The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-06
equality with man.

equality with man.
Mr.. Rogers moved to lay the amend
ment on the table, but withdrew to al
low Col. John T. Sloan to speak. Col
Sloan spoke from the centre aisle, ano
with much energy. He opposed mos
earnestly the granting of the suffrage
to women. He was frequently inter
rupted by Mr.. Clayton, and the word
play between the two gentlemen was
very sprightly.
GENERAL HEMPHILL.
Gen. R. R. Remphill then took the
floor, and stated that the gentleman
who preceded him INDUCED in voci.
feration and not in argument. He had
taken up the cause of woman years
ago. The more he thought of it the
more he was convinced that it was
right and the only solution of the ques,
ton of suffrage. 1t did not follow
that woman had to be policeman,
if she was given the voting privilege.
He never expected to see any more
war in South Carolina. There was no
purpose to encourage war. We stand
thus. It has been charged that South
Carolina had practiced fraud. fthere
had been any fraud in this county he
did not know it. But if there was
fraud, give the ballot to the women
and that would settle the matter. All
the plans suggested did not seem to
solve it. They should remove this re-
Election on the great State of South
Carolina. You propose to restrict the
suffrage of men. We went back into
the Union taking the obligation that
no class should ever have its privileges
or immunities abridged or denied.
Now all admitted what the United
States Constitution and amendments
said of the subject.
How are you going to comply with
all this2 Why, give the franchise to
woman with a property qualification.
There is the solution of the question
before the people of South Carolina.
This enlarges the suffrage and you can
equality it. His friend had said that
God never intended that woman should
be on an equality with men. 1t may
be on theidea that women are not
paid for the work. He mentioned
several South Carolina women who
nearly 80 years ago demanded this
right of suffrage. They were demand
ing it now. They have their represen-
tatives here. They tell you the wo'
men will not 60 to the polls. The
women of South Carolina had never
failed to do their duty. The good wo'
men and men can vote on one day,
the bad men the next.
A voice-What about the bad wo-
men2
Gen Hemphill-And the bad women
will not come out at all.
No women would ever be insulted
in this State at the polls or elsewhere.
Up to 1868 the women had no rights
that the law was bound to respect.
Now a married woman has the right
to hold her separate property and dis
pose of it as she may wish. Why not
give the women a fair and equal
chance2 Give the women a
full chance. This will make
South Carolina once more the
leading State in the Union. Dis
appoint those who think we are
going to settle this matter by fraud.
With the educational qualification the
matter will be settled.
In 1880 there were 72, 900 white men
over 81 years of age who could read
and write. There were Il, 200 who
could not, making total OF 86,2OO
white men. There were 25,87O ne.
groes who could read and write and
Sc, ,O1O who could not, total OF 11S, ,oS9
negroes.
There were 75, 600 white women who
could read and write and $4,000 color,
ed women in like condition. .
The educated white majority with
the women added was 81, 900.
In 1890 there wasa majority OF 80, 29O
negro men over the white men. He
then cited the figures as to males and
females in Laurens county. In Rich
land there were 592 white women who
would be qualified against lis negro
women.
Women now take positions as book
keeps, clerks, stenographers and they
are thrown thus publicly with men.
Have they been insulted9 No. They
will elevate our country IN all re-
spects. He would not fatigue the pa
tience" of this convention.
Mr.. Rogers stated that suffrage was
duty to be imposed. He wanted to
know if General Hemphill believed
that any considerable portion-half OF
them, say-want them to put this bur-
den on their shoulders.
General Hemphil said that they
wanted it; that was all. They would
do their duty.
Mr.. Prince wanted to know if the
qualification he gave would not be
merely bringing about temporary re-
lief.
General Hemphill stated that he did
not intend to abridge any ones privi-
leges nor could it be done by law.
MR.. HENDERSON.
Mr.. D. S. Henderson then took the
floor. He would detain them only a
few moments. He said no matter what
the female suffragists may say in the
way of argument, the argument made
here tonight shows that the scheme is
founded upon pure cowardice. Would
you try to solve the suffrage problem
in this way2 Let US follow this mat
ter like men. The idea of saying to
the world that the negroes were so
numerous that we had to drag the wo-
men in the State before us to protect
us is pitiful. Before we do that, let us
do away with the excellent report of
the committee, 60 back, get our shot
guns and stand by the polls, and not,
in the name of heaven, drag our wo-