The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-07-30
THE MASS MEETING.


10 the Constitutional Convention met
in the Court House on Saturday. The
meeting was called to order by the
election of r. II. Jennings as perma-
nent chairman and w. j. Elliott secre-
tory. Mr.. Jennings said he was not
really able to state the exact purpose
of the meeting and asked some one
more familiar with the office than blm-
self to state the exact purpose.
Mr.. T. H. Ketchin remarked that be
understood the purpose OF the meeting
was to nominate two men from each
faction to go before the primary on
Tuesday who would be supported at
the general election for delegates to
the Constitutional Convention.
Mr.. T. X. Elliott arose and remarked
that he represented club which was
formed for the purpose of allaying all
dissension and strife, uniting the peo-
pie and doing away with partisanshlp.
We were about to frame the funda-
mental law of the land; the conven-
ton will affect the liberty and rights
of our people for years to come; that
peace, good government and able
representation was more to be desired
than mere factional victory. lie called
on the people to consider the great
importance and the far-reaching con-
sequences of the momenteus question
before them.
We DO not attempt to give verba-
tim report, but this is the general drift
of Mr.. Elliott's remarks. His speech
was wise, conservative, forcible and
timely, hsving great effect upon the
meeting. In conclusion he placed in
nomination Mr.. G. W. Ragsdale and
Mai. Thomas W. Brice, two CouserVa-
tives, to be candidates at the primary.
Mr.. R. Y. Lennon, Reformer,
seconded the nomination as did several
other Reformers present. Mr.. Lem
mon then placed in nomination R. A.
Meares and W. L. Rosborough This
nomination was seconded by Mr. T. II.
Ketchin and several others.
A resolution was passed by rising
vote to the effect that the mass meeting
vote this ticket at the primary and
stand By 1t attic general election.
The following resolution by Mr..
T. X. Elliott was next passed unani-
mously:
Resozred, That the object of this
meeting being to secure fair and equal
representation of both factions in the
Constitutional Convention from this
county, and believing that The ticket
nominated effects this, having full
faith in the patriotic purposes and
aspirations of the Democratic League,
we earnestly urge upon it to join with
US in the support of this ticker.
The mass meeting then adjourned.
Campaign Meeting.
Mr.. T. II. Ketchin, as president of
the Winnsboro Democratic Club No.
1, then called the campaign meeting to-
order.
A committee, consisting of Jao.
w. Lyles, T. K. Elliott and J. r.
Curlee, was appointed to wait on Mr..
G. W. Ragsda:es and inform him that
he had been nominated: Mr.. Rags
dale was presented to the meeting by
Mr.: K: EHiiott. He spoke along.
this. liae: He thanked the meeting
for .tAeshonor conf rred on him, saying
tbatRithin less than one hour ago he
had not thought of himself in connec-
ton with the constitutional delegates.
That the matter Of framing new
election law presented crisis of para
mount Importance which appealed to
the patriotism of every citizen of the
State. He was in favor of white;
'%H>SS.
supremacy, that all white men B1sti
be-: There might be difference of
opinion amongst us as to the best
manner Of obtaining this result, but,
when the convention has done its work
every citizen in South Carolina should
accept it in good faith as the funda-
mental law Of our State. He had very
little tiule TO think Of the matter, did
not expect to be- called upon as he had
been, therefore had no specific plan to
offer. If elected he would favor a,
course best suited to our peculiar con-
diion and troublesome circumstances
surrounding us. lie preferred to re-
main at his duties in his Office and let
others assume the responsibility, but
if his becoming a candidate could con-
tribute in the least to the termination
of factional strife he would chcerfully
consent to serve.
Mr.. ketchin then read letter from
Major T. W.. Brice stating that he
always preferred to stay out Of politi-
cal matters, but if his accepting the
nomination would be acceptable to a
large portion of both factions and tend
to heal the breach he would forego his
feelings in the matter.
AS the chairman has furnished the
secretary of the meeting with Major
Brice's formal acceptance we give it
verbatim.