The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-07-11
.REFORMERS GATHER
ABIG POLITICAL MEETING.
At Which Conservatives have a Re-
spectful Hearing.

egates from that county to the Constr,
tutional Convention, was held on Mon
day. The meeting was composed OF
citizens generally and ten delegates
from each township, ofwhich there are
ten. When the roll was called it was
found that eighty-one delegates were
in attendance. J. W. Gregory was
made permanent chairman and y. NJ.
Greer secretary.
On motion of G. W. Whitman the
Chair appointed committee OF ten,
one from each township, to which all
resolutions we're referred. Some OBJ
lection was raised to this on the ground
that there was not much time allowed
until Court reconvened. Mr.. Whit
man said that this would facilitate
matters, and that he would rush things
along at lively rate if they would let
him run the things little while.
While the committee was out the
Hon. VIM. Munro was called upon to
address the meeting. Mr.. Munro ex-
pressed his surprise at being called
and said that he was not prepared, but
addressed the meeting in behalf Of the
Conservatives, asking that they be al
lowed equalrepresentation in the Con
stitutional Convention. He said that
it was now in the hands of the Reform
faction to bring the people together
by giving them this representation,
that the chasm was closing anyway, and
that the people were gradually coming
together; that there was not 80 much
bitter feeling between the two factions
as there had been. That he could
pledge that the Conservative element
was as solidly in favor Of white su-
premacy as the reformers were.
Mr.. VIM. A. Nicholson was called
upon, and said that he would like to
hear some expression from the Conser-
vatives as to whether they would come
into the primary and abide the result
To this Mr.. Munro replied that it was
we'll known that if the Conservatives
brought out candidate he would not
stand the ghost of show, as the other
faction was in 80 large majority. 10
this it was answered that if a Conser-
yatiye took the stump and told has
opinions of the needed changes in the
laws, if they met the approval OF the
people, they would vo.e for him ire
spective of party factions. There
were several short speeches along this
line from both sides.
Mr.. Jefries said that the Conserva-
lives were not.beggars, that they were
the peers of any men and they thought
they knew their rights. and only asked
for what they thought to be their
rights; that he could live under any
laws that any other white man could.
He said it was ridiculous to intimate
that the Conservatives, if allowed
voice in the Convention, would do
aueht to interfere with white su-
premacy. - ..~-..--
Taken altogether it was very har-
monious meeting. There WAS no i'll
feeling expressed in the speeches from
either side. Each seemed to want
peace and unity of the party, but the
means of bringing it about was thought
to be one thing by one and another by
the other.
It is very evident from the present
outlook that strong delegation Of the
Reform party will be sent from this
county. Some of the Reformers are
in favor of allowing the Conservatives
one member, while others are not in
favor of granting anything exc ep
what they may win before the people
on the stump.
The committee returned bringing in
the following resolutions that were
read and adopted seriatim. The reso-
lutions passed, with two or three ex'
ceptions, without argument:
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves
to white supremacy, to the extent OF
our influence, so far as it can be pre-
served without fraud, and without dis
frarchising white men for other cause
than that by which they are now dis.
franchised. No property qualification
should be necessary as condition for
holding Office.
2. That we pledge our influence to
the promotion of peace and harmony
and unity, based upon what we conceive
to be party governmental principles.
We will not consent to jeopardize the
principles of popular government as
we now have it in South Carolina for
any consideration.
5. We pledge our influence to the
formation of Constitution that will
so guard private rights as that it will
be impossible to force individuals to
pay taxes for the benefit of corpora
tions not owned and operated by the
Government.
4. We believe that common school,
industrial and chronological education
is necessary to the stability of the
highest form of popular government,
and advocate that the grade of educa-
ton be guaranteed to the people by
the Constitution.
5. We believe purely scientific and
classical education of high grade un-
necessary to the stability of popular
government, and more luxury than
necessity; and this grade Of education
being abundantly supplied by volun-
tary effort, We advocate Constitution
that will prohibit competition on the
part of the State with institutions
purely literary, classical and scientific
in their character, and of high grade,
supported wholly by voluntary effort.
S. We believe the people should be
left the right to determine by their
representation in the General As
sembly what are the proper subjects OF
police legislation, without restriction
hy tbe Constitution.