The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-04-15
Executive Committee Wabble and
Straddles
Columbia State, Aprtl 9Th.

1.-THE State Democratic Executive Com
mittee' met in the Senate chamber at
500 last night.
It was generally known that there
would be q trial of strength between Sem
ators Irby and Tillman as to whether or
not a test of Democracy should be re-
uuired in the reorganization club meet
ings, and the interest wa great. There
were but two %absentees, and as 1t was
understood the proceedings would be
open, O large number OF citizens were
present.
State Chairman Irby called the meeting
to order. Before ordering the roll call,
he made q statement, as follows:
"I have thought it best to call q meet
ing of the committee-the guardians and
trustees OF the Democratic party-for two
reasons:
First, this is a Presidential year. and
there is some ambiguity in the constitu'
ton as to the time for holding club meet
ings. This is the most important matter
that has come before the executive COM
mittee on 9 Presidential year since '76.
hone you will construe that section Of
the Constitution and fix tho time for
holding club meetings-say OF the first
Monday in May, the county conventions
on the second Monday, and the State con-
vention will be held On the third Wednes-
day in May.
The second reason was one, said Soma
tor Irby, that is Of vital Importance to
the Democracy of this State and nation.
He made reference to the work OF the ex-
ecutive committee in '76 when Judge
Haskell was chairman named the dis
tinpuished predecessors in his office from
that year until 1890, when he had been
put at the head Of the COMMITTEES. The
committee in all those years had worked
for the best interests of the party q had
secured and maintained IN honest State
government. Was this committee going
to fail the party at this time; was this
committee going to ignore the threaten
ing danger until it was too later
1--WE are here to-night-it 10 no use to
dodge it., no uss to wink at tive are
here tonight as Democrats or as bolters.
We are here as the SUCCESSORS of the
Democratic party of'76. We hsve reach-
ed q crisis. Under other circumstances
I might not mention some Of the things
T am going to allude to, but I feel 1t my
duty to do so. We, and especially my.
self, took this machinery Ia 1880 under
the promise that we were Democrats and
would remain Democrats. II we remain
true to that, let us see that Inc party Is
fortified and protected. :,
"It has been threatened. How has 1t
been threatened7 First, by the Conserve.
tive faction ; they measured lances with
as and were defeated. But, gentlemen,
it is threatened now in another quarter
and moro seriously. It is threatened by
one OF the most distinguished Democrats
in the party, and who has been the great
est beneficiary of the party. We are told
that if this little State don't get what she
wants, her 1S men will not stsnd by the
nomination. They will say that to the
800 or 900 representatives OF great party.
What Q position that puts us in!
SIT Is not honest; 1t is not honorable TO
exact that q certain faction In this State
should abide by the result, and then for
those who e1acted that pledge TO now re-
fuse to make a similar pledge OF their W
loyalty to the party"
AT the conclusion Of Senator Irby's re-
marks, the roll was called. Mr.. I. }.
Kirkland Of Kershaw, who was absent,
sent q letter, saying he and KershaU
county favored abiding the verdict OF the
Democratic national convention.
Mr.. W. D. Evans here took the floor
and said that for reasons outlined in Sen
stor Irby's remarks and others, he
thought the committee should meet in
executive session. Enemies of Demo-
cracy should not know the secrets Of the
party. Ifthere were wounds let them be
healed in the party.
M. P. 81. Gadsden favored leaving the
doors open. "What occurs here is OF
vital importance to the Democrats OF
South Carolina, whom this committee is
here to represent" Besides, said Mr.
Gadsden, it 10 impossible to keep secret
what goes on in committee and 1t would
be better to let representatives ofthe press
remain here and get an accurate report
than have to use the garbled accounts
given them by members Of the commit
tee.
Chairman Irby put the vote, but was in
doubt, and the ayes and noes were called
on Mr.. Evans notion resulting as fol-
lows:
Ayes-J. Y. Jones, W. H. Jordon. ]. P.
Glenn, g.. G. Mayfeld, r. 81. Sweeney,
g.. J. Redfearn. D. j. Bradham. R. B.
Watson. T. W. Traylor, r. M. McCown,
M. 3. McSweeney, J. P. Derham, J.. G.
| Elliott, G. NJ. E6rd, J.. D Montgomery,
w. D. Evans, j. A. Sigh, ]. r. Earle, o.
r. Lowman, T.IC. Robinson, Bennett,
A. @. Lyles, A. 81. Williams+24.
Noes-Thos. Martin, P. III. Gadsdep, q.
J.. Cunningham, J. a.. PARROT, j. ".
Gray. J. Z. M. Irby, Willie Jones, D. E.
Keels, W. r. Jackson-9.
The press and public then took their
hats and departed and the doors wers
locked.
It was in secret session that the fire.
works were set of and some hair was
singed. The "Tillman idea" wa cham
ploned by Rev. J. a. Sigh, d. J. Brad
ham and others, Mr.. Sigh taking the
lead and making four or five speeches.
Senator Irby is said to have made one
Of the hest speeches Of his life, and he
was actively supported in his fight by
Mr.. Gadsden and Gen. Gray.
Mr.. Sigh caused the first discussion
by introducing this resolution:
"Whereas, since this executive commit
tee is acting under authority delegated to
it by the Democratic party Of South Car.
olina snd therefore possess no original
powers, be it
MResolved, That, in the opinion OF this
executive committee that 1t would be
t~ranscending its powers TO undertake to
decide issues and questions which belong
appropriately to the Democratic State
Convention.
"That it Is furthermore the opinion Of
this committee that 1t Is unwise eYen to
discuss all such issues and questions
since it would be In effort to forestall the
action of the sovereignty of the people.
"And furthermore that the only duty
this executive committee can properly
perform is to direct the reorganization Of
the local Democratic clubs and the hold
ing Of county conventions and that of the
State conventions."
MI. Sigh spoke to this resolution.
AS representing the other side, General
Gray offered thisy
"Whereas, an issue has been raised
questioning the loyalty Of the Democracy
Of South Carolina to the national Demo-
cratic party and whereas q suggestion
has been made that the delegates to the
National Democratic Convention from this
State should bolt the National Democratic
Convention in certain contingencies and
whereas the State Democratic executive
committee considers that it would be sui
cidal on the part Of the Democracy Of
South Carolina to sever its connection
with the national Democracy-noW there
fore, be it
"Resolved, That it is the sense Of CHS
committee that no person shall be eligible
to membership in the Democratic clubs
who is rot a qualified voter at the pri-
meries Of the party as provided by the
constitution OF the party and who will
not pledge himself TO support the nomi.
nees Of the State and National Democra-
cy."
It was to this Senator Irby made his
speech. He was more plain spoken as to
the conduct and purposes of Senator Till
man than on any other occasion. He
intimated strongly that members Of the