The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-23
TRE STATE CONVENTION
MOST HARMONIOUS AND BRIEF
EST MEETING IN YEARS.

MOST HARMONIOUS AND BRIEF
EST MEETING IN YEARS.
Nothing But Routine Business Was
Transacted and There Were Abso-
lutely No Features Sensational or
Otherwise - Dispensary Element
controlled and Organized the Body.
Columbia, May 1S.-The State Dem
ocratic convention yesterday was one
OF the most orderly and most harmo-
aaious in recent years. The delegates
were apparently interested in keeping
out anything which would stir up
feeling and from the beginning it was
: evident that the leaders Of the two
sides on the dispensary issue had for
the time being buried the hatchet, as
the convention was not the place to
nwrangle over matters Of that kind.
The convention fixed one ring
campaign on the State, endorsed the
{ administration Of Gov. Hayward and
the work in the Senate by Senator Till
man, though in a manner much mild
ser than proposed by his greatest ad-
mirers; adopted platform which is
without feature, and made few
amendments in the constitution Of the
party to fit such cases as appeals from
the decision Of the county executive
committees.
There was no contest over the cleo
ton of officers. Col. Robert Aldrich,
who first entered politics as a mem
Der Of the legislature in 1876, was
elected temporary president, and Gen.
I ]. Walter Gray Of Greenyille, who was
a member of the same legislature, was
elected permanent clerk. The perma-
nent president was Mr.. j. VIM. Thur
mond of Edgedeld, and the other Off
GERS in addition to Mr.. Thurmond and
Gen. Gray were Mr.. J. T. Parks and
Maj. D. L sinkler, assistant secreta-
ries, and Col. Tom c. Hamer, treas
nrerer.
The convention held an. afternoon
session and got through with its busi-
ness in very few minutes. The del
8egates decided that they would attend
the reunion exercises last night.
In the selection of vice presidents
there was no hitch and the following
were elected by acclamation:
8 First district, Jas. E. Tindal of Qar-
enden; Second district, D. H. Hender-
son of Aiken; Third district, F. B..
Cary of Abbeville; Fourth district, T.
IS. sease Of Spartanburg; Fifth district,
q. G. Richards, Jr., of Kershaw; Sixth
district, w. E. James Of Darlington;
Seventh district, Col. r. D. Lee Of
Sumter.
ss Gen. ]. Walter Gray Of Greenvilie
was unanimously chosen clerk Of the
convention and j. T. Parks was elect
led assistant Col. T. c., ,Hamer of Ben
netssvifle was elected treasurer and J..
IS. Wilson of Lancaster sergeant-at-
arms.
The Two Committees.
AS soon as the convention had thus
been organized, Mr.. Geo. R. Koester
offered resolutions that there be two
committees, one on constitution and
rules and one on platforms and resolu-
tions; that each committee be COM
posed of one from each county.
THE resolution was adopted. It de-
clared that resolutions should be re-
ferred without reading.
Hon. R: I. Manning was named to
serve on the committee on platform
and resolutions and Hon. j. H. Clifton
ON the committee on constitution.
A number Of proposed changes in
the constitution and number Of reso-
buttons were sent to the desk and were
referred suitably. The convention at
1 o'clock adjourned until p. M. and
the two committees met at 8 p. M Col.
Robt. Aldrich of Barnwe1l was made
chairman Of the committee on resolu-
tons and Gen. Willie Jones Of the COM
mfttee on constitution.
The following proposed amendments
to the constitution of the Democratic
party were referred to the committee
appointed for. that purpose:
BY Mr.. D. S. Henderson of Aiken:
add at the end Of section 1: 'The
executive committee of each club is
especially charged to see after the en-
forcement Of the statutory laws Of this
State as to primary election. It will
be their duty to cause to be arrested
and prosecuted through the regular
channels all offenders against such