The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-12
sorru ctRoLrNt CONTENTION.
SUI III 'IhV'f'a WV f'fsV'
rmcrs OF the Proposed New Constitu-
fion Have Not Gotten Down to Business.

-
COLUMBIA, s. c., Sept. 1.-THE Con-
stltutional convention began It's session
this morning with another rush and the
proceedings have been lively.
President Evans announced his stanuing
committees at the opening. Senator
lrby Is chairman of the Committee
on Declaration OF Rights and Sena-
tor Tillman in charge OF the Committee
on Rights OF Suffrage. which means OF
course the reporting Of the Mississippi
plan with notifications. The minority
has been given pretty fair representation
on committees. II. l.. Melton was ap-
pointed assistant secretary. The miner
officers were also appointed.
The State printer was requested by
resolution to print the convention pro-
ceedings at the legislative scale of prices
until permanent arrangements can be
made. The resolution was adopted looking
to stenographic reporting OF the proceed
ings and the printing thereof Mr.. Hen
derson, of Aiken, offered several new or
dinances. one on suffrage and one on
matter Of divorces. which were referred.
Attention was called to the fact that
the delegates had not taken the consti-
tutional oath, that they had not been
sworn I'm and for three quarters OF an
hour things were lively IN the extreme.
The convention did not wish to take the
oath providede I'm the old constitution
and fight ensued. Finally II was de-
cidod 10 do so as IL could do no
harm. When four delegations had been
sworn IN and President Evans had taken
the OATH Senator Tillman made things
merry. lie submitted that under the same
constitution il he took the oath he would
have TO leave the convention alone
with ali others holding state Of
fees. for the constitution dis
tinctly said that no man holding office
could hold another State Office. This
was another office. I'VE are the peo-
pie. we are not officers. but represent
sovereignty. l cannot take the oath" Gene
raj Smalfs old negro statesman took
him up and plgstered him wen. He said
the same questions had arisen. he be-
ing a State Senator and United States
Congressman at the same time.
He simply lost his pay while he acted
as State Senator. Maybe Tillman didn't
wish to do that. After lively running
discussion, the convention referred the
matter TO the judiciary committee TO re-
port whether they should take the oath
or not, and if so to prepare suitable
one. Recess was taken pending this re-
port
General Smalls told Tilman during his
speech that the worst ting that could
happen TO i'm would be TO lose is pay.
Surely Tillman could not be obiecting
10 the oath because he would be losing
sl3 a day from the government while
/ he would get only 81 a day for serving his
own People.
The committee after the recess reported
that the taking Of the oath vas not ne
cessary. and the report was adopted.
All ma tier IN the record in regard TO
'he cath was ordered stricken ut.
! long fight took place IN regard to
! Increasing The per diem OF the members
f. ON s., as fixed by the Legislature I'm
! the act calling the convention. to g. The
! effort TO Increase failed
Numerous new ordinances were intro
! duced, one providing "a suffrage plan
| containing the main features of the Mis-
/ sissippi plan with alternative property
and other qualifications. an)thsr provid-
ing 5000 property qualification in cities
| and towns; another providing for d.
yorces for adultery upon conv.c-
ton by n jury; another for a reduction
OF the area Of counties 10 seen hundred
square miles. making the terms Of county
| officials four years, establishing count!
courts; providing for the election Of corn
I ty Judges.