The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-18
CONVENTIONS IN A CLASH.
SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS
STILL SILT.

The LILY Whites and Regulars Una
BILE to Reach an Agreement and
Each Side Puts n Full Ticket in the
Fleld-SRmpsOn Pope and II. w.
Wallace the Rival Candidates For
Governor.
Columbia, 8. c., Sept 1.-THE twin state
conventions, representing the two fac
tions of the republican party in this state
the Melton faction, known as the union
reorganlzed republican party, and the old
line republicans, which was recognized
by the national convention--were called
to meet to-day In the state house The
Melton wing was called to order at noon
by State Chairman Melton, who urged
the unity CT the two wings but said he
wanted unity with honor
Temporary President w. w. Russell said
1t seemed to him that now in South Caro-
lima more than ever before action and
not talk should be the order of the day.
The prayer of all was for the success Of
the rsorganlzed republicans. He attrib-
uted the temporary defeat Of his party 10
peculiar chain of circumstances. He
was for peace and unity, but with honor.
This is the time that patriotism should
control IL ever 1t was to do so. 1t was
time for every patriot to rise In the cause
OF humanity. He wanted them to act for
the common good.
Mr. Duncan of Newberry introduced a
resolution looking to the appointment. of
a committee on conference, and it was
agreed to.
The convention did not begin Its work
until 80 clock.
The lily whites sent an answer to the
regulars, saying that as it was evident
they did not wish to act with them for
the betterment of the republican party,
the negotiations to that end might be cone
sidered at an end This action was re-
celved with cheers, and a full electoral
ticket was nominated.
George w. Murray here took the floor.
He had an important matter which must
be pressed Immediately IL his people were
to get from under the Infamous constitu-
tion of this state. He held in his hand
what would crush II as II was crushing
them. He then read the act Of congress.
which provided the means whereby tho
several southern states had their repre-
sentation in congress restored 10 them.
By the terms of this act, he claimed, no
United States court, without nullifying
the act, could do otherwise than declare
the South Carolina constitution null ana
void. He had consulted three leading law
firms of Washington, and this was their
opinion.
Murray's statement was received with
loud cheeM He suggested that they ap-
ply to some United States circuit Judge
for a writ of mandamus to compel the
registration of the negro voters of the
state. AS a starter for the fund he gave
his check for 500.
The executive committee was instructed
to push the matter with the least possl-
BILE delay.
The regular" faction met at 2 o'clock,
with e. A. Webster presiding. In his
opening speech Mr.. Webster indicated an
opposition to compromise with the Mel
tonites--they had been turned down, he
said, by the national convention and
could do nothing. ]. T. Dickerson was
elected chairman.
Gen. Smalls suggested that the oonven-
tion was ready to hear overtures. This
was opposed by many, but when 8. r..
Smith appeared from the other conven-
tion he was received. Smith started to
make a speech, but was shut off, being
told to read the document. He persisted
in speaking, and being called down, re-
tired with his paper of peace. The reg
ulars were enraged at the insult. The
convention proceeded TO appoint commit
tees, and then adjourned till o'clock.
E. A. Smith was appointed to confer
with the other convention as to a com
promise. On his return, discounted, he
recommended that another attempt be
made. A committee of seven was there
upon appointed to visit them.
After the recess the first thing done was
the passage of resolutions of sympathy
for Cuba. The conference committee bore
TO the other body an apology for Mr..
Smiths action, and a proposition that
they join issues in the coming fight. In
the interim, the platform was read. II
endorses the st. Louis platform; declares
unalterable opposition to the present sys-
tenn of cheating in elections; opposition
to Tillmanism; condemnation of lynching
A full state ticket of white men, with
Sampson Pope at the head, was nominated
after some discussion. The general opin-
ion was that they had a live organiza-
tion and wanted something to do on cleo
tion day. The regulars here sent in a
communication saying II was out of their
power 10 interfere with nominations to
be made by congressional conventions,
and that q committee of four had al
ready been appointed to select preslden-
tial electors, which would confer with O
proper committee from this convention.
Columbia, s. c.. Sept. 49,, a. m.--The
evening session was opened with the read
ing of the platform, which was rather
lengthy and differed in no particular from
the usual republican platforms.
Then a state ticket was nominated r.
NJ Wallace, white, OF Sumter, is the GU
bernatorial candidate.
The committee from the other conven-
tion inviting a compromise was here re-
ceived, and an equivocal reply, which In
dicated a refusal, was sent. The conven-
tion then named its presidential electors.
and at 12:iO o'clock this morning ad-
journed.
FORCING THE DARDANDLLEs.