The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1895-12-04
CONVENTION NOTES.
THE DELEGATES RUSIIING BUS.
INEss IN FINE STYLE.
Brief Resume of tho Most Important
Subjects Acted Upon.

CuOyoCtS tACCOU OpOus
The convention Monday night. bya
vote Of 63 to 40, accepted Mr.. Watson's
amendment by which the general ns-
sembly is given discretionary, instead
OF mandatory, power to provide for
the tivo highcr educational institutions
of this state. The old constitution
contained the word "shall," which is
construed to bo constitutional COM
mand, but tho colleges under that pro-
vision have had to meet opposition the
same as is expected with the change to
the word "may."
Tho section as amended begins thus:
'Tho general assembly may provide
for the maintenance of Clemson agri-
cultural college and the University Of
South Carolina as now established.
Tho University of South Carolina
embraces tho Winthrop college, the
South Carolina college, the Citadel
and Clahin college.
There was an all day debate on tho
simple changing of the word t'shall''
ms reported by the committee, to
"may." The suggestion was made re-
poatedly during the course of tho
heated argument that il was moro a
fight of fdenominational colleges against
stato institutions than anything else.
Be that as it may every ono will have
TO measure motives as he sees fit. AN
analysis Of tho vote may or may not
influence such an opinion. It may
be remarked that most Of tho
speeches in favor Of the amondmont
were made by those interested in New
berry, Wofford and Furman colleges,
through association, either as alumni
or friends, and on the other hand,
with the rarest exceptions, the gradu-
ates OF state institutions supported tho
committee report as it stood.
So far aa the practical results are
concerned the colleges will all be left
upon tho samo plane, md Clemson
and tho South Carolina college and the
Citadel arc all left with the same safe
guards and the ono is likely to fall or
tho other. What change this course
will have upon the subsequent action
upon the article cannot be anticipated,
but somo seem to think it will influ-
cnce tho final vote upon it's adoption.
Tho ordinance postponing the session
of tho legislature until tho middle Of
January was ratified and Governor
Evans issued his proclamation in obo-
dienco to the provision of the orai-
nance.
Tho convention spent Tucsday
morning i'll finally agreeing on tho ar
ticlo on cducntion. With the excep-
tion of tho single change us to state
colleges no essential change was mado
in the article ms reported. Much of
the stitctss 81 tic exceallllssiats plan for
tho schools of the state is Justly cred-
tied to the chairman Of tho conimittoe,
Mr.. Julian Mitchell, of Charleston.
The convention showed n decided dis
position to give the dispcnsnry profits
to tho public school fund, as wcll as
the revenue from cschentcd estates and
tho unclaimed direct tax. Tho whole
report ia regarded as tho very best
possible that could have been obtained
for The upbuilding OF tho schools of
the state, and tho support granted tho
public schools is liberal md considered
to insure schools for fvo months in
cyory part Of The state.
Tho entire night session was spent in
tho discussion Of tho salary question.
Aftor an endless number Of nmend-
mcnts had been adopted and tho con
vention seemed to have lost it's balance,
it got back to tho very samo ground
from which it started After the first
vote, which was to givo tho members
two dollars per diem up to tho recess
and four dollars after tho recess in tho
middle Of October, there was general
raise of salaries for all of tho clerks,
employees and attaches, and it soon
became apparent that this had loaded
down tho ordinance, and was emperil-
ing tho members pay, 30 that was I'M
done, although tho entire additional
exponso would hardly have been over
$1,000. Those who advocated tho four
dollars per diem were we'll managed
and stuck to their colors, although
thoy had to meet sovero fire. The
expectation is that tho expenses Of tho
convention will run up to $50, 900; pay
Of members at So per dny for twenty
fivo days $4,000. For the second
period, pay Of mombcrs for forty flvo
days at 81 per day. S28,800; mileage,
$4,000; printing, $4,000; lights and
fuel, 5000; olork, $1,000; secretary,
$500; pages, laborcrs, committee
clerks, otc., $4,000.
Wednesday morning tho convention
had under consideration n proposition
to take u recess to go to Atlanta on
South Carolina Day This wns voted