The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16
THE LAW OF THE PARTY.
Constitution OF the Democratic Party
Of South Carolina as Adopted In
state Convention Columbia Sep.
tpmber 10. 1890


state Convention Columbia Sep.
tember 10, 1890.
ARTICLE /. There shall be one or more Democratic
clubs organized In each township ward, each OF
which clubs shall have President one or more Vice
Presidents, Recording md Corresponding Secre-
tary, and Treasurer, and shall have the following
working committees. OF not less than three members
each, viz: A committee on registration. execu-
tYe Committee, anil such other committees as to each
club may seem cNpedient.
ARTICLE II. The meetings of the clubs should be
frequent after the opening Of the Canvass and some
member Of the club or invited speaker deliver an
address Mt each meeting, II practicable.
ARTICLE III. The President shall have power to
call an extra meeting Of the club, and onefourth OF
the members shall constitute quorum for the trans
action of business.
ARTICLE w. The clubs In each County shall be
held together and operate under the control OF
County executive committee, which shall cunsst OF
une member from each club to bs nominated by the
respective clubs and elected by the County Conveli-
ton, but these powers tn the said executive commit
tees do not carry with them the powers to pass
upon the election Of members to the Crunty Con.
venton,O their qualification to sit as members for
this power belongs to the members OF the Convention
through the appointment and action of o committee
on credentials whose report shall be acted upon as
To the members OF the convention may seem proper
The executive committee. when elected. shall appoint
its officers and Hi all vacancies which may arise
when the convention is not in session. The tenue OF
orfice OF the executive committee shall be until the
first Monday In May Of each election year, at which
time the County Convention shall be called together
to eorganize the party Every Presidential election
year these County Conventions In May. shall elect
delegates to q State Convention called for the pur-
pose Of eecting delegates to the National Democratic
Convention, and to elect the members Of the National
Democratic Executive Committee from, this State
and such state Convention shall exercise no other
power. This State Convention shall be called by the
State Executive Committee to meet every Presiden-
tial election year on the third Wednesday in May
and the State Democratic Nominating, Convention
shall be called by the State Democratic Executive
Committee tc meet on Tho third Wednesday In Sep.
tember OF each election year.
AgTILEV. County Democratic Conventions shall
be composed Of delegates elected by the several local
clubs, one delegate for every twenty -Hvc members
and delegate for majority fraction thereof with
the right to each County Convention to enlarge or
diminish the representation according to circum-
stances. The County Conventions shall be called to-
gelher by the Chairman OF the respective Executive
Committees under such rules, not inconsistent with
this constitution, rs each County may apopt and
when assembled shall be called to order by the Chair
man Of the Executive Committee. and the COnven-
ton shall proceed to nominate and elect from among
Its members President, one moro Vice Pres-
dent. Secretary and Treasurer. The clubs reeog-
nized by the respective County Conventions which
sent delegates to the State Convention which met on
August 13 1890, shall be recognized as the only legal
clubs, provided however, that any County Conven-
tion may permit the formation Of a new club clubs
by two-thirds vote Of its members; provided,
futher that In all cities with o population OF FIVE
ward they shall be organized In obedience to this
Constitution the clubs elsewhere In this State
and organizing said clubs they shall have rePresen-
tatiDn in the County Conventions, respectively, as
said Conventions shall declare in accordance with the
prSvisi ons OF this Constitution.
ARTICLE vi. The state Nominating Convention
for the nomination of Governor Lieutenant Govern
or and other State officers In 1892 and thereafter and
for electors for President ani Vice Presdent in the
same year and every Presidential year thereafter,
sha be composed of delegates from each County, In
the numerical proportion to which such County, Is
entitled in both branches of the General Assembly
said delegates to be chosen by primary elections
to be held on the last Tuesday in August Of each
election yeur; the delegates elected to receive ms
orty of the votes cast. At this election only white
Democrats shall be allowed to vote. except that ne
groes who vnted for Gen. Hampton IN 1875 and who
have voted the Democratic ticket continuously con-
sttu,e the registry list and shall be open. to nspec
ton by any member OF the party, and the election
under this clause shall be held and regulated under
| the Act OF the Geneaal Assembly Of this State sp-
proved December %. 1883, and any subsequent Acts
Of the Legislature OF this State. Second primaries
when necessary shall be held two weeks later.
ARTICLE VII. The officers ofthe State Convention
shall be q President, one Vice President from each
Congressional District two Secretaries and Treas
urer.
ARTICLE VIII. The State Executive Committee
shall be composed ofone member from each County,
be selected by the respective delegations and elect
ed by the Convention. When elected said Executive
Committee shall choose Its own officers. shall meet at
tho call OI the chairman OF nny HVe memOeTS, anu
ut such time and places ms he or they may appoint.
The members of the NatOnsl Democratic Executive
Committee from South Carolina shall b. elected by the
May State Convention In 1892, and every four years
thereafter and when elected shall be ex oicio MEM
Der of the State Executive Committee. Vacancies on
said Executive Committee by death, resignation or
otherwise shall be filled by the respective County
Executive Committees. The State Executive Com
mttee Is charged with the execution and direction vi
the policy Of the party In the State subject to this
constitution, the principles declared In the platform
of principles and such instructions by resolutions
otherwise rs State Convention may from time to
time adOpt and shall continue In office for two years
from the time of election or until the assemblin OF
the State Nominating Convention which meets In
September OF each election year. II any vacancy
occur the State ticket or for Electors by death,
removal or other cause the Committee shall have the
power t. fill the vacancy by majority vote of the
| whole Committee.
ARTICLE TX. When the State Convention as
sembes It shall be called Tn order by the Chairman OF
the State Executive Committee. temporary
President shall be nominated and elected by the Con-
yention; and after its organization the Convention
shall proceed Immediately to the election OF per-
manent officers and to this transaction OF business.
| When the business has concluded 1t shall adjourn
| sine die.
ARTICLE Y. There shall be q primary election in
each Congressional District in the State on the last
Tuesday In August 1892. and every two years there
after to nominate candidates for Congress- to be con.
ductrd and managed as Is hereinbeiore provided in
the election of delegates to the State Convention
The vote to be received tabuSted and announced Dy
| the State Executive Committee to the Chairman, OF
whom the result Is to be transmitted by the respect
i i've County Chairmen by the first Tuesday In sep
teinber 1892. and every two years thereafter The
election for Solicitors of the different circuits shall
| be by primary subject to the same rules and reg
ulations, and to be announced in the same way as
before set forth for congressman.
| ARTICLE XII Before the election In 1S92, and each
election year thereafte', the State Democratic Ex-
ecuye Committee shall Issue call to oil candidates
for State offices to address the people Of the different
Counties of the State, fixing the dates Of the meet
tings and also inviting the candidates for Congress
md for Solicitor in their respective Districts aDd
Circuits to be present aGd address the people. AT
such meetings only the candidates above set forth
| shall be allowed to speak.
ARTICLE XII 1t shall be the duty Of each County
Executive Committee to appoint meetings In lheii
respective Counties to be addressed by the candidates
for the General Assembly and for the different County
offices all of whom including Trial Justices. shall be
elected by primary the last Tuesday In August oil
each election year under the same rules andreSulatons
hercinbefore provided.
AETfcLE XIII. Each County delegation to a
State Convention shall have power to fill any vacancy
therein.
AnrlcLE XIV This Constitution may be amended
and altered only by the State N"mnatng Convention
which meets in September feach election year.
| AETICLE XV. Amy County fa ing or refusing to
organize under the provisions of this Constitution
shall not have representation in the State Democratic
Convention.
chairman State Democratic Executive committee
G. DUNCAN BELLlNGEE, Secretary.