The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-11-27
Constitutional Convention.
COLUMBIA, S. c.. Nov. 25, '95.

South Carolina is fast drawing to a
close, Most Of the important work has
been completed and DOW the finishing
touches are being put oD the new or
gaoic law of the State. The general
scope of the new Constitution is
thought 20 be much more ambitious
than was anticipated. TIE idea seemed
to be that the old Constitution would
be taken and amended only in such
places where amendment was thought
necessary, but instead Of doing that
the committees have reported practi-
cally new sections and almost a new
Constitution has been built. THIS is
especially The case in the article on cor
poratioDs.
The past week has been an exceed
ingly busy one 10 the Convention. At
the first of the week the unrest over
the protracted session grew and it be-
came apparent that if the old style Of
long debate continued that the work
would be almost interminable. In the
course of the debate on how to get
through With the work Seaatar Tillmap
struck upon che idea Of appointing a
"steering committee" and since that
committee hes been allowed full sway a
wide swatb has been cut in the work
At the outset some of those who
wanted to argue points did not like the
bride being put on their speeches, and
others insisted that steering COM
mittee" should be the very last thing to
6od it's way into a Constitutional Con.
ventioa, but the majority of the mem
bers wauied to get home just as 5000 as
possible, SO the steering committee
was sustained, aud after a final and
vigorous protest in the Journal, the
"steers' we're given full sway and have
mapped out the work SO that the mem
bers may be able3to get through with
all save the ratification next Tuesday.
The mem bers have been working hard
to cooperate. aAd no matter how carly
or how late the committee suggests for
the work the delegates respond
A vast deal of work has been COW
cred in the last week. The articles on
Finance and Taxation, Education,
Legislative Department, aud Judicial
Department are the only ones that
have not been 6oally agreed upon.
All Of the other articles have been sent
to the Committee on Order, Style and
Revision. There are few scattering
ordinances that have not been finished,
including oue-for the exemption from
certain provisions for Seabrook county.
During the past week the Convention
6nished lis work on the second reading
Of the articles Of the Judiciary, Bill Of
Rights, Finance and Taxaticn aud the
Legislative Department in addition to
a number Of smaller matters. Mem-
bers and others have been worried
about what was to become of the Lsgis-
lative session that was scheduled to
meet here on the day the Convention is
expected to 6nish its work. The Con-
veution has settled the matter, as best
it could, by passing an ordinance post
pooing the session Of the Legislature
to the middle of January and incorpor-
atipg sach a provision in the Consti,u-
tion.
After right royal battle the Con-
vention left it discretionary with the
Legislature whether or not to continue
the support of any Of the FIVE State
Colleges. The committee recommended
mandatory support, but the Convention
changed it to read may" 1t is likely
that the Convention will be asked on
the final reading Of the section to make
the support of the Colleges mandatory
and limit the amount of the general
school fund to 60 to the support of the
Colleges. The idea 10 that the public
schools will have good support from
the plan as now adopted. There is TO
be first Of all. mill tax aud 81
poll, and this is to be supplemented by
the p;of.s from the Dispeusarv accruiDg