The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-08
THE COUNTY CONVENTION.
Not Even Organized
Good Feeling and Good Order, Howeuer,
PreraiI.
The Club Rolls to be Drastically
Purged.

No Tombstone Delegates to be Permitted
Must Belong to One Club 0nly-TAey
Must Restrain Their Mormonistic
lnclinations in Regard to
Club Membership.
The delegates who attended the County
Convention on Monday did so at the expense
of great personal Inconvenience, and ooly
after unusual difficulties had been overcome
Several OF them actually waded across
streams, where the bridges bad been washed
away leaving nothing but the sieepers. and
walked Eve and six miles to meet with the
Convention. Others drove twenty-five to
thirty milea TO 6nd place to cross the
swamps The ordinary branches we're im-
passabls torrents, aud nearly all of the
bridges were washed away, or dangerous.
Hence, when all things are considered, it is
remarkable that 80 many delegates were
present when the Convention was called to
order soon after IL O'Clock.
Chairman Keels Of the County Executive
Committee called the Convention to order
aud read the call under which the Convention
had assembled. he announced that the roll
of clubs would 6rst be called, the delegates
elected by the several clubs enrolled, and that
all protests and contests must be entered
when the name of the club was called.
Mr. H. R. Thomas Immediately moved that
the Convention adjourn, on account OF the
absence of many delegates number Of
clubs having no representatives present. He
thought it advisable, however, before ad-
iournmeot that committee on credentials be
appointed to investigate the club rolls. To
make practicable this investigation all clubs
would be contested. In this way no club
would be Disseminated against, and no club
or faction could honestly object to An honest
Investigation.
Nj. W. H. Commander objected to adjourn
men,, on account of absence of some of the
delegates The delegates present had come
With difficulty, and it would be a hardship to
require them to come to another convention.
Col. J. A. Rhame spoke in favor of the pro-
posed investigations of club rolls; but said
that he could not favor the motion as sug-
gested by Nr. Thomas. We all, be said, want
fair aDd clean rolls. We want none but live
men and those who are, aud have been known
as Democrats, on these club rolls 1t is
Stated on good authority that some club rolls
have the names of men who do not know that
their names are on the roll of these clubs.
The managers of said clubs have deliberately
placed the names of men on their rolls with
out authority, saying that they have as much
right to them as any club, and if the men
belong to other clubs and do not want their
names on said club rolls they should notify
TIE secretary of the club, as provided in the
resolution of the Executive Committee. Such
clubs need investigation and their rolls
require purging He moved that the Conven-
ton adjourn AS sooL as practicable after the
necessary business had been transacted.
Col R. D. Lee, made the point that the
Convention had very little to do. Under the
primary system the Conven tion has been
shorn of most of its duties and powers. The
Primary is supreme, all questions are settled
directly by the voters through it. Let US
have an understanding in advance what is to
be done. Have the clubs called, the delegates
enrolled, then confirm the election of the
members of the Executive Committe-which is
the only duty of this convention-and ad-
jouru and go home. The primary will settle
all matters nnder dispute, and the enrolment
of the various clubs can have no effect.
The club membership can effect nothing
beyond the membership Of the convention.
Besides this convention has neither the right
nor power to reject the members of the Execu-
tive Committee elected by the clubs. Col.
Lee also drew attention to the fact that a
motion to adjourn Was net in order as the
Convention had not been organized.
Mr.. n. r. Thomas said that his faction
would meet the other side 10 the same spirit
as proposed He preferred Lot to organize
the Convention, but to confirm the Executive
Committee as matters stood. There was no
ground for friction, except the belief that the
club rolls are too large. do not charge that
your side has all the excess, we have some Of
i, ourselves, aud all we want is for both sides
to get down to actual membership.
Maj. Marion Noise was of the opinion that
the Executive Committee must be confirmed
by the Convention.
Chairman Keels ruled that the Convention
had nothing to do With the Executive Com
mittee. The clubs elect and that settled the
matter.
Mr. T. w. Lee desired committee on Gre
dentials He knew that the club membership
was entirely too large There are not 80 many
democratic voters in Sumter County as the del
egates here represent. The club rolls need sift-
eb boo