The Question of Race in the South Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1895

Race and the Law in South Carolina

“…Eliza, Matilda's little sister, had married Martin sometime after his arrest. 270 Martin's death on the gallows left her a two-time, teenaged widow. Eliza was never indicted for her role in the conspiracy that led to her sister's death.…”

“…Martin's payment instead took the form of two pistol shots: one in the side below App's left nipple, the other on the left side of his neck, a little below his head. 287 Appling surely knew that such an outcome was possible. His willingness to strike a criminal bargain with Martin, even in the face of such an easily foreseeable outcome, suggests how desperate App was, how few his options were, and how enticing the prospect of freedom must have been.…”

“…This happy news left the writer wanting more: "There are many other men, similarly fitted and capable, to do this service and to exercise this prerogative of the good citizen, if only the orderly processes would cast the lot upon them. " 270 If only.…”

“…It being a murder case, the prosecution was granted five peremptory strikes and the defense ten, meaning they could eliminate up to that number of jurors without any justification. 287 In addition, the court, often at the invitation of one side or the other, could strike an infinite number "for cause" upon a showing of unacceptable bias.…”

Crossed Lines in the Racialization Process: Race as a Border Concept

“…His argument was that if the proposal was adopted there would not have been a single pureblooded Caucasian participating in the Convention. 54 The aim of the one-drop rule, as the man mainly responsible for administering it in Virginia, W. A. Plecker, State Registrar at the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Richmond, Virginia, explained, was to "postpone the evil day when this is no longer a white man's country." 55 He was obsessed with race mixing, as he believed that it would eliminate "the higher type."…”