Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-17
LILLY WHITE. CONVENTION.
Melton Republica ns Getting Ready For the
Approaching Convention.

Melton Republica ms Getting Ready for tue
Approaching Convention.
The Lilly White, or Melton faction
of the Republican party in this State
held its State convention in Columbis
last Tuesday. Every county in the
State was represented, and the daily
papers agree in the opinion that it was
the most formidable looking Republi'
can convention that has assembled in
this State for years.
The convention was call to order by
State Chairman Melton. Clarence s.
Nettles, a new convert from Darling.
ton, was elected temporary chairman
and after the temporary organization
was effected, DR.. Sampson Pope, OF
Newberry, was chosen permanent
chairman by reclamation.
On taking the chair, DR.. Pope made
a long and bitter speech, in which he
severely arraigned Senator Tillman
and the Reform movement. He claimed
that there is a sore need for change
in the administration of the affairs Of
the State and advocated the nomination
of State and county tickets from gov
ernor down to coroner.
The committe on platform reported
the following, which was adopted:
We. the Republicans of South Carolina,
in convention assembled, reaffirm our ad
berence to the time-honored principles OF
the national party that is to say:
First. We are in favor of fmoderate and
reasonable protection for home labor and
home capital, against the cheaper labor
and cheaper capital of other countries, and
of such reciprocal commercial arrange
ments with other countries as may be nec'
essary to foster and extend our foreign
trade.
Second. We are in favor of maintaining
the present monetary standard until some
satisfactory ratio between the hard money
metals can be reached by international
agreement.
ment service based on merit and character
and capacity, and not on the corrupt and
debasing Jacksonian system OF ITO the
victors belong the spoils." But, while as
Republicans, we heartily endorse the
above principles as highly important
from national point of view, what is o1
vastly more Importance to us and to all
good citizens here in South Carolina IS to
Secure fair and honest elections and to get
rid or our present arbitrary and despotlc
factional State government with all its ac'
companying evils. We, therefore, reaffirm
our purpose to use every proper and equl'
table means to have our new constitution
set aside, as in conflict with the constltu-
ton and laws of the United States. We
admit that it has certain good points In it.
notably its improved educational facilities
and its provision against lynching.
But it is tainted with fraud in its origin
it is fraudulent in it's character and frau
dulent in that it was foisted upon the
State without adoption by popular vote
We. therefore, hold that neither congress
nor the federal courts ought to recognize
its validity. We, also declare our most
emphatic opposition to the entire brood o
iniuuities imposed on the State by the
dominant faction and pledge the Republic
can party to remove them as rapidly as
possible, ifput in a position to do So: we
are opposed to the metropolitan police II
Charleston or elsewhere, and we pledge
its immediate suspension if given the
necessary authority. We are opposed
to the State constabulary and pledge
its prompt dissolution. We are, op'
posed to the dispensary law, and pledge
its prompt repeal, or Fundamental
modification, so as to remove a stigma