The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-11
Constitutional ConveMian.
ORGANIZED AND Er
WORK.
Governor Evans Electe6Pfes
ident Without Opposition.
His Address Well Timed and
Good Suggestions Made.

Good Suggestions Made.
The Constitutional Conventiea met
in the Hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives yesterday at IL O'Clock,
and without loss of time organized
for business. Col. Robert Adrich, of
sBarnwell, was elected temporary
chairman, and Col Willie Jones and
J. P. K. Bryan appointed temporary
secretaries. The roll of delegates
having been madeSup, the forRation
of the permanent organization was
proceeded with.
Mr. A. Fl Patterson, Of Bar~welI.
nominated Gov John Gary Evans for
President The election wasby ac-
clamstion. the only dissenting. vote
being Robert Small, of Beaufort.
Congressman Talbert and Hou. Ira
B. Jones were elected vice Presi-
dents.
Mr.. S. W. Vance was elected Sec
retary and Mr.. N. II stansill SER
!. geant at arms
Gov Evansew was escorted into the
hall, and ascending TO the speakers
desk addressed the Convention as
follows:
Gentlemea Of the: Convention: l
thank you for the honor conferred
upon me BY electisg me to- preside
over your deiberatiops. Under the
different forms Of government, a
monarchial, deapoti and republican,
you represent here To-day the sover-
eign power OF the republic To be
called upon, then, to3 preside over
the sovereignty Of South Carolina is
indeed an honos of which any man
car feel proud shall llAnot review
the past history. Of our conventions
That has alreadybeen ably done by
our temporary chairman. It~,onIy
suf6ces for me to say that thisis the
first time in the history of your<State
that her sovereignty has been repre-
sented directly by the people, elected
by the power of the ballot fairly and
honestly used. Your responsibility
is indeed great. They have de!egat-
ed to you that sovereignty which is
supreme, which can,only be reversed
by the same methods here employed.
feel that l should 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 you: presid.
ing officer. wili be excluded from
= =. -
ha-ing voiss~ln your deliberations
feel that / should call your atten-
ton to the executive department.
You are to say what power your ex-
ecutive shall have; what power. you
are to delegate to him That power
should be we'll gnarded;- it should be
restricted. Safeguards should be
tbown about him. We do nots de-
sire monarchysnor do we desire a
despotism. Be careful aud 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 intelligence of the State |
would here recall to your mind the
prophetic words of Gov. Orr on the
floor of that convention that no con-
stitution not constructed by the in
telligence of the State could endure.
We have come here to bio. out ,that
constitution and make a constitution
that will perpetuate the rule of intel
ligence. We,are not against any
class of citizens. We are here to
sustain the republic. Virtue land
patriotism is what sustains any gov
ernment.
The happiest people are the best
educated people. Therefore. you
should preserve your educational in
stitutiors and see that the masses are
given the benefit of every educa-
1;onaI advanfaCa