The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-10
THE FACTORY TOWNS.
The Convention Decides Against
Compulsory IncorpOratiOn-A De-
feat for Senator Eillman.

The Convention Decides Against
Compulsory Incorporation-A De-
feat for Senator rillman.
Mr.. ID. S. Henderson called up the
report Of the committee on municipal
corporations on the sections recon-
mitted TO them. 1t read as follows
The committee on municipal cor
porations and police regulations, to
whom was recommitted sections | and
OF the article proposed by them, res
spectfully report that they have care
fully considered the same, and re-
commend that said sections as amended
| by the convention do pass with the
following proviso to be added at tho
end OF section ,: Provided, That
nothing in sections and , Of this
| article be construed as prohibiting the
general assembly from providing for
tho incorporation of the manufacture
ing towns of this State, under such
restrictions and regulations as shall
protect the rights OF the citizens and
prevent unjust cncroachments upon
property"
Mr.. b. II. Tillman offered this sub
stitutc: Provided, That Il class to
be known as the manufacturing towns
shall be provided by the general as
ccmhly, and shall be Incorporated
wherever tho population Of such com.
restrictions and regulations DIS shall
protect the rights of and prevent un-
just encroachments upon the property
OF the citizens. In such towns no pro-
perty qualifications shall be required
to vote in municipal elections for Of
ficers."
This prccipitatcd the debatc of the
day. MIR. Tillman explained his
object in Offering this amendment
The manufacturing towns were practi-
cally owned by the company. AS the
law STOOD tho citiZens-employees of
the mills-could not obtain charter
Or have tho town Incorporated if the
factory presidents objected. If they
petitioncd for charter against the
wishes OF the bosses they would be
told to got out" He wanted to put
1t in such shape that When u factory
town reached certain size it would
be Incorporated.
MIR. Johnstonc asked whether Mr.. |
Tillman would incorporate town
against the will OF its Inhabitants
Mr.. Tillman-I want to force an in
corporation when the towns reach 900
Inhabitants. If they have to sign a
petition to bo Incorporated they will
be told by the mill owners: "Sign
that and you must get out" and you
know it..
Mr. tombstone with great emphasis)
MIR. President, | arise to ask cour-
tcous question, and | hope I asked it
IN Il courteous manner, and | do pro-
test against the kind of answer havo
received. The gentleman has no right
to imputc such knowledge or motives
to me or any one upon this floor. |
earnest y protest against it.
Mr.. Tillman-I meant no reflection,
ND n h i Il
Withdraw it.
Mr.. Johnstone-I am very happy to
hoar the gentleman make that de.
claration.
Mr.. Prince considered himself com.
potent to speak for factory employees.
He lived among factories, had friends
and relatives employed in them and
he knew they did not wish this kind OF
Legislation. Speaking for the factories
OF Anderson and Grecnvillo counties,
Mr.. Prince asserted that they were
tho best governed communities in the
State. Their schools were open for
nine, ten, and If they waited thom they
could have them for eleven months
in the year. This convention, it'll
seemed TO him, was inclined to be
trying to protect the women, now they
wanted to protect q certain class OF
laborcrs.
Tliman-What kind of government
is that OF the factory towns, If it is not
he most paternal :? They are white
slaves, that's what they are.
Mr.. Prince-Thoso in my county are
manly citizens and they would spurn
tho imputation that they were ruled
by any man. II these people are not
free and independent I would like
some gentleman on the floor to say so.