The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-29
! HOT DEBATE.
Some Warm Passages in the Lower
House CT Ws6nesaay.
COsGROVE AND WEs2GE NIy.

IN <h4 STATE.


the best part OF "Wednesday discussing
the rediStricting bill. Tie debate
took wide latitude and soI2e Of the
Representatives became almost per-
sonal in their statements.
Mr.. NcGowan opened the debate in
favor OF the bill. lie said We live un-
der a dual government. South Caro-
lima is entitled to seven congressman.
The population is 1900. 900. and the
unit OF representation is $4,000.
Each district should approximate
that number in population. The sew
eral districts should be nearly equal.
He showed the objections to the exist
ing scheme Of districts. There are in
the fourth district nearly 2+5. 600 pe"-
pie. while in another district the popu-
lation is but 100000
He then proceeded to show the mer-
its Of his bill. The fourth district
which he proposes falls about 5000
short in population, but will in a very
few years have the requisite amount.
1t is the greatest manufacturing sec
ton Of the State. There is homo
geneity of peoples. He explained the
formation Of other proposed districts.
The territory is contiguous and the
districts compact, as required by the
Burleigh act Cf congress.
Mr. Weston secured the floor and
told how the gerrymander act was
passed to save South Carolina from
being represented in congress by ne
grOeS. Richland and other counties
had cheerfully consented to be dis
membered in order that they might
help to save the black districts"
That act was drawn by Judge Simon
ton, Gen. McCrady and Mr.. Murray Of
Anderson. The conditions which de-
manded such enacti0n have passed
away, and Richland and other coun-
ties demand that they be restored to
their former alignments. The adyan-
tage to be gained is that one congress
man will not represent 245, ,000 people
and another represent 100, 200. Hedis-
claimed any selfish desire and stated
emphatically that he is not seeking
for congressional honors.
Mr.. Henry J. kinard opposed the
bill. The present arrangement has
saved US, why not let it stay? He
asked Mr.. MCGOWAN what common
bond Of union there is between Pick
ems and Newberry.
Mr.. Tatum asked Nr. Weston if the
Burleigh act requires that districts
shall be of compact territory, etc.
Mr.. Weston after seeing a printed
copy Of the bill in Mr.. Tatum'S posses
sion argued that while the verbiage
may not be mandatory, yet the spirit
of the entire bill is such. The Repub-
licans have been trying to reduce
southern representation. and the
southern States should comply with
the spirit of that act.
Mr.. Efrd said he believed this was
fight of the politicians: that the
people did not demand a change.
When they did he would favor it. He
argued that the act Of congress did
not require any change in the dis
tricts. The present arrangement is
as satisfactory as it is possible to
make. He moved to rec0mmlt the
bill.
Mr.. Carter Of Williamsburg gave
his reasons for favorirg change. His
county under the present law is badly
cut up. the town Of kingStree being
divided between the sixth and seventh
districts.
Nj. J. p. Thomas. Jr.. reStated the
various reasons for favoring redistrict-
ing regardless of any particular mea-
sure. He said it is only justice to the
counties that are now divided between
different districts.
Mr.. Thomas argued that compliance
with the intent Of the Burleigh bill de-
mands change in the districts. The
legislators represent the people OF the
whole State. and should consider
whether it is not best for the whole
people to rediStrict the State. Mr..
Thomas madea spirited and effective
argument.
Then the fun commenced. Mr.. Cos
grove Of Charleston sent up d resolu-
ton that all Of the bills on this subject
be sent to the committee on privileges
and elections with Instructions to the
committee to give one weeks notice OF
the day upon which the bills were to.
be considered.
Mr.. CoSgrove said in support Of this
resolution that the voice Of the peo-
pie" once was the voice Of God" but
is now the voice of a few legislators.
He charged a few men with trying to
run roughshOd over the wishes Of the
people. He had passed the judiciary
committee room and had seen men
pointing at map with ruler and
saving that they would put Charles
ton here" or put Charleston there. ;"
There were intimations that the peo-
pie Of Charleston even speak differ
ent dialect. He protested against this
alleged miStreatment Of Charleston.
Why was not the bill introduced
through the committee Oh privileges
and elections?
Mr. Weston replied in very spirit
ed manner. He had served in the
general assembly for years. and he had
never before had such charge
brought against him. He repudiated
the suggestion that no new idea could
originate except through the commit
tee on privileges and elections. 1t is
his right to introduce a bill if he wants
to do so, and he is not compelled to
submit it to the committee On priri-
leges and elections caucus. The
politics Of the upcountry is not rcgu-
lated by caucuses. he said polnted!y
- He had introduced the bill properly
and it had.been referred to the judicl-
ary committee. He was willing 1or
the records Of the authors Of the re-
districting bills to be compared with
that Of Mr.. C0SgrOvc. II he had TO