The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-04-09
THE DEMOCRACY.
Meeting of the State Executive Com
mittee in Columbia.
SENATOR TILLMAN ATTENDED.
Some Wanted the Convention Held in
Charleston, but the Committee
Decided to Meet In
CpInnhia
Columbia.

COlnlnlUUee HeU III COlumDla lnurSuay
night and fixed the date for the State
convention. Twenty-six out of forty
counties were represented. Senator
Tillman was present by virtue of his
position as member of the National
Committee. Col. Willie Jones, chair
man Of the committee, presided, and
Mr.. U. y. Gunter, Jr., the secretary,
was also present.
The members present were: A. w.
Jones, Abbeville: W. w. Williams,
Aiken; J. Perry Glenn, Anderson; S. G..
Mayficld, Bamberg: G.. Duncan Bel
linger, Barnwell: s. G.. Mccoy, Ber-
kelley; w. +. Stevenson, Chesterfield; ;
Louis Appelt, Clarendon; l.. j. Will
iamS, Edgetield; II. III. Kitchens, Fair
field: ID. II. TraXler, Florence: NJ l..
Donaldson, Greenville; ID. III. Magill,
Greenwood: NJ. Il. McSweeney, Hamp-
ton: j. A. McDermott, Horny: ID. G..
Richards, Kershaw: j. II. Wharton,
LaurcnS; ID. j. Gritlith, Lcxington: w.
ID. Evans, Marlboro; Cole l.. BleaSe,
Newberry; w. j. Stribling, Oconee: w.
o. Tatum, Orangeburg; Willie Jones,
lichland; IL. B. Watson, Saluda: Alta
mont Moses Sumter; J. G. Wilborn,
York: L. y. Gunter, Jr., secretary: Il.
II. Tillman, member of the national
Democratic executive committee
There was considerable discussion
caused 10y the introduction of a resolu-
tion by Mr.. Magili that no member be
DllnNVnH n IolnSS h.t
had been regularly elected This was
supported by Mr.. w. ID. Evans, and
Mr.. Blcase. Col. Wharton and Mr.
Altamont Moses opposed the motion.
Senator Tillman said In reply TO Mr..
Moses tnat it is sometimes the case
that members of the national Demo-
cratic committee are represented by
proxy. 1t was decided to let members
present, by proxy or otherwise, par
ticipate in the proceedings and in the
votes.
INVITATION FROM CHARLESTON
When this matter was settled. Col.
Jones announced that the committee
had received a request that the meet
ing OF the State convention be held in
Charleston. He read Il telegram from
Maj. j. G. Hemphill, manager of the
| department of promotion aud pub
| llcity, Offering the convention the use
| or an auditorium and assuring the
members of warm welcome. There
was also telegram from Capt. +. w.
Wagcner, president Of the exposition,
in which he asked Senator Applet and
Mr.. j. c. Wilborn to use their intlu-
nnrp In hnNn hn int, "a,
Charleston.
In accordance with these invita-
| tiOnS, Col. Wharton offered a reSolu-
tion that the May convention Of the
State Democratic convention be held
IN Charleston. In supporting his reSo-
lutiOnS, Col. Wharton spoke i'm glow
Ing terms of the exposition and stated
that the railroad fare from most of the
| towns in the State would be lower to
Charleston than to Columbia on ac-
count of the exposition rates.
The matter had been discussed
among the members of the committee
during the afternoon and it was pretty
well understood that there was no Sc
riouS objections to calling the conven-
! ton TO meet in Charleston. But the
proposal was fought by a number of
members OF the committee.
Mr.. BlcaSe offered Il substitute for
Col. Wharton'S resolution. The reso-
luton fixed Columbia as the place for
meeting and the 2lst OF May as the
date. In supporting his resolution,
MIR. BelaSe spoke in highest terms OF
Charleston and the exposition, but Ii
would be contrary to the spirit of the
constitution OF the Democratic party
for the meeting to be held outside OF
| Columbia
Mr.. l.. j. Williams said this would
he a very radical Step-for the conven-
tion to meet in Charleston. The rail
road fare might be cheap, but there
were other expenses to consider.
Mr.. Bcllinger contended that the
first thing to consider is whether OF
not it would benefit the Democratic
party for convention to meet in
! Charleston.
Mr.. Wharton again spoke in favor
| OF Charleston. The constitution OF the
party is silent on the place OF meet
ing, and this very silence shows that
the wisdom OF the members OF the
committee is relied upon. Mr.. Appelt
also favored Charleston.
Mr.. Wilborn explained how he had
received telegram from Capt Wage.
ncr Senator Tillman asked IL Mr.
Wilburn had been fishing for an invi.
tation. Mr.. Wilborn then prOddeC
Senator Tillman. He spoke in warm.
Az tor - loo . +.
and said that he felt his State pride
drop a little when he looked upon this
magnificent exposition and saw how
poorly it is being patrOniZcd. by hold
I ing the convention there, the State
Democracy would endorse the eXpOSi.
tiOn. He referred TO the fight which
| Senator Tillman and the other con.
| greSSmcn had made for an appropri
alton for the exposition.
Mr.. BlcaSc And Senator Tillmar
got it, too.
Mr.. Wilborn Got it in the neck
| Laughter)
Mr.. Wilborn then went on to say
that it had never been explained why
| st. Louis got So, ,OOO. 900 and Charles
ton could not get few thousands
| The reason OF it is that we are Demo
Gratis down here and they are Repub
licans there and that is why ne woulC
| like TO see the Democrats of the State
endorse the exposition.
MIR. w. j. Stribling of WaIhalla
said that the fare from that place
would really be $25O cheaper tC
Charleston than to Columbia, but the
/ other expenses would offset this DIFF