The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-25
MEET
IN CAPITOL
CARoLINA'S REPUBLICANS
DENIED USE OF HALL OF REPRE-
SENTATIvES.

State Convention Held i'm Hall
Which Has Been the Scene of
Many stormy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Committeeman Capers Replied to
BraytOn's Sensational Charges.
Delegates to National Convention
ChOseI-Crum in the List-Presi-
dent Roosevelt Endorsed and Dele
gates Instructed for Him.
Columbia, S. c., Feb. 24-The Re-
publican State Convention met here
to-day in an Assembly street hall, the
use of the Capitol having been re-
fused. Temporary organization was
effected by the election of Edmund H.
Deas, colored, chairman.
The anticipated fight between Ma
tional Committeeman John c.. Capers
and E. M. Brayton came off. In a
speech to the convention Mr.. Capers
replied to the recent. charges made
by Mr.. Brayton attacking his charac-
ter, denying them in whole and in
part. AS to his participation In a
lynching in Lexington county some
years ago, Mr.. Capers stated that his
presence there was of a professional
character, he having been sent by a
newspaper of which he was editor at
the time. AS to the charge of PEN
sion frauds and his leaving the state
to get the case mol pressed he admit
ted that he had committed a technical
error. Instead of leaving the state to
get the case mol pressed, however, he
t.1ff snf nlA lxf f1aA nff r.
of the Attorney General, who mol
pressed the case.
Delegates Chosen.
At the night session the following
delegates to the National Convention
from the state at large were elected:
John G. Capers Edmund H. Deas, l..
w. c. Blaiock and DIR. w. d. Crum.
Three ballots were required for Crum's
election. the first two being close. On
the third ballot those opposing him
withdrew and his election was made by
reclamation.
Resolutions were adopted indorsing
President Roosevelt and instructing the
delegates for him. The following dis
trict delegates were chosen the Third,
and Sixth districts yet remaining to be
elected: Fisrt district, w. f. Myers
and A. f. Prileou Second district, Il.
]. Dickerson and w. S. Dickson; Fourth
district, w. D. Boykin and D. X. Atkin-
son; Seventh district, A. y. Webster
and j. F. Ensor.
Refused the Use of the Capitol.
For the first time since the days Of
reconstruction has the Republican par
ty been refused the privilege of hold
ing its State Convention in the hall of
the House of Representatives.
1t has been a matter of doubt for
| several days whether the Republicans
| would be permitted to hold their con-
vention in the Capitol but not until
| late last night was it definitely decid-
! ed, when the following correspondence
/ took place between Sergeant Arms
| Wilson and John G.. Capers, Republic
can national committeeman of South
| Carolina, following a Geographic re-
| quest from MIR. Capers for the use of
| the hail:
TT is impossible for me to be in
| Columbia tomorrow" replied the SER
| geant-at-arms.
To that telegram Mr.. Capers an
| swered
| Yours does not answer my question.
| Can't we use the hall with your per-
mission under direction of Secretary
| of State?"
Mr.. Wilson replied: Cant allow
use of hall to any one unless l am
| present"
Thus deprived of the hall of the
| House of representatives, the Repub
| licans proceeded Immediately to ar
range for the use of Cooper II. Taylor
Hall, on Assembly street, which has
county and congressional Republican
Ll....l