The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-26
THE WAGE WORKERS LEAGUE
Nineteen Counties Out Of Thirty-Five Rep-
resented by Delegations Of Various
Sizes at the Meeting Of the
State Convention in
.-~ Columbia.
fSneefal TO News and Courier. ]

COLUMBIA, April IJ.-IEe HaSe
Workers Industrial League which met
here tonight marks an entirely new
and distinct movement in Democratic
politics of South Carolina. 1t has
started out on healthy and suostan-
tiar basis, if the Convention is to be
taken as a fair basis. There were one
hundred and eighty-three delegates
present, representing nineteen counties.
They came from all classes and Foca-
tions. Some were farmers, many LABOR
ers, few clerks, others merchants,
brt all interested in the success OF q
thoroughly Democratic idea to secure
more equitable class laws for the State.
The organization has unfurled clean
and Iegible banner and wanted it dis
tinctly understood that it is not fight
ing any one or any set Of men. 1t Is
simply looking for the Improvement OF
the State, and does not seek or hope
for the preferment of any candidate or
candidates, for it has none. The Con-
vention presented a gratifying absence
of the usual cut and dried proceedings.
If there were any of the alleged old
politicians present, they failed utterly
to take any part in the proceedings.
Things were at times perhaps bit
crude, but they we're honest. The
genuine laborer had for once a say.
There was no prearranged suggestion
for solitary officer named at any time
during the evening. Everyone recog-
rized the fact that the wage workers
have but one object, and that there
was no use to quibbie about minor de-
tails. The men at the head OF the
movement are unknown factors in pol
isics, and the success they make OF the
work they have in, charge remains to
be seen.
The happiest feature of the session
was the address of r. &. Ward, Of
Charleston, which was heartily re-
ceived: From the tone of the MEM
bers present there does not seem to be
much doubt that the wage workers
contagion will spread, and rapidly TOO,
although there will be no>special effort
made just now. The Convention may
be, however, called at the pleasure of
Chairman Platt.
Mr. F. c.. Caughman requests the
publication of this statement: 81 de-
sire to say that when I was called upon
sip the Wage Workers Convention to-
before Fniauent Organization
was perfected, to address the body as
SsemIied, T proceeded to dose, and as !
was covering the field some one, not
familiar with parliamentary rules,
called me to order, and it was sustained
by the temporary chairman and
yielded to the Chair and ceased to
speak. do not think the chairman
did it with any intention to do ME
wrong"
The Wage Workers Convention was
called to ord r at $50 o'clock by Mr..
J.R. Rideout, of Richland, in the ab-
sence of Mr.. Henry A. Williams, who
was detained. Mr.. Rideout called for
nominations for 3 temporary chairman.
A Charleston delegate arose and said
that all reporters ought to be excluded
from the ball.
Mr. Brawley, of Chester, said he
wanted it distinctly understood that
"the meeting is open to all parties and,
of course, it is an open matter and is
for an open purpose. We are willing
for any body to be present. We are not
fighting. We want no closed doors.
We want nothing secret. We want
everyone to see and hear what we do"
Greerville seconded the motion Of
Mr.. Brawley to have the doors kept
open. The opposition had by this time
died out ana Mr.. Brawley's motion
was carried.
The nomination Of a temporary
chairman was then before the House.
Mr.. H. A. 81. Gibson, Of Oconee, a
farmer, was nominated to that position.
There being no other nominations he
was unanimously elected.
Upon taking charge of the Conven-
ton Mr.. Gibson said:
''FelIow citizens, / desire to thank
you for this very unexpected pleasure,
which you have conferred upon me in
placing me in the chair as temporary
chairman of this Convention. AS we
have but a short time to transact busi-
ness shall desist from further remarks
on the present occasion and will now
announce the Convention ready to pro-
ceed to business" .-s.'..
Mr.. w. A. Corder, of Chester, was
elected secretary and Wade Robinson,
assistant secretary. The preparation
of the roll consumed considerable time.
It is an interesting study and shows
what new factions have entered politics
in this State. The roll is as follows:
ROLL OF DELEGATES.
Abbeville-L. H. Russell, A. R. Sv-
fan, w. W. Marshall, L. V. Young, T.
T.. Douglass. B. P. Hughes, W. P.
Beard, G. w. Milford, T. c. Seal. w.
F. Beard, John Chalmers. J. L. Bur-
nett, J. Il. McGill, F. A. Spellman, J.
{. Ellis, S. NJ. Williams.
Union-R. A. Whitlock. w. H. S.
Harris, r. w. Hamilton. c. R. Long.
W. S. Fowler, J. F. Fowler, J. w.
Scott.
Anderson-J. F. Evans, r. NJ. Rus
sell. S. w. Anderson, R. A. Sloan, NJ.
VI. Lander. B. D. Dean.
Aiken-E. J. Johnson, E. II. Stoth-
art, A. J. Jones, w. A. Edwards, w.
A. Giles. John 4. Coursey, 3. w.