The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-10-30
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
speea. Correspondence ofme 1ntsligeneer.

well under way. While there is an
abundance of debate, it is all pertinent to
the issues under discussion. The good
feeling among the members continues
and every one Is being more and more
impressed with the importance of the
work in hand.
For almost five days without much
interruption the Convention considered
what conditions should be imposed upon
new counties that were to be created and
what protection should be given the old
counties as well as the matter of town
ship government, which it was promised
would do more towards self government
and the making of an independent spirit
than anything else that could be done.
While the fight was intense on the matter
of. new counties, both sides seem to be
very well satisfied with the results. One
thing is quite certain, the creation of new
counties will not be as easy matter as it
has been supposed to be. The special
champions for small counties were the
two Tillman's, Senator B. R., and his
brother George D., and the opposition
was led by the members Of the Abbeyille
delegation.
The restrictions in forming new coun-
ties are first, two-thirds Of the qualified
voters in each Of the sections Of an old
county to be incorporated in a new
county must petition the Governor to
order an election. Then the election is
held and two-thirds of the voters in each
of the sections proposed to be cut off
from an old county must vote for con-
ssolidation with other sections Of counties
to go into new county.
The primary conditions are that new
county must have one hundred and
twenty-fourth part Of the whole popula-
ton of the State; taxable property assess
ed at $l,50O, coo, and contain not less than
400 square miles.
In making new county no old county
ia to be 80 cut as to leave It with less than
500 suuara miles, less than $4,000, 900 of
property, nor less than Is, COO inhabitants.
Perhaps the most vital condition imposed
is that no old county shall be cut within
eight miles of its county seat.
Provision is made that by two thirds
vote and compliance with the other pro-
visions of the article, that one township
may go from one county to another, pro-
yided It takes It's share OF the county debt.
There are sections which provide for
the amalgamation Of counties and the
removal Of county seats by two-thirds
vote.
After two days argument the Conven-
ton decided that the General Assembly
may provide for system Of township
povernment, This was not at all satisfac-
tory to tho friends Of township govern
ment, but 1t was accepted as the acorn
fronf which good system may grow. 1t
was In this debate that Mr.. Geo. d. Till
man made one of the finest arguments in
favor Of township governments that has
eyer been heard.
Whom the Convention finished with the
county matter, an effort was made to take
up the homestead question, but Senator
ETillman wanted to make start on the
suffrage bill. Up to this time, however,
there has been nothing more than speak
ing and that has been by the colored rep
resentatives, who arc urging with all the
alouuence and facts they have that there
ia no need to further degrade the negroes,
that they are peaceable and law-abiding,
that they do not want Office and there
never was negro rule in the State, that
whatever wrong there was In redical days
was inspired and carried out by whites,
that the negroes made good soldiers and
defended Southern homes, and there was
speeches have all been good and the only
prepared speeches that have yet been
delivered In the Convention. The color
ed mem bers urged that the plan as pro-
posed would practically disfranohise all
poor and ilAiterate. persons and that 1t
was to bring about q return to serfdom.
Some Of them said that 1t would be
fought in the Courts, In Congress and In
every available place 70 the bitter end,
and that In the end the American people
would be appealed to, and that as right
must prevail that the programme as pro-
posed to be carried out would be boone
rang to the State.
Thus far the woman sufragists have
had nothing to say. The apostles of wo-
man suffrage have been here ever since
the Convention began work and they are
In high spirits over the hopes that have
been given them. There is no doubt about
the fact that the wOman's movement has
gained strength, but it needs great deal
more to get the necessary vote for its
bers who favor letting the Legislature
provide for future woman suffrage, say
In ten years, If the circumstances require,
than there are who would vote to make
woman suffrage effective at this time. 1t
would be purely an emergency clause,
with but little idea of using 1t. The
strength of the movement has, however,
not vet been shown, and the friends of
the scheme insist that it will show aston
ishing growth.
Senator Irby has announced In every
way possible that it,is his intention to
fight the property and educational quail
fications in the Committee report to the
bitter end. He says that he is doing this
in the Interest of the white man, and,
what is more, he Is inclining to the
opinion that the understanding and e1-
plaining'' clause Is liable to being over
thrown by the Courts. For that reason
is is the intention Of Senator Irby to try
and have the clause relative to the quail
fications referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee, of which MIR. Stanyarne Wilson
Ia chairman. The first fight on the suf-
frage plan is expected to come in this
way, and 1t may develop the strength Of
the two forces, provided fight fs made
against committing the question to the
Judiciary Committee. AS 1t low stands
the report has the unanimous report Of
the Suffrage Committee and the second
Committee may throw cloud on the
understanding and explaining" clause.
Senator Irby says he wants the title Of
the poor made to the right Of registration
made as clear as possible, and not brush
ed away after the Convention is over.
Upon motion Of Senator Tillman the
debate on the suffrage question was post
poned until Monday night, and the ex-
pectation is that the female suffrage advo-
Gates will then speak.
Last Tuesday the Convention adjourn
ed in respect to the memory Of Mr.. r. Ell.
Hodges, member from Marlboro, who
died at Bennettsville, and at night eau
Gus OF the Democratic members was held
to consider the suffrage plan. Nothing
whatever was accomplished, the mem bers
only talking over the plan that had been
presented by the Committee. Senator
Irby made vigorous speech against the
property and educational qualifications
that had been incorporated in the report.
Senator Tillman explained the operations
of the plan, and he expects it to be accept
ed by large vote.
The Convention has adopted the article
on Militia. The only change from the
present provisions is that the General
hesannh1v shall nrovide for q liberal pen-