The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-09-17

ed the convention on the stump, an
had fought for it from first 90 last.
Congressman Talbert said that b.
desired on the part of the Edgefiel
delegation, to second the nomination
of Gov. Evans, who WAS eminenti
fitted to discharge the duties of presid
ing officer. j. Walter Gray, OF Green
vile, also seconded the nomination..
On motion of MIR. McCown, @
Florence, it was decided to elect tn
president by reclamation. A risini
vote was taken, and every one so IA
as could be seen stood up save tn,
colored delegates. When the call wa
made for those opposed to Gov. Evans
election to stand, the famed ole
"Gullah Statesman" Robert Smalls
slowly rose in his seat and stood look
ing unconcernedly around him for {
few moments, much To the amusement
Of the delegates and the spectators
Evans was declared elected with 6
single exception unanimously.
A committee OF three, consisting o.
Congressman Talbert, Speaker Jones
and Mr.. A. III. Patterson, was appoint
ed to acquaint Gov. Evans with his
The convention proceeded with the
permanent organization. Stanyarne
Wilson nominated w. Jasper Talbert
and Ira b. Jones for vice presidents,
and they were unanimously elected.
Mr.. Wharton nominated S. w.
Vance, of Laurens, for clerk, and he
was elected by acclamation. Mr.. N.
III. Stansell, of Barnwell, was chosen
sergeant-at-arms.
The special committee to escort
Governor Evans, the newly elected
president Of the convention, returned
at this time, and the convention rose
to receive the president.
GOV. EVANS ADDRESS.
In assuming the chait, Gov. Evans
made an address, In which he outlined
some changes that he thought would
be wise in our government. He spoke
substantially as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: I
thank you for the honor conferred upon
me by electing me to preside over
your deliberations. Under the diff
ferent forms Of government, q munar-
chical, despotic and republican, you re-
present here today the sovereign power
Of the republic. To be called upon,
then, to preside over the sovereignty
of South Carolina is indeed an honor of
which any man can feel proud. shall
not review the past history of our con-
ventions. That has already been ably
done by our temporary chairman. It
only sutfices for me to say that this is
the first time in tho history Of your
represented directly by the people,
elected by the power of the ballot
fairly and honestly used. Your re-
sponsibility is indeed great. They
have delegated to you that sovereignty
which 10 supreme, which can only be
reversed by the same methods here
employed. l feel that / shall give to
you, and you will pardon me, my views
as to some of the measures which in my
Judgment you should handle. do this
because naturally as your presiding
officer, will be excluded from having
a voice in your deliberations. l feel
that should call your attention to the
executive department. You are to say
what power you are to delegate to him.
That power should be we'll guarded it
should be restricted. Safeguards
should be thrown about him. We do
not desire a monarchy, nCr do we de-
sire despotism. Be careful and throw
every safeguard around this power.
Our present constitution was not
framed by people who had the in
terest of the whole people of the State
at heart, nor was it framed by the in
telligence of the State. | would here
recall to your mind the prophetic
words of Gov. Orr on the floor of that
convention that no constitution not
constructed by the intelligence of the
State could endure. We have come
here to blot out that constitution and
make constitution that will perpe-
tuate the rule of intelligence. We
are not against any class of citizens.
We are here to sustain the republic.
Virtue and patriotism is what sustains
any government.
The happiest people are the best
educated people. Therefore, you
should Apreserve your educational in
stitutiOns and see that the masses are
given the benefit of every educational
advantage.
There Is no way at present for the
executive to remove or suspend dis
honest or defaulting officials. The con-
stitution should provide for the re-
moval of such officials, or at least for
their suspension by the governor till
their cases can be Investigated. Spec
ify the offense and provide the punish
ment.
AS to the Legislative department 1t
is not necessary for me to go far into
that, for I see Legislators here. The
Legislature has entirely too many cleo
tions.
1t is an unwritten law that it must ad-
journ at Christmas. The terms should
be annual, as they are now. All the
elections should be put in the hands Of
the people. No Legislature can do
much with making law, when the
members are 80 harrassed by candi-
dates for office. Relieve that body Of
this cumbersome work.
The charter curse Is another thing.
NJ special charter should be granted.
All corporations should be chartered
under one general law. 1t would save
the Legislature half it's expense. 1t
would bring to the State numerous cor
| pOrations.
The safety of the republic also de-
pends upon your judiciary. The dan
ger to this republic to-day, 1t is said,
Is due to the transgression OF its power
by the federal judiciary. Learn the
lesson from it. Place your Judiciary
on pinnacle SO high that 1t will ever
remain spotless. Guard it.
And here, let me say, 1t would be
wise to have the people elect the
judges. This has been done by State;
that are ahead of us in wealth, intel
ligence and education.
Your county governments and court
are farce. Make some provision fol
establishing county courts, sentencing
to chain gangs, etc. Thus you Civ,
the best system of county government
| aad ,nal oacuina Lpnun In Tho wnpl6