The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-08-20

ward. To this day s'Dan' Henderson
wears with pride a gold watch chain
presented to him by the people of Rhis
county in recognition of his services
in the Ellenton trial.
AS A LEGISLATIVE LEADER.
In 1875 the successful practitioner
declined the nomination for the State
Senate. BE was too young to be eligi-
BILE for the Office he was offered. How
ever, in 1880, D. S. Henderson, then
fully recognized as leader in public
affairs in his part of the State, was
elected to che Senate Of the General
Assembly of South Carolina, in the
first primary ever held in Aiken coun-
ty.
During his first term he was one of
the foremost debaters in the Senate,
and was active in securing the passage
of several laws relating intimately to
the welfare of the State.
Duelling was then rife in South Car
olina. Men fought at the drop Of. a
hat, upon lfancied insults, with Sec
onds, and all the formalities of the
code duello. Henderson was the au-
thor of the famous duelling oath, in
corporated into the oath Of public
Office in South Carolina, intended to
extirpate this evil. The first act ever
passed in this State providing for the
creation of Railroad Commission was
championed and advocated by D. S.
Henderson. This act was the origin
of the present Railroad Commission,
possessing as it does powers OF far
reaching character relating to the reg
ulation of railroads and freights. The
concealed weapon law,-the eight box
election law, by which white mans
government was perpetuated IN South
Carolina,-with all this important
legislation State Senator Henderson
was actively identified.
His business affairs multiplied with
such. rapidity that in 1884 Henderson
voluntarily retired from the State Sen
ate. The same year he was member
of the South Carolina delegation to
the National Democratic Convention
at Chicago For ten years following
his Withdrawal from the General As
sembly ne devoted himself to the prac-
tice of law. During this time he was
only once candidate for Office. This
was in the famous congressional con-
vention in which George D. Tillman
was nominated after hundreds of bal
lots had been cast.
The contention lasted for more than
three weeks. From the beginning to
the end of this memorable contest
Aiken county solidly supported her
favorite son.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL. CONVEN
TION.
In 1895 the Reform and Conservative
factions divided the Democratic. Party
in South Carolina The party leaders
determined to make an effort to heal
the breach existing in the party ranks.
Henderson was sent to the Constltu-
tional Convention. He was supported
by both divisions of the party as a
leader having at heart the interests OF
the whole State. In this memorable
body Henderson took front rank as
legislator and statesman. As chair
man OF the Committee on Municipal
Corporations and Police Regulations
he aided in framing the sections Of the
State Constitution relating to the
LIQUOR question, and having in view
the elimination of barrooms, and the
management of cities and towns. He
assumed prominent part in the argu-
ment of public affairs, especially in
the debates upon suffrage and educa--
tion. The convention was composed
Of the representative public men of
South Carolina. The senator from
Aiken county was easily one OF the
teadiest and most logical debaters in
the whole assmebly.
AS STATE SENATOR IN RECENT
YEARS.
In 1896 and again in 1900 Henderson
was returned to the State Senate with
over whelming majorities. During
these sessions he has served with dis
tinction in the upper branch OF the
Legislature. He has been instrument
al in securing the enactment of legisla-
tion of lasting Importance: The re-
formation of the County Government
Law: the equalization OF the taxes OF
the cotton mills and fertilizer fzcto-
ries all this has been largely the
result of the untiring diligence and
public works of the senator from
Aiken The latter act alone,
to the cotton mills and fertilizer
plants,-of which act he was the au,
thor, has put upon the tax books OF
the State full $1,000, 900 of taxable
property. He was strong advocate
of the Separate Coach Bill.
At the latest session of the General
Assembly Senator Henderson vigorous
ly supported the passage OF the Anti.
Trust Law, ore OF the most important
enactments at this session. IN MS
entire public career he has been the
champion of popular education, reallz-
ing in what large degree the future
welfare Of the State is dependant upon
the proper maintenance Of our colleges
and public schools. His leadership IN
this cause is attested by his position
as Chairman of the Committee on
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