The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-05
CLOSE OF THE CONVENTION.
CAROLINA's CONSTITUTION NOW
READY TO HE VOTED ON.

Seven Members of the Convention
Vote Against the Final Adoption
of the INSTRUMENTATION SmnIIs
Refuses To Sign II and the other
Negro Delegates Not Present.
Chairman Evans Makes a Fare
weII speech.
Columbia. S. c., Dec. AFTER remain
ing in session for three months. less one
week, the constitutional convention has
at last completed the work of framins
a new constitution for the state of South
Carolina, and has adjourned sine die
Seven members Of the convention voted
against the final adoption Of the organic
law. Mr. Doyle voted with these seven
also, but upon the completion of the roll
call had his vote changed.
II has taken long time and no end of
debate to construct the organic law. and
consequently many radical changes from
the old constitution have been made, the
five most radical being the regulation OF
the suffrage, with the understanding
feature, the increase in the school tax
the imposition OF the graduated income
tax, the putting in Of the dispensary law
regulations, and the adoption of the anti
lynch law section, which is the only pro-
vision of the kind in any state constitu-
ton. Then there is the increase Of tho
supreme court to four justices and an
endless number of other important
changes.
The convention has been in session so
long that It has come to be considered al
most part of the state government II
is needless 10 say that a good many MEM
bers seem to be much fatigued and worn
out, and no doubt they will be glad TO
get away to their homes. The cost Of
framing the new constitution has been
far greater than was expected, but that
has been provided for and the people will
scarcely complain.
Thus far very few opinions as to the
merits or dement's of the paper have been
expressed, but no doubt many of its
features will be heard from during the
coming state campaign.
The convention members as a whole
STUCK pretty close TO their work during
the entire session and are 20 be COM
mended for their endurance Three mem
bers Of the convention died during the
session.
To-days work was purely OF. a routine
character from beg nning TO end the COM
mittee on order, style and revision direct
ing the proceedings.
The committee has done its work in the
most thorough manner. The considera-
ton of the committees proposed amend
ments was completed To-day at exactly
:3S p. m, ana after considering some
resolutions, the convention az p. M took
a recess until 4 p. m, 10 allow the com
mittee to cover the changes presented in
the enrolled copy. In the afternoon the
convention had all these pages ready.
They were adopted after being fully re-
vised, and the constitution was adopted
as whole. A recess was then taken until
1880 p. m, TO allow the committee to ar
range the enrolled sheets In their proper
order In the enterim mock convention
was held and much sport was indulged In.
At night at the final session, tie in
teresting ceremony Of resigning the con-
Sutution was witnessed.
President Evans signed first at 1887
O'Clock. Gen. Robert Smalis, one Of the
negro members, refused to sign. The
other negroes We're not in the hall. At two
minutes Of o'clock, the constitution was
declared the organic law Of the state.
The convention then went into com
mittee of the whole, with George john
stone in the chair. Appropriate resolu-
tons We're adopted. When President
ger, on behalf of the delegates presented
him with a handsome gold watch.
President Evans delivered his farewell
address, speaking as follows: "There are
times gentlemen, places and circum-
stances that bring the hearts of men to-
gether. When the outside chickering's
when dissensions, when anmosities are
forgotten and hearts that were divided
become united and beat for one body, /
feel that this convention now REPRESENT
AdIOilnH,
now rests in that condition. 1t has been
the cherished hope of the most of us
that this convention would be the means
of framing law around which South Car
olinans could unite; around which a di-
Vided people could unite and bury past
differences and be brethren once more
! feel that that has been accomplished
we came here with some misgiVings
We came here, some Of u.s. possibly think
ing that some of US, IN the heat of debate
would infict wounds that would never be
healed al rnH hot .fr
been the case | thank God that this body
VIII adjourn, and apart from my own
heart 1 believe l but reflect the feelings
and sentiments Of every delegate upon this
floor, when | say that when we leave here
we leave with no heartburnings-wlf no
prejudices. We leave 1t a united people
once more.
Gentlemen, you have honored me. Nv
people nave honored me-you representing
them in their sovereign capacity have hon
ored me by putting me i'm this position
You have honored me with these resolu-
tions, you have honored me with this gift
which | shall cherish, and let me assure
you that as its hands mark the feetng
moments OF my lfe-as the years pass by
and as the time draws near FOR my depar-
ture from this world. | shall ALWAYS look
at this and recall the memories of this
convention, the happy hours spent in
watching the people, watching the citizens
with but one idea making the law Of their
state; with but one motive actuatlng them
the happiness Of her people,; and / shall
turn to this always with the happiest of
memories.
"And now, gentlemen, let me assure
you, and 1t shall also be a reminder
has been suggested by the gentleman
from Barnwel that before we meet in
another constitutional convention / shall
be a married man, / am satisfied, gentle
men. 1t will be sooner but this Is not
the place-this is too dignihed a place
TO make rash promises And now, gentle
men, in bidding you goodbye-in bidding
you farewell, in adjourning your delib-
eratiOns let me wish you a happy Christ
mas, a happy New Year, and may God
cause his blessings to shower upon you
and upon the state for which you have
worked 50 hard. | am satisfied that your
work viii live after you. / am satisfied
that an honest constituency win say
"Well DONE good and faithful servants
Il thank you, gentlemen, for these hon
ors. / have endeavored in your delibera-
atiOns to be fair 1 have endeaVored to
exhibit no passion. ] realize fully the
frailties Of human nature and ] realize
fully that / have not always conducted
myself as ! should have done; but / am
satisfied that you will agree with me that
it was an error Of the head and not of
the heart
And now, ] bid you God speed and
may heaven bless our state as we 20
forth hand IN hand. one heart and one
people. inyincible and prosperous"
a compliment was paid 10 the vener-