The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-17
GOV. EVANS ADDRESS
On tho Opening Of the Constitutional
Convention.


On tho Opening Of the Constitutional
Convention.
Governor John Gary Evans was
elected president Of the convention
AMI upon taking the chair, addressed
the Convention, saying:
Gentlemen Of the Convention: thank
you for the honor conferred upon me by
electing me to preside over your dellbera-
ment, monarchiai, despotic and republican,
you represent here to-day the sovereign
power Of the republic. To be called upon,
then. to preside over the sovereignty Of
South Carolina is indeed an honor Of which
any man can feel proud. I shall not review
the past history Of our conventions. That
has already been ably done by our TEN
porary chairman. It only suflces for Re to
say that this is the first time in the history Of
your State that her sovereignty has beeo
represented directly by the people, elected
by the power Of the ballot fairly nd honest
~ used. Your responsibility is indeed great.
They have delegated to you that sovereignty
which is supreme, which can only. be re-
versed by the same methods here employed.
feel that should give to YOU, and you Will
pardon me, my Viows as to some OF the
measures which in my judgment you should
handle. do this because naturally as your
presiding officer. 7 will be excluded from
having voice in your deliberations. feel
that should call your attention tc the exec
utiye department.. You are to say what
power, you are to delegate to him. That
power should be we'll guarded it should be
restricted. Safeguards should be thrown
about him. We do not desire & monarchy,
f~ a f,ar a nj
and throw every safeguard around this
power. Our present constitution was not
framed by people who had the interest Of the
whole people Of the State at heart. nor was
it framed by the intelligence of the State. J
would here recall to your mind the prophetic
words Of Governor Orr on the floor Of that
convention that no constitution not con-
structed by the intelligence Of the Stats
could endure. We have come mere to blot
out that constitution and make constltu-
ton that will perpetuate the rule OF IN.
tell:gence. We are not against any class OF
citizens. We are here to sustain The republic.
Virtue and patriotism is what sustains aUy
government.
The happiest people are the best educated
people, Therefore. you should preserve
your educational Institutions and see that
the masses are given the benefit OF every
educational advantage.
There is no way at present for the e1-
ecutive to remove or suspend dishonest or
defaEltnS officials. The constitution should
provide for the removal Of such officials: or
at least for their suspension by the governor
till their cases can be Investigated. Specify
the ofrense and provide the punishment.
As to the legislative department it is not
necessary for me to 90 far into that, for see
legislators here. The Legislature has en-
tirely too many elections.
It is ulwritten law that it must adjourn at
Christmas. The terms should be annual,
as they are now. All the elections should
be put in the hands ofthe people. No Legls-
lature can do much with making laws. when
the members are So harraSscd ny candidates
for office. Relieve that body Of this cumber-
some work. .-.-.
The charter curse is another thing. No
epecial charter should bs granted. All cor
Dorations should b" chartered under one
general law. 1t c save the legislature
half its expense. 1t would bring to the State
numerous corporations.
The safety OF the republic also depends
upon YOUR Judiciary The danger to this
republic today. it is said. is due to the trans
gressiOn Of its power by the federal Judiciary.
Learn the lesson from it. Place your judiciary
| on a pinnacle so high that it will ever re-
main spotlesS. Guard it.
And here let me say. it would be wise to
| have the people elect the judges. This has
been done by States that 4. Z ahead Of uS in
wealth, intelligence and education.
Your county governments and courts are
a farce Make some provision Tor establish
ing county courts, sentencing to cham gang.
| etc. Thus vou give the best system OF coun-
ty government and road service known in
the world Guard against too small coun-
| ties.
The educational question in this State is
| one of the most serious because n schools
citizens must be prepared for government.
The s.hoo!mas.er is a most important per.
| sona-r Tie hiyheriEStitutiOnS are It's much
needed as the common schools. The latter
make necessity for the former. We can
not do without either. Don't tear down any,
Int rather build up more Of the higher in
stitutions. NJ tax that goes to such institu-
tons is ever unju or oppressive. Ihc peo'
pie get il back manifold.
You arc to pass Il qualification of ofsuE1raSe
YDl, are here representing the intelligence o.
the State; you must peTl"tuatc 1t. }ou
must have an educational qualification. You
must ,l0 your duty. Let not ccHsHre ol !or.
ejcnrrs and aliens deter YOU. You stand
here as the whole people. You must rccoS'
njze no fartiDual differences here. The del
e,,nt,,s must rise above it. WnmuSt have The
supremacy Of intelligence over ignorance
| no lis. to mincc wor,is. for it means white
SUPREMACY. There is no injustice to thu
| biHrk man.
Now. another questi0n--the question o:
! corporations. Provisions should hc made to
guard the people against the en"rol,hments
of corporate wcalth-a plutocracy. This is
not demago=y. but democracy. Corporation:
| come here. Our laws are in favor Of them
but we owe to our people this safeguard
The operatives are rot foreigners. but Soutt
| Carolinians Special provisions should bt
made preventing the influence Of corpora
tions on elections. Such an officer as an in.
spector would be valuable in the feeling o
security to the people, AMI such servict
would be more valuable than the salary paiC
him.
The question OF corruption in municipali
ties needs your attention. The only dishon
est elections to-day, venture to say. are il
municipalities. Guarantee the State, cit.
and county alike protection.
don't expect these views to have any
weight. but I feel it my duty to tell you abou
these things. and pray that God will give
YOU Justice and factonal peace. Give these
things YOUR careful consideration. Act a!
the only child Of fond parents in all that yol
do. and you will reap your reward and you
|. prosperity.
I now declare the convention ready to pro
coed with its work.