The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-04-16
State Dem: Ex. Com.
NO DECIDED ACTION IS TAKEN.
Chairmnh irDy Stands Square Against
Bolting-Thc May Convention Must
Decide the Question.
Columbia Register.

Democratic Executive Committee to
the State Democratic Convention.
That, in two short paragraphs, was
the action OF the executive committee
last night.
Those who watched the proceedings
carefully bclicve that u majority Of the
committee are opposed to bolt, but
that some of that majority were OPP
posed to fight on the issue at this
time and SO forced Il stand-Otf.
Many OF the committeeman were in
town all yesterday morning and innum-
cradle caucuscs and consul tatiOns were
hold. The committee met ortly af-
ter 8 p. m. in the Senate chamber.
Tho following were present at the
meeting: j. Y. Jones, Abbeville; w.
Nj. Jordan, Aiken; J. p. Glenn, Andcr
son S. G.. MayGeld, Barnwell Thomas
Martin, Beaufort; II. r.. Sweeney,
Berkeley; =. II. Gadsden, Charleston !;
". j. Cunningham, Chester g. j. Red
foarn, Chesterfield d. j. Brabham,
Clarendon j. N. Parrott, Darlington !;
II. b. Watson, Edgelield; Thomas w.
Traylor, Fairfield; II. Nj. McCown,
Florence; j. w. Gray, Greenville; j.
p. De"ham, Horny Nj. B. McSwcenoy,
Hampton; J. G. Elliott, Lancaster; j..
l.. Nj. Irby, Laurcns ; G.. Nj. Efrd, Lex
ington J. ID. Montgomery, Marion !;
w. ID. Evans, Marlboro j. a. Sigh,
New berry }. II. Earle, Oconee !; O. r..
Lowman, Orangeburg IT. c.. Robinson,
Pickens Willie Jones, Richland ID.
l.. Bennett, Spartanburg; ID. T.. keels,
Sumter: a. &. Lylcs, Union; }. II.
Jackson, York. Col!oton, Georgetown
and Kcrshaw were unrcprcsentcd. ".
j. Kirkland, the member from Ker-
shaw, photographed that circumstances
over which he lad no control prevent
cd his after dance, but that he and his
county were going 10 stand by the ma
tional Democracy. Nj. l.. Donaldson
Of Grcenvilic, ). c., member Of the
National Democratic Executive Com
mittcc, was present and sat with the
cumMittee. Mr.. Tompkins, the secre-
tary OF the committee, and Major u.
II. Brooks, who was assisting the treas
urer, were also present.
Chairman lrhy explained how under
the party constitution it was necessary
for the State Democratic Executive
Committee to meet. He showed that
there was q coullict in the constitu-
tion, parts looking to holding club
meetings on the first Monday in May
and other parts looking to the holding
of the County Democratic Conventions
on that day: He thought the commit
tee ought to decide this Question by
providing for the holding of club meet
ings on tho first Monday in May and
county conventions on the second Mon
day, while the State convention, under
the constitution, meets on the third
Wednesday.
Then he touched upon the vital is
sue Of the day. He said the Damocra-
cy Of the committee had been ques-
toned since 1890, hut it was the only
Democratic committee in the State
and tho legal successors Of the COM
mlttee which rescued the State in
1876. He said the committee were
either here us Democrats, or as boilers
and traitors. On other occasions, such
remarks would not be necessary, but
the threats OF split and bolt made it
necessary to meet the issue fairly and
squarcly. He would speak out. The
committee had come into possession of
the machinery under a written pledge
to the people that they were Demo
Gratis. II they we're not Democrats, if
they wanted to desert, let them do so
boldly and openly and straig ightforward-
ly. How had dcscrtion been threaten
ed? The Conservatives had tried in
dcpendentism and boiling and been
beaten. But now a greater danger
threatened. The Democracy is threat
ened bya distinguished Democrat, who
has been one OF the greatest leaders
IN the State since the war. He had
said that If this State did not get what
she wanted in the national convention,
her eighteen representatives would
say to the four hundred and odd other
members that they would not submit
to ma j0rity rule. Elc denounced this
proposition and said there was onty one
honorable way to do, to 60 to Chicago
and submit to the will of the ma iority,
whether that will coincide with the
wishes OF the South Carolina Demo
Gratis or not.
Mr.. d. II. Tompkins, the secretary
of the committee. then called the roll.
Several substitutes presented their
credentials.
Then came q fight to exclude tho
public from the meeting.
Mr.. Evans said in view OF the is-
sues raised by the chairman $ address,
the committee ought to meet in cXecu-
tive session. He moved that this be
done.
Mr.. Bradham seconded the motion.
Mr. Gadsdon opposed tie motion, for
all democrats were vitality interested
ana shoul bo given full opportunity
10 know now their representatives met
their trust. He thought it better that
the press get the doings of the com
mltteo straight than some rarblcC &C,
count furnished after it adjourned by
some member. =
The vote resulted in favor of an ex.
ecutive session, as follows:
. .Yeas-J. OY. Jones, Jordan. GIcnn
Mayfeld, Sweeney, Redfearn, Brad
ham, Watson, Traylor, McCown, Me-
Sweeney, Derham, Elliott. EGrd
Evans, Montgomery, Sligh. Earlo
Lowman, Bennett, Lyles. Black we'll
Donaldson, Jackson-2l.
Nays Martin, Gadsden, Cunnino
ham, Parrot, Gray, Irby, Wilio Jones
Kcels-8.
After the hall was vacated bv tb,
spectators, Messrs. McSweeney an,
Gray made fight to have the news
paper men allowed to rcmain in tn,
meeting. Messrs. Evans and Lowma
made speeches in opposition, and tn,
newspaper men were kept out.
After the reporters were excluded
Mr.. Sligh introduced the following re
solution:
Whereas since this executive com
mittce is acting under authority dole
gated 10 it by the Democratic party O