The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-05-22

COnSllLutlOllal cONESilllOH, aEu IL.
each candidate stand on his merits.
There was considerable discussion
on the matters brought up for consld,
Grafton. The first part OF the night
was devoted to a long discussion as to
the force and effect Of Gotf's decision
insofar as It affected the Constitution
al convention act. This was one occa-
sion when every one did not thinkthe
same way. and the proceedings soon
resolved themselves into q big fight as
towhether or not the committee should
ins,;e. ",>~.- "!'~ Co'..uors ca!llnG ail
extra session Of the Legislature. The
arguments showedthat q large mum,
Der Of the committeeman were perfect
ly at sea rs to what course of action
they should pursue.
Irby and others were in for demand
ing that the Governor call an extra
session of the Legislature. to repeal the
portion Of the Constitutional conven.
ton act calling for registration OF
voters. There weer several on the 9th
er hand who thought otherwise, and
believed that the fact that Golf had de-
clared there should be no registration
made the conventions constitutionall-
ty stronger than ever and materially
lessened the chance Of any attack be-
ing made on any constitution that
might be adopted IN other words,
these speakers took the position that
they would 90 ahead and carry out
the terms of Goti's injunction to the
letter and be in all the better shape
for it.
The committee after fully discuss,
ing the situation in this regard decided
that it was best to hear from Govern
or Evans himself, and get the counsel
of Senator Tillman. W. D. Evans
was sent out for them and they came
in. Governor Evans made a stirring
speech taking the position directly con
trarv to that taken by Irby. II ne
could see how the Legislature could
DO anything he would call them to-
gather. He thought the people had
the sovereign right to say that they
would have constitutional conven-
ton. They had said they wanted it
and it must be held. If the Legisla-
ture simply fixed the date that was
enough. Anything that might be done
by the General Assembly would, if
knocked out by the courts, have no
effect on the holding OF the conven-
ton. There was no way for the State
to get the matter into the Supreme
Courts. in time to have decision.
Again, if the Legislature made new
registration provision, it could be
taken into the court and hung up till
the time for the holding of the con-
vention had expired and the conven-
ton would fall by limitation.
Senator Irby remarked that they
wanted the convention held, but they
wanted it held under registration to
avoid a blood and CUTS campaign,
which would have to come otherwise.
He also remarked that there was plen-
tv of time for the discussion as to what
plan the Legislature could best adopt:
they could pass an act that the United
States authorities would not dare
touch.
Mr.. Finley asked the Governor if he
did not think that an election held
without auy registration would be an
election by mob. Evans could not
see it that way.
Senator Irby then asked Governor
Evans: Then, do I understand you
to say YOU won't call the Legislature
if this committee asks you to do SO:
Governor Evans in reply said: No,
I have said nothing of the kind. When
the request is made of me, l will give
it my consideration.
Senator Tillman was the next speak,
er of note. He regarded the situation
as it was as the very best, and argued
along the same line as Governor
Evans. He said that if they made
any attempt to legislate on this ques,
ton the United States Court could
come along ard knock them out again.
He thought the best thing for the State
would be for the white people Of both
factions to get together. He went on
to speak of the bad consequences OF
any other course and said there would
be blood and CUTS campaign and
there would simply be a hell broke
loose in Georgia with the devil tax
ing the hindmost. He said moreover
that if Golf went any further in this
matter he for one would advocate open
rebellion. If they went ahead and
obeyed Goff's order. no one could come
and say fair election was not held.
The best thing to do, in his opinion,
was to thoroughly organize the party
and put good men to watching the ne
gro and the enemy. He believed that
this was one supreme issue that would
level all factional differences, and all
the white people would ally them
selves with each other and forget for
the time being all factional differences.
The purpose was to hold a white man S
Mr.. Efrd had good deal to say in
support of the position taken by Cover
nor Evans and Senator Tillman, and
said if a square white mans primary
was given they would find everything
all right. There were very few men
like Dargan and Gonzales.
Governor Evans said this convention
had 10 be held; he was bound by his
oath of office to see that it was held
and ne proposed to do so. He also
held that if part OF the convention act
was repealed the whole would be re-
pealed.
\ strong effort was made to appoint
q subcommittee with power to ask the
Governor to call the Legislature, if 1t
saw fit. Irby said the committee did
not propose to dictate to the Governor,
but they had appealed to him as the
chief executive cf the State to provide
the means whereby they could hold
a square and honest election. The
extra session matter then seemed TO
die of its own weight.
Mr.. McSweeneY made the simple
announcement that Hampton coun-
ty would send only white men to the
Several other announce
y