The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-18
REPUBLICAN COUNTY CON-
VENTION.
A Rich, Rare and Racy Row.
Many Psnts Of Order and Questions Of Priv
izege Much Information Desired
By the Delegates.

the Colored Investment Association on Liber-
ty Street and there was considerable speech
making Richardson, be it said, is one Of
the most active candidates for the nomina-
ton
When the delegates assembled in the Court
House all were ready for business and more
than ready to demand all the rights and priv
ileges that citizenship makes them heir to
Richardson, by virtue of bis of6c', took
charge and called for the roll Of delegates !;
and while this was being made up called for
the election of temporary chairman. Here the
fun began. S. T. Frierson, one of Richard
sons most Jealous adherents, was nominated,
a motion made to close the nominations, and
in tie face Of several attempts to make other
nominations, Richardson put the motion and
declared F.ierson elected, although the noes
greatly outnumbered the ayes. This threw
the whole house into an uproar, aud nothing
more vas done for some time There were
dozens attempting to get hearing, most of
them protesting in the plainest language
against the partisan, unfair, rascally. outra-
geous, parliamentary, &c, ruling of the
aforesaid Richardson. Richardson held fast
and pounded the desk without intermission,
but there was no order.
O6pt. D. auOtuel 1ol
Congress, protested against Richardson g rul-
ing, but it was no use.
j. C. Whitaker made motion to nominate
temporary chairman. He was ruled out of
order by Richardson, who held on to the
chair and announced that he had decided that
the temporary organization had been per-
fected. Turmoil and yells.)
z f. Walker got the floor. He condemned
80 much talk aud row s'The members of
the convention is the bosses of this meeting
and they should boss it.' ''They should
keep order aud see that outsiders keep order
also - "We must proceed intelligently, and
put out those who don't act intelligently.
Cap SILVER interrupted. 81 want TO know
if the chairman is acting fair and square with
u.s." Answered by Walker: II don't re-
cognize anyone as chairman ''Richardson
has prevented the meeting from being called
to order, aud has not done his duty
W. w. Ramsey took the floor aud said
that if there was ever time that he was dis
gus,ed with the proceedings of meeting
from the commencement to the end, this was
the qime He believe in conducting meeting
in an orderly manner and according to law
and decency 81 am member Of this con-
vention and stand here to support Republi-
can candidate Richardson-''For what pur-
pose does the gentleman rse?" Row and
disorder.) W. J. Audrews-"Did you ever
see convention that assembled to do the will
of the people?" Aust have seen such,
butuot this one" (Slore disorder, and
bakers dozen or more attempts to make
speeches.
Richardson takes control again oy main
force of lung power, and reads his lists of
delegates to Congressional convention.
Motion made and seconded that nominations
close-carried. Question of election put by
acclama1ion, and declared carried amidst a
war of protests. Meeting declared adjourned
by Richardson, who hastily left the Court
House, followed by his crowd. More dis
order, speeches and general confasion.)
Then there was lull in the storm and
something like quite was obtained Z. E.
Walker took charge, and bad started to make
some remark, when regular pandemonium
broke loose around the secretary's table. S.
T. Frierson, Richardson's attempted tenn
porary chairman, had returned and seized the
roll of delegates and was tearing it 70 tatters
before anyone knew what was up. When the
crowd realized what was going on they grab
bed him on every side They fought and
pulled and struggled to get the roll from him.
The police rushed in and took hand in the
incipien, riot Chars were overturned and it
looked like the convention of the G. O.<P. of
Sumter County would wind up 10 free fight
and the delegates land in the guard house.
Chief Bradfard aud Assistant Weeks were
equal TO the emergency, and with the assist
auce of some of the more quiet delegates
rescued the roll, or rather what was left of it,
l.t ~
Il. E. Walker again takes charge, and au-
nounced that be did so as County chairman,
the Congressional chairman having aban-
doned the position. The committeeman re-
tired 10 the juryroom to make up the roll of
delegates. In the interval several high flown
speeches concerning the Republican party, the
negro race and rascally cbairmen were made.
When the roll was completed 56 delegates
answered to their names.
NJ. D. Wheeler and r. C. Wessberry took
the floor. Wessberry was recognized, but
before he could begin his speech Wheeler took
the floor on a question Of privilege. HIS
question was ''1 want to know why Mr..
Wessberry was recognized p Chairman:
s'Take your seat, and if you don't behave
we'll nave you put out" Waeeler: "Well
want satisfaction and must get it. | am
delegate to this convention and have as much
right on the floor as anybody, and you can't
run no bull over me"
During this Wessberry was going enthusi-
astcally forward with his speech, and when
he concluded, q. E. Walker was elected tenn
porary chairman, and ]. C. Whitaker, secre-
tary. Wheeer was constantly on the floor
demanding recognition on questions Of privi-
lege, information and correction. When the
organization had been made permanent,
Walker proceeded to read the riot act for
Wheeler's benefit. He told him he must treat
the convention with respect or be put out of
the door. Wheeler could not be intimidated,
however, and insisted on hayiag his rights as
delegate respected.
Committee on Credentials reported favor
ably on all delegates except Spring Hill. and
for this delegation recommended that both
regular and con,estiug delegation be seated on
half votes.
W. W. Ramsey moved that the chairman
appoint committee to nominate delegates