The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-12
CAROLINA'S CONSTITUTION.
THE CONVENTION OF FR.AMERs IN
SESSION AT COLUMBIA.

Proceedings open Yesterday with a
Rush and Were Pretty Lively All
Day-Standing Committee Chair
manships Announced by the Pres
ident-The Question of the Proper
Oath 10 BE Taken by Delegates
Leads TO "a Lively COIIoauy BE-
tween Senator TfIIman and Old
Gen. smaIIs.
Columbia. S. c.. Sept 1.-THE consti-
tutional convention began its session this
morning with a rush and there have been
lively proceedings thus far.
President Evans announced his standing
committees at the opening. Senator Irby
is chairman OF the committee on the dec
laration Of rights and Senator Tinman is
IN charge Of the committee on right OF
suffrage. which means. of course. the re-
porting OF the Mississippi plan with mod
ihcations. The minority has been given a
pretty fair representation on the commit
tees.
p. l.. Melton was appointed assistant
secretary and other minor officers were
appointed.
The state printer was requested by res
ings at the legislature scale Of prices until
permanent arrangements can be made.
A resolution was adopted looking to the
stenographic reporting of the proceedings
and the printing thereof.
Mr.. Henderson OF Aiken offered several
ordinances-one on suffrage. and one on
the matter Of divorces-which were re-
ferred.
Attention was called TO the fact that
the delegates had not taken the consti-
tutional oath-that they had not been
sworn In and for three quarters OF an
hour things were lively IN the extreme.
The convention did not wish to take the
oath provided In the old constitution and
fight ensued. Finally IL was decided to
do 80 as the surplus could do no harm.
When four delegations had been sworn
In and President Evans had taken the
oath, Senator Tillman made things mer-
~. He submitted that under the same
constitution II he took that oath he
would have to leave the convention, with
all others holding United States Offices.
for the constitution distinctly said that
no man holding federal office could hold
state office. I'VE are the people we
are not officers, but represent sovereign-
ty / cannot take the OATH"
Gen. Smalls, the old negro statesman.
took him up and plastered him well. He
said the same question had arisen. he be-
ing a state senator and a United States
congressman at the same time. He sim
ply lost his pay while he acted as state
senator. May be Tillman didn't wish TO
do that"
After a lively running discussion the
ha m ha
dietary committee to report whether they
should take the oath or not and II so to
prepare a suitable one. Recess was taken
pending this report.
Gen. smalls told Trlman during his
speech that the worst thing that could
happen to him would be the losing Of his
pay. Surely Tlllrnan could not be object
ing to the oath because he would be losing
si3 day from the government, while he
would get only 81 for serving his own
people.
The committee. after the recess, re-
ported that the taking Of the oath was not
necessary and the report was adopted.
All matter In the record in regard to the
oath was ordered stricken out.
A long nght took place In regard to
increasing the per diem OF the members
from 81, as fixed by the legislature In the
act calling the convention, TO 81. The ef-
fort to increase failed.
duced, one providing a suffrage plan cons
tanning the main features of the Missis-
sippi plan, with alternative property and
other qualifications; another providing a
5000 property qualification in cities and
towns; another providing for divorces for
adultery upon conviction by jury; an
other for a reduction of the area of coun-
ties to 900 square miles, making the terms
of county officials four years, establishing
county courts and providing for the elec-
ton Of county judges.
An effort was made to commit the con-
vention against considering applications
for the formation of new counties, but Il
failed. The counties of the state are abb
normally large and the old constitution
rendering their subdivision almost inn
practicable on account Of it's provisions
as to area, there Is a strong lobby SEEK
ing the creation Of many new counties.
BY a vote of 100 10 SS the convention re-
fused to increase the pay of It's members
from 81 to 81 per diem. members taking
the ground that they had committed them
selves TO the lower rate by becoming cam
didates under the act Of the legislature
fixing such per diem.