The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-18

ciarv should be we'll guarded. See
that it is placed on so high pinnacle
that it will remain spotless so no one
can dishonor or disgrace it: 1t seems
to me that it would be best for the peo
pie to elect the judges. This has
proved a blessing in majority OF
cases where it has been tried.
AS our county courts are at present
constituted they are almost a farce.
They are expensive and fail to meet
the requirements of the people. With
counties large enough to support them
land counties should not be too smalD
monthly county courts with JurldIc'
ton to send convicts directly to the
chain-gang would give justice and al
the same time as good roads as can
be found in the world.
The question of education is the
most serious one to deal with. 1t is OF
more importance than the suffrage, be-
cause by education our best citizens
are obtained. The beginning of citi-
zen is made at home but. after he
leaves it for the school, the schoolmas'
| ter becomes the most important per
sonage in the government. The hap
piest people are those educated. See
that to the masses is preserved the
privilege of education. Higher educa'
ton is asimportant as common school.
One is part of the other. A common
school education makes demand for
higher and it is your duty to support
institutions of higher learning. See
that no lights are put out. Rather see
that more are established. The great
mass of the people will never quarrel
over taxation for education because
they know they will derive direct
benefit.
There must be some educational
qualification for the suffrage if white
supremacy is to be preserved. Only
Intelligence must rule and it is no inJus-
tice to the black man to have such a
qualification. We must do our duty
in this matter. Let not the censure OF
foreigners and aliens affect you in
performing this duty. You have ex-
perienced what ignorant rule means.
On this question there should be no
lfactional differences and he who does
not deprecate such is unworthy to
stand in this hall. Fix it as in your
Judgment appears wisest, but fix it so
that the blessings of white supremacy
may be enjoyed by your wives and
children. Guard well the suffrage. II
is expected of you by the outside
world.
Some provision must be made to
protect the people against the en-
croachments of corporate wealth.
against plutocracy. Corporations in
lSouth Carolina are becoming power,
lful.. Your laws offer special induc'
ments for them to operate in the State
and while you owe duty tothem you
owe it to the people as we'll. The
people in our factories are not anarch-
lists, socialists or foreigners, but are
native born. You should see to it that
| in their poverty they are not op'
pressed. Whether a special officer
should be appointed to look after this
| is to be considered and think the
small salary he would be paid would
be fully compensated for by the good
he would accomplish.
Especially should some provisions be
made against corrupt influences in
elections In: municipalities there is
generally corruption and dishonest
means used in elections. 1t is your
duty to see that municipalities have
as honest and fair elections as you
have in your State elections.
With these reflections 1 leave the
questions with you, asking your par;
don for giving you my opinions. l
give them to you as duty and not
to influence you. Looking at the per-
sonnel of the convention no man can
say the people have not acted wisely
| in sending you here. Almighty God
send you wisdom and imbue you with
Justice and moderation. Let your
work 20 forth not as the work OF
a faction, but as coming from the
sovereignty of the State around which
all can unite and say 'this is our con,
lstitution" and then you will receive the
1"well done faithful servants" of the
whole people.
ORGANIZATION RESUMED.
The work of decting permanent Of
ficers was resumed and the following
were nominated. for reading clerk: G.
Walt. Whitman, of Union; A. d.
Dagnall of Darlington and j. 5.
lWithers of Chester. The three took
turns at reading portions of the pres
ent constitution. By viva voce vote
Mr.. Dagnall was elected, receiving "a
votes to Whitmans' II and Withers' 81.
Gov. Sheppard reported what the
special committee on committees had
agreed upon. It was to this effect:
In order to expedite the business of the
convention the Presidents authorized
| to appoint standing committees, con,
sisting of eleven members each, on the
following subjects, and said commit
tees shall report to the convention on
matters referred to them: Declaration
of Rights; Legislative; Executive; Ju'
dietary; Jurisprudence; Eminent Do
main; Impeachments; Right of Suf'
frage; Finance and Taxation; Educa'
ton; Charitable and Penal Institu
ltions; Municipalities and Police; Cor
porations; Militia; Printing; County
and County Governments; Amend:
lments to the Constitution; Engrosseo
Resolutions and Ordinances; Current
Accounts and Expenses; Mlscellane
Gus Matters, and, also, committee or
rules to consist of five mem
| bers, of which the President
shall be exofficio a member. The re
port was adopted, and the following
committees appointed:
Declaration OF Rights; L. M. II