
vote.
Mr.. r. T. E.. Hunter then made 4
statement for the petitioners. lie SAID
he was very sorry that there had been
any objection to this petition. We
don't want any new club unless there
is good and sufficient reason shown
for it. Two Years ago was president
of the club and was asked bya member
to call the club together for the reason
that at caucus held at NeWberrry 1t
was determined to have club vote to
put out 8 legislative ticket. | was not
subject to any caucus and did not think
this club primary was Democratic and
at first refused to call the club together.
But believing as | did that 1T that tine
a majority OF the members favored the
club primary, i afterwards decided TO
call the club together and did so, but
would not remain and participate III the
election and called the vice president TO
tie chair and resigned DIS PRESIDENT.
The chairman OF the Executive Conn
mittee also resigned and Withdrew from
the club. / felt that this business did
not belong to a Democratic club. Any
who go desire may go into 4 caucus, but
it WAS not the business OF Democratic
club.
AS to the differences this year Mr..
Hunter read from the statement ot
facts" published some time ago by the
gentlemen now desiring the club,as set
ting forth clearly their side OF tie
case.
Mir. Hunter said that he felt that the
granting Of this petition would conduce
to harmony and peace among the DEM
ocrats of st. Luhe's, but he wanted to
say for himself and every se tlcElan
whose name IL signed to the petition
that they were good and true Demo
Gratis and even if the convention refused
the petition they would bow gracefully
to that mandate.
Mr.. n. r. Lester also made 2 state
ment. He said two years ago he was
secretary of the club and opposed the
preliminary primary and the effort to
bind the minority has been the cause Of
the trouble.
Mr.. A. L. ?. Bedenbaugh said that
the majority should rule. We had no
opposition to any members meeting and
having vote if they desired, but we did
not want the vote in the club to bind
the minority.
Delegate l.. p. Miller: "Ifthings con-
tinue as they are it is difficult to tell
where South Carolina will land. 10
understand this question, lei us go back
to the origin of these clubs. They were
instituted in no mans interest, but IN
the interest Of the Democratic party.
Go back to that time and let fifty white
citizens ask for the formation OF a
new club and there would he no cues
ton. We would say, why, yes, brcth-
rem 90 and organize your club. Let us
do that way to-day"
Delegate 4. +. ?. BedenbaIgh: ut is
stated he'e that said that those who
did rot vote would be bound by the
action Of the majority. | will read you
our statement" He then read the state
ment Of facts as published last week.
Several questions were asked Mr.. Be
denbaugh us to what be did say, but
he stuck to his published statement OF
facts and answered by that.
Delegate Hair said he knew nothing
of what was done in 1880. When we
met to organize this year Mr.. Hunter
asked if members would be bound by
the preliminary primary. | did not
think that a Democratic club had
right to bind. Nothing was said about
these gentlemen in the club. When
we met to hold our caucus some one
said that those opposed to Tillman were
in the majority and while they were
signing the roll, anu before they fin
ished, | moved that we adjurn to meet
next Saturday because the antis We're
in the majority, and the motion pre-
vailed.
President Nichols was called on for
a statement for his ruling. He said he
ruled they bad a right to join the club
but there was no secretary present.
He ruled they were bound only by the
constitution of the party.
Delegate Cromer then spoke clo-
Quently and strongly for the petition.
He said, think OF 53 Democrats coming
up here and asking, what? Just the
privilege OF forming new club. No
more conventions to be held, and chair
man Irby says they VIII be allowed to
vote, and what l.. TO DC gained hy re-
fusing them.
Delegate Hair: "IS the ruling o; Irhy
final on that poiHt?:'
Delegate Cronurr: "Ihen i! that cues
ton is going 10 he made stand her"