The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-18
VOTED IT DOWN.
THE MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION
NO SALARY GRABBERs.

Cuo dulOuuI uAcu Wy tuo LCSESlotuIO.
The subject was brought up by the
introduction of the following resolu-
tion which was offered by Ex-Gov.
Sheppard:
Resolved, That the members of this
convention shall receive as compensa-
ton two dollars day during the ses-
sions of the convention and five cents
per mile for each mile travelled COM
ing to and returning from the conven-
ton.
It was moved that the resolution be
referred to the proper committee, but
Mr.. Sheppard insisted on its immedi-
ate consideration, holding that there
ought not to be any delay about it.
Toe Legislature in its wisdom had
fixed the salary of members and he
thought they were to accept it wheth-
er they thought it was enough or not.
He facetious1y remarked that the con-
vention would have chance at Legis-
lators salaries and might return the
compliment, but he thought the mat
ter could be disposed of as well now as
at any other time.
Mr.. George Johnstone said that we
did not know yet what the expenses of
the convention would be. The appro-
priation may or may not be adequate,
but so far as our own compensation is
concerned we owe it to ourselves to
speak out now. We ought to accept
the decision of the Legislature.
Mr.. Breazeale didn't think the reso.
luton carried out the terms of the Act
of the Legislature, but Mr.. Sheppard
said it wasEin the Identical words. o..
The Immediate consideration of the
resolution was then ordered by vote
of 116, the negative vote being so small
it was not counted.
ECONOMY RULES.
The discussion of the subject was
continued at some length, but in the
end the 50 people won.
Mr.. Rogers of Marlboro, while con-
sidering economy good, thing,
thought 50 was entirely inadequate
and he didn't believe in that sort OF
economy. He moved to amend the
resolution by making the per diem 81
and he believed that was little enough.
Mr., Clayton moved to lay that mo-
ton on the table as the members were
morally, if not legally, bound by the
action of the Legislature. He with
drew the motion temporarily in order
to permit other members to express
their views.
Mr.. b. G. Burn walked into the
middle aisle and made a rousing
speech in favor of 81, although he
thought it was not enough. He did
not think the Legislature had any
right to bind the convention, but it
was a patriotic duty to abide by the
result as the people expected them to
get only 50 per day. He considered
that the Legislature had got too big
CITY" in arrogating to itself the power
to bind the sovereign people of the
State, and although 50 would make
them stay in cheap boarding houses,
yet from patriotism he was willing to
accept it. His remarks were loudly
applauded.
At this point COL Aldrich moved
that as no rules had been agreed upon
that for the present motion to lay
over shall not act to cut off debate.
Mr.. Ellerbe said that last winter he
had not favored the 50 salary, but it
was passed by the Legislature and the
appropriation for the expenses OF the
convention wasmade on that basis and
it should not be changed. He believed
that if members got 81 per day it
would have a tendency to prolong the
session, whereas if they only got 81
they would hurry up with the work
they had to do.
Mr.. McCalla of Abbeville favored
economy, but he didn't believe that 81
was enough and he didn't believe the
people wanted them to serve without
having their expenses paid.
Mr.. Prince of Anderson said while
the convention was in no way bound
by Legislative action, he thought 81
should be accepted because the people
expected it. Let the convention Sdx
the salary at 50 simply because the
people expected it to do so.
Mr.. Rogers again speaking to the
subject said that he did not believe the
convention to pe either legally or NOR
ally bound by the action of the Legis
lature, but this thing of 50 per diem
was setting race to carry economy tc
an extreme that made It ridiculous
This cry of economy had served dema
Igogues in years past and he was will
ing to fix the salary at such figure as
| to rid the State of this demagogism
He believed that the people were will
ing to pay fair salaries.
Lieutenant Governor Zimmerman
said that the Legislature only made
the suggestion as to 81 and he thought
this body was willing to make sacr!
fees for the common good of the peo
pie. He thought members owed it tc
themselves to pursue a wise and Jus'
policy and accept the 50 per diem.
Mr.. Berry said that when members
accepted the position of delegates they
did it under tacit contract that they
accept the 50 per diem. Members
should not involve themselves in an
| inconsistency by accepting 81 when
they were here to make a constitution
so that the administration of the gov
ernment could be economically done
in the future. =,
Senator Watson of Edgefeld said
that 81 wouldn't pay business man to
quit his business and come here. We
are here as patriots, he said, and he
hoped that a 81 per diem would not
be insisted upon. He could get good
board here for S. per week-just as
good as at home. He hoped the Leg