The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-07-24
As Some Feared, q Few Politicians
Prevent the Healing of the
Breach in Sumter County.
4 Convention of Discord and Disgrace
t,d Wrang;:ng.
The Leaders of Reform are Responsi.
BILE for ALI the Evils that May
Result from Their Refusal
to Accept the Terms of
Peace Proposed by
Conservatives.

The Reform County Convention assembled
4, 1l.30 o'clock aud the enrolment of the
delegates was taken up at once. Before the
roll call had been completed by Secretary W.
s. James, Chairman q. R. Thomas read
letter from Aaj Marion Noise, Chairman Of
the Conservative Con Committee, atat.
ing the object for which the committee bad
been appointed On motion Of Mr.. H. l.. B.
Wells, Messrs. a. T. Abbott and W. <.
Crosswell were appointed committee to
notify the Conservative Committee and invite
them to appesr before the convention and
submit the proposition from the Conservative
faction.
On motion of Capt. D. E. Keels, Mr.. H. R.
Thomas was elected permanent chairman aud
Mr. w. s. James, secretary.
In lieu of reading the call for the conven-
ton, Chairman Thomas stated briefly the
objec, of the meeting.
A recess was takea until the Conservative
committee should arrive.
Maj. Noise and hon. Altamon, Moses came
into the Court House within few moments,
accompanied by Aessrs. Abbott and Cross
we'll.
Cbairmau Thomas introduced Maj Noise,
who read the resolution adopted by the
Conservative County Convention. Ia which
the proposition to divide delegates was made.
In addition to the bare statement of terms
Of division, Msj Noise spoke briefly Of the
motives scruat,ug the Conservative faction
when the division was proposed. He said
.hst the Conservatives desired peace and that
il was felt to be right that the Reformers
should have representation in the conventioo
that majority of the meo of both factions
favored the same principles aud that there
was 30 real cause for division Of the white
peo...e of Sumter County at this slime. The
Conservatives having majority OF the white
voters in Sumter County and having made
,ha proposition to divide and have peace, it
rested With this Convention, representing the
Reformers, to say whether we shall have peace
in the county OF cot. If the proposition is
rejected then the contest will be forced into
The general election.
Nr. W. A. James asked Maj. Noise whether
the division was proposed as matter o. poll
cy in hope ctinauencing action in other coun-
iics-to use the Refo-mers as cats paws!
Whether the proposal TO give three delegates
20 the Reformers was done as matter OF
charity or as the right of the Reformers on
account of the strength of the faction! MAJ.
Noise replied that i, was too late for the
ac,ion in this county to influence the acton
of other counties aud that as be understood
j, the proposition was made both az recog-
aition of the right of the Reformers TO repre-
seatation and desire for peace.
Mr. J. E. DuPre wanted to know whether
the Conservatives proposed to submit to the
primary or elect their delegates outside Of the
primary. Msj Noise said that he was not
given power tn say, but that the proposition
was that each side should select its own three
delegates in any way il saw 1T.
Nr. A. Moses was called up and was asked
several questions.
Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. w. A. James had the
6rst spat while Maj. Noise was being ques-
toned. Nr. Themas reminded Mr.. James that
Mai. Noise was a guest Of the convention.
Mr.. James retorted rather sharply that he
was never lacking n courtesy to guest.
Mr.H. R. Thomas read lengthy address
advising peace between the white men 10
Sumter aud peaisiag the spirit OF the Con-
servs,ive proposition.
Mr. L. D. Jennings offered the following
resolution Immediately that NJ. Thomas took
his seat:
Te the Retormers Of Sumter County in
convention assembled aud having considered
the offer of a compromise made to us oy the
Conservatives Of Sumter County.
We do say ,h1t we cannot accept such 8
compromise, for the following reason, viz
Firs,, because we would have to 60 outside
Of the Democratic party if we accepted such
an offer as they have made TO us.
Second, we would be trying to force candi-
dates upon the people for them to vote With
90, giving them the opportunity OF SELECTION,
which would be trying to assume power that
,he people alone possess.
But 10 consideration Of the bitter feeling
which has existed among our people since
1890, and the grea, desire that seems TO be IN
both factions of laying aside all Of the past
bitterness ard doing away with any further
strife, and coming together and realizing
,he fact that We have no authority whatever
20 dictate 10 the people whom they shall vote
fox. and We can make 30 rule by which we
can say that the people shal; vote for three
Conservatives aod three Refo:ners. De II re-
solved,
First. Tia: we 90 ask and advise The peo-
.,!e 10 lay aside all factional p1ejudsces and
vote for meu irrespective Of faction IN the
o,,;,,n-;rnarv which has been ordered.