Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-29

In many instances I see farmers who
were we'll to do, since '76 have lost
their land and their personal property,
and are now working for part of the
crop, with their wives and children
laboring side by side with them in the
field. These people will never be ad-
vised or led into any antagonism or
trouble with the United States court,
because they cannot afford it, and l
cannot do anything to bring it about.
The best and safest way in emergen-
cies and trials like this is the peace
able one, if possible. There must, how
ever, be no backing, no funking, no
lodging. We must win this election
honestly and peaceably, and I believe
we will do it,"
"Well, Senator, how do you pro-
pose to accomplish this ?"
81 think that for the dignity of the
State, the attorney general ought to
prosecute his appeal with the greatest
possible dispatch. He can get a case
by one supervisor ignoring Judge
Goff's order, and take him to the
United States court under writ OF
habeas corpus. But this alone could
not safely he relied upon, for we
ought to take all the chances, in case
they decide against us, and know what
to do at once. I think that it is high
ly probable that if this case is taken
to the United States supreme court,
that it may not be decided in time for
us to know what the decree will be
till time to hold the election or con-
vention arrives; so time is a great
factor in this whole matter. If we
can strengthen the line of policy in
any way, it is our duty to do it. The
committee discussed at length, and
while there was no expression upon it
by vote, yet have every reason to
believe that a majority of the men,
bers favor the suggestion that made,
which is: That the committee, as the
representative and guardian of the
whole Democracy, including every
faction, should respectfully ask the
governor, for the good, safety and the
peace and dignity of the State, to call
an extra session of the Legislature at
once. TO use a common expression,
tie it out in the woods for quick use,'
should the decision be against us, or
fail to come in time.
Realizing the seriousness and gravi-
ty of the situation, was unwilling to
trust my knowledge of the law, and
called around me able lawyers, to dis
cuss and advise as to the legal aspects
of the case the attorney general, Col
onel Aldrich, of Barnwell, Senator
Mayfield and Speaker Ira B. Jones. l
also asked the opinion of another gen.
tleman, whose name I shall not men
tion, and they all agreed that the leg
islature, if it saw fit, could wipe out
our present election law, do away with
the good, bad and indifferent, give us
law copied from some Northern
State to be used as pontoon bridge to
cross the stream, with the hope of
building an iron one later. l know it
is claimed by some that we have got
to stand or fall on what the legislature
did, and that an extra session cannot
undo what it did in these election mat
ters last December. This was the
point that was elaborately discussed by
the gentlemen, and decided unani-
mously in favor of the right of the
legislature to make new law.
I think it is due myself, personally,
as we'll as chairman of the party, to
say that some newspaper correspon-
dents have intimated that some politi-
cal advantage might be at the bottom
of this suggestion that made in ref
renee to the calling an extra session of
the legislature. I realize that the exc
cutive committee have been charged
by the party with the taking care of
the constitutional convention to see
that the delegates are legally elected,
so that the product of the convention
will stand the blows of its enemies at
the Federal courts. If we think it is
best for the people of the State to have
the legislature to meet and remove this
cloud that threatens the title and very
life of the constitution to be made, then
we should be derelict if we failed to ask
the governor to call the legislature to-
gether. Of course, it is in his provi-
dence to do it or not as he sees fit.
The executive committee is the one that
made the campaign, that elected the
present administration and called the
constitutional convention, and as loyal
Democrats and true representatives of
the Democracy, we are always pleased
to sustain the administration, and will
continue to do so; but we must not be
expected to shirk responsibility, even
if it does conflict with the opinions Of
other able and distinguished men,"
..i7@Then, senator, you have very de-
cided convictions that an extra session
of the legislature ought to be called ?"
ayes, 1 have indeed, after. much ma
ture deliberation. The chief reason
is that it will remove all questions and
everybody will admit that these law
questions are not only serious, but in
great doubt. To emphasize it, I say
again, in this way we will have a quiet
and peaceable election. Now, the
cost of the legislature in these hard
times, under a reform government,
ho oonc;dorod on ohstacla hut