The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-23
CAROLINA'S CONSTITUTION
WILL DE THE BEST EVER FRAMED
IN ANY STATE,

of the Vice President Also Given.
Features of the Proposed New Con-
stitutiOn Include Wise Provisions
Relating TO Terms of ONCE, the
Suffrage, the judiciary, Powers of
Corporations, Marriage and DI-
vOrce and Allowing women 10
Vote in Municipal EIectiOns-MOst
Important Matters Practically Al
ready Agreed Upon and the Con-
vention win Soon Finish Iss In
bors.
Columbia, S. c., Sept. 22.-without the
slightest intimation of coming hurri-
cane, without a word of warning-as to-
tally unexpected as was the great earth
quake of some years ago came the per-
feet cyclone of words and sensational
isms that characterized the opening day
of the second week of the session OF the
constitutional convention last week. So
far as man could foresee there was every
indication that the week would open with
perfect tranquility and that the tender
trees Of peace and harmony planted in
the political field Of South Carolina would
rapidly take deep root and grow to
staunch dimensions. But late Sunday night
little speck appeared on the horizon over
in the direction OF Edgeheld. Its name was
Saluda, and Tillmanic breezes were brush
ing ii onward. But lis useless to speak
of its dimensions when It struck the con-
vention hall and overturned the newly
planted trees. Everybody is perfectly ra-
miliar with what transpired on that most
sensational day. And then there came
the second storm. in which the State
(newspaper figured. In the last two days
Of the second week the convention has
accomplished more toward the purpose
for which it was called--the framing of
a constitution-than It has in all the fort
night preceding.
The convention is now In a position
where it can go ahead and do the work
for which It was called-proceed TO make
a new constitution for the state OF South
Carolina, that shall be in keeping with
the wishes Of the leading men of the domi-
nant element.
The convention will probably start to
work on the most important committee
report Immediately upon assembling to-
morrow morning, and from that time on
ward, night, as well as day, sessions may
be looked for. Many Of the sections Of
some Of the leading articles reported win
go throug without any debate TO amount
to anything.
The third week opens with practically
every idea that will be advanced already
presented to the convention and the pub
lie. Ready the only thing that has re-
mained in the dark thus far has been the
accepted suffrage plan; and for several
months IL has been pretty well under
stood what that plan Will be. Now, how
ever, by glance at the interview with
Gov. Evans, who Is president of the con-
Nention all doubt as TO what the plan Is,
has been removed.
The resolutions that come In tomorrow
when the limit is up for introducing new
schemes and suggestions will hardly even
gey reference TO a standing committee.
All the work from this time on will be
devoted to the consideration of the re-
ports Of The several committees, nearly
all of the most important of which have
been presented, and to the consideration
Vf amendments that might be suggested
from the floor of the convention. SO far
absolutely the only thing accomplished
by the convention has been the establish
ment OF Saluda county, the adoption Of
the resolution rebuking the editor OF the
state, and the awarding of the conVen-
ton printing to Charles A. calvo.
Many are expecting that the sessions
Of the convention will continue through
at least three weeks more
Some radical changes have been rec
commended by the several committees
which have so far reported. There is
the provision changing the terms of
office of state officers and members Of the
general assembly; the provision for gen.
eral laws on the matter of chartering
enterprises; the provision giving the
governor the power TO veto part OF
a bill; the provision for a state board OF
pardons; the provision for manhood and
woman suffrage on a property qualifica-
ton in municipal elections affecting tho
issue of bonds etc, and so on.
Very little light has yet been thrown
upon the probable scheme for reorgan-
izing the Judiciary and for dealing with
corporations The new county scheme
providing for the reduction Of the area
Is rocking along, and Is sure to go through
in one form or another
Gov Evans, when asked last night for
an interview for the Southern Associated
Press, giving a summary of the c0nven-
tions work to date and forecast of the
work In view, spoke as follows. and what
he says In view of his relations to the
majority side. is, Of course, a matter of
widespread interest.
''The work of the convention so far has
been preliminary, and in COMMITTEES, but
judging from the reports Of the commit
tees filed up TO this time, l am satisfied
that there will be very little wrangling and
that the work will be harmoniously COM
pleted. And | believe that it will be the
best constitution ever gotten for any state.
There is some little tendency toward
legislating too much, but l believe that
that will be expunged by the convention
as a whole, and that they will be governed
by the general principles of government
and not by matters of legislation.
1.-The committee reports will necessarily
have great force, and they seem to have
been framed with very great care; and
the chances are that they will be passed
with but very few changes. The most inn
portant committees are agreed unanimous
ly / am informed, including the suffrage
committee and the articles upon which we
expected most debate bid fair to be adopt
ed with but very little change from the
committee reports.
q see no reason why the convention
should continue in session longer than Oc-
tober certainly not longer than Oct. z.
LAS to the suffrage plan, there is but
one door open for us, and that will be
the unanimous report Of the suffrage COM
mittee l believe that the vast majority
of the members are ready to accept II
now, but Of course there VIII be some de-
bate by one or two members who have pet
schemes What l mean is the Mississippi
plan with a very few notifications. That
Is that we will provide that any person
aggrieved shall have a remedy by a direct
appeal to the courts leaving to the Leg
isiature to provide the manner Of holding
and conducting elections.
This report WILL Of course, preserve
the eight box law and registration as now
provided.
q am sorry to see that the majority of
the committee on executive departments
refuse to join in recommending giving to
the governor power to remove default
ing officers. / am satisfied, however,
that the good sense of the majority Of
the convention win prevail and the mi
nority report will be adopted in this par
ticular. II Is ridiculous to say that the
governor shall see that the laws are prop
erly enforced, and give him dishonest
and Incompetent officials TO enforce them
rvft n M f,rftyor fo rarr1ovo or even arfepapd