The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-25
The Convention Monday.
The Last Of The Resolutions.

Inc AaSC Oh Inc h0SCluClOuS.
The day was spent in systematic
work; the most important matter un-
der consideration being the report of
the committee on the Executive de-
partment. This being the last day
for the introduction of resolutions and
ordinances, the delegates who had
measures which they desire to pro.
pose, put them before the convention
in rush.
In the consideration of the report
of the committee on the executive de-
partment, the length of the term Of
Office of the Governor excited the
most interesting debate Quite a
number Of delegates participated in
the debate, and many arguments for
and against lengthening the term to
four years were advanced. On yea
and nay vote it was decided to make
the term two years. The vote stood
81 to Al. Senator Tillman made a
strong speech in favor OF the two
year term.
The resolutions and ordinances
were referred to the standing COM
mittees
The following memorials were pre-
sented /:
AIKEN, 5. c., Sept u, 1895
Governor j. 6. Evans and the
Hon. w. j. Talbert-Gentlemen
We. the undersigned Confederate
veterans, pray you to submit our Pc
titiou to the convention, asking that
the pension Of the wounded be doub-
led, as the present pay is only $2l or
S22 \ few more years and we will
all have crossed over the river
South Carolina can well afford to pay
her wounded Confederate soldiers
$50. as Georgia pays hers that
amount aud even more
We hope you will attend to this
for us, and oblise, very truly, John
N Bell. Dock Owen, 5. Z. Owens.
James Day, 4 5. Courtney. john
Ripley, 4 G. Ripley, } }. Fulmer,
c J Riley, Stephen Meyers. NJ. a
Mattox. Wm. Friday, Vim. William
son, James J. CenteI, john ".
Owens, James D. Green, Mattison
Alexander. Eldrcd Posey.
T. E. Miller presented the follow
ing petition Of citizens Of Sumter
County, which was referred to the
committee on the suffrage:
To the honorable Constitutional Con
vention Of South Carolina
We, the undersigned petitioners,
respectfully represent that we are
citizens of the State of South Caro-
lima, and reside 10 the city OF Sam.
ter, Sumter County We recognize
the fact that the ballot, honestly
regulated, is the safeguard of our
American institutions, aud upon it
depends the prosperity and happi-
ness of all the people of our CON.
monwealth.
Debased or degraded by vicious
or immoral class. it becomes All evil.
dangerous, It is true, but always
capable OF correction by intelligence
and virtue. but corrupted or tainted
by frauds or dishonesty, it becomes
more terrible in its results than
pestilence or war 1t h'ights with
its pol!uting touch every strata cf
society, reaching from the highest
officials to the humblest citizen;
corruption, dishonesty, perjury and
every species of crimes, becomes /.
Jest and pastime.
For these reasons. and many
Others, equally weigh;y aud impor
tant, we humbly petition and re-
specially ask that your honorable
body strike out and refuse to in
corporate in the organic law of the
State that portion of section 16, OF
article =, reported from the COM
mittee on corporations and police
regulations, which reads as follows:
"Or who can explain the same
satisfactorily when read TO aim
These words contain in themselves
the elements Of fraud To a board,
perhaps partisan. it will be left to
decide whether the applicant, for the
right of suffrage, satisfactorily ex-
plains the clause read to him, and
in the exercise of this power, to
decide voters qualification, the
foodgates Of party discrimination,
fraud and CORRUPTION, will be thrown
wide open.
We further respectfully ask that
whatever regulations be imposed
upon the exercise of the right of
suffrage, they be uniform. impartial,
fair and Interchangeable and unequivo
cal standard. And your petitioners
will ever pray. (Signed. w. 7.
An1ro,ps Nm r. Smith J e.