The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-03
Sweeping Changes In Primary Rules.

Several sweeping changes in the
rules and in the constitution to safe
guard and reform the primary cleo.
tons we're passed by the State Demo
cratic convention which adjourned
sine ole after a session lasting two
days. The convention worked stead.
lily thro lghout the day and all during
the afte rnoon refusing to recess for
dinner. The determination of the con-
vention to carry through the report
of the overwhelming majority Of the
committee OF constitution and rules
was shown in the steady amer in
which it proceeded to reject amend
ment after amendment, which were
rained in following the tabling Of the
minority report of the committee. 1t
was $50 o'clock when the motion to
adjourn was carried.
The main fight Of the minority was
made on the report of the majority
which called for a personal enrolment
and providing for a residence Of two
years in the state. n year in the
county and go days in the voting pre-
cinct as qualifications to establish res.
idence before being eligible to partici-
pate in the primaries. Strenuous ef-
forts of the minority to knock out the
personal enrolment were ~unsuccess-
full, heavy majorities being recorded
time and again in favor Of the ma
jority reports. An amendment by Sen
ator Clifton allowing the voter to en-
roll by applying to the secretary of
his club in person or on written ap-
plication signed by a witness by r
jected by a vote of 256 to 5.
The last fight of any note developed
ON the substitute which former Gov.
ernor John Gary Evans offered fol-
section IL Of the majority report.
A resolution of. thanks to w. G
Shrine of Greenville, B. E. Nicholson
of Edgefeld and Neils Christensen of
Beaufort for the time and work they
did in preparing the new rules was
adopted amid cheers.
Permanent organization: Presi.
dent, James A. Hoyt, Columbia; vice
presidents, Joseph w. Barnwell.
Charleston; R. B. Watson, Saluda;
M. l.. Bonhom, Anderson; H.. H. Arm.
old, Spartanburg; C. e. Spencer,
York; D. R. Cocker, Darlington; J. H.
Clifton, Sumter; secretaries, M. M.
Mann, st. Matthews; George C. Tay-
lor, Columbia; sergeant-at-arms, ]. 8.
Wilson, Lancaster.
Summary of new constitution and
rules of the Democratic party Of South
Carolina.
Qualifications for club membership
and voting in primary elections are:
Applicant to be 81 years Of age for
a white Democrat, a citizen of the
United States and Of the State and
must have resided in the State two
years, in the county six months and
in the club district go days. If a ne
gro, applicant must have voted for
Hampton in 1876. H.
Applicant TO renrollment in a Demo
cratic club shall present themselves
in person before the secretary and
sign the roll or make their mark, If
they are unable to write, giving their
age, occupation and postof1ce address,
their street number where such
designations exist in the club district
where they reside. The county com
mittees shall furnish suitable and uni
form books Of enrolment to the Sec
retaries, such books to be provided by
the State con .mittee.
All existing club rolls are declared
null and void, as a special provision
for 1914. This will require a en-
rollment Of all Democrats for the 1914
primary on the last Tuesday in
August.