The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-05-23
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVEN-
TON MET in COLUMBIA
Delegates Elected to National Convention-Gov
Blease Got Sc Votes Out of 3O8-Wilson
Endorsed for President.

rupted session, late last Wednesday
night adopted a resolution indorsing
the candidacy of Gov. Woodrow Will
son, of New Jersey, for president,
elected vice presidents and then
turned to the election of delegates.
The principal fight on the floor OF
the convention was on the question
of instructing delegates. The senti-
ment OF he convention was very
largely in favor Of Gov. Wilson, as
evidenced in the vote on the resolu-
ton of Endorsement, but Che Wilson
forces were unable to muster ma
jority when it came to question of
instructing the delegates.
Meeting at noon Wednesday the
convention organized with Mendel
L. Smith, of Kershaw, in the chair.
The credentials committee appointed,
the convention took recess to allow
the committee to proceed with its
work, the most important feature of
which was the decision of the con-
tests from Charleston and George
town. In the former. case the Barn
well delegation, proponents of J. Ell
more Martin for sheriff of Charleston
county, was seated by vote of 36
to 0. In the Georgetown case, the
court house club" representing the
forces of "old Georgetown" was
seated by vote of sc to 4.
The convention reconvened at 8
O'Clock and Thos. G. Mcleod, former
lieutenant governor, was elected per-
manent president. NJ. NJ. Mann and
James A. Hoyt, temporary secreta-
ries, were made permanent officers.
The First Clash.
Then, with the convening of the
regular session of the convention
came the opening fight. The first
clash on instruction came on the
floor, it having been decided that the
presidential fight should be made in
open convention, without reference
to committees. John P. Thomas, act
ing for the Richland delegation, pre-
cipitated the fight, offering resolu-
ton instructing for Woodrow Will
son. D. S. Henderson for the Aiken
delegation offered resolution
against instruction for any candidate.
The resolution was finally adopted.
The Henderson resolution was
adopted, IT'S to 1872. This forbade in
struction. Undaunted, the Wilson
forces, through J. w. Ragsdale, Of
fered a resolution of Endorsement.
This was adopted, 241 to 81. Cheers
greeted the announcement of the
vote.
Then, with the most serious de-
Lucrative functions of the convention
disposed of, the convention proceed
ed to the election of delegates at
large.
Contests Settled.
At $50 p. M, NJ. L. Smith, tenn
porary president, called the conven-
tion to order. J. E. Mcdonald, chair
man of the committee on credentials.
reported that the committee almost
unanimously recommended that the
Barnwell delegation from Charles
ton and the Hazard delegation from
GEORGETOWN be seated. The report
was adopted by vive voce vote.
The election of a permanent presi
dent of the convention was taken up
next.
J.H. Clifton, of Sumter, nominated
Thomas G. Mcleod, of Lee county,
for permanent president.
In his speech Mr.. Clifton declared
that if the revolution Of May g. re-
suited in other than good for South
Carolina he was badly mistaken. He
said he believed that next August the
people would choose governor who
would govern all the people and not
his friends alone.
NJ. L. Bonham, of Anderson, Sec
onded the nomination of Mr.. Mcleod.
There were no other nominations
and Mr.. Mcleod was elected perma-
nent president by acclamation.
Great Opportunity.
President Mcleod, in his inaugu-
raj address, said that the Democratic
party had a great opportunity. Upon
it rested the responsibility of show
ing that it was worthy of the trust
the people had reposed in it by CIV
ing the legislative branch of the ma
tional government into its keeping
for the last two years. President
Mcleod declared that Col. Roosevelt
was the greatest demagogue the ma
ton had ever produced and, in addi-
ton, worthy successor to Ananias.
He severely arraigned the Republl-