The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-31
POLITICAL.
8 e.k.sTl
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From the Palmetto State Banner.
Election of Electors.

~ x STcSlueut ol tne Cnltcu DtateS DY
the people Of South Carolina. !"
This Report was made at the session
of 1849. It is very ably drawn,
and signed by four gentlemen Of dis
tinction in the sections they repre-.
sented. Mr.. Withcrspoon was from
& I I.ancaster.; Mr.. Moorman from
sNewberrys; Mr.. Taylor from Pen
s dleton, and. sMr. Giles from Union.
phe first, second and fourth named
are now candidates for the Senate in
tlieirsrespective Districts. We we're
81 notable to obtain copy Of this Re.
1. port until Saturday last, otherwise
I've should have published it on an
earlier day. il is well worthy of
careful consideration. Its positions
are impregnable its arguments are
#supanswerable. Let the people whose
cause it so5ably advocates, read and
sreaect. If they will but do this,
3iswe know they will arrive at just
conclusions
~ ;.,s 5.;s 5S5l..s: REPORT
E { Cfl the tlllaRority Of tie Committee
4 sson Igiuileges and Elections, on
4 s. BIZ to proviRe for tie Elec-
t ton Of Electors Of President and
Kscc President Of tie United
I, States, by the, People Of South
= Carolina.' 1849.
The undersigned, a Minority of
Sthe Committee .son Privileges and
Elections, to whom was referred
a Billto provide for the Election of
Electors of President and Vice Pro-
7sssident Of the United States by the
ss,tI, ,aaple Of South Carolina, beg leave
make d. ~ s. g :
I gfss COUNTER REPORT
To thatsof the Majority Of the said
Committee, and to recommend the
Bill fayorably for the consideration Of
the House.
Your Committc believe that the
Election of Electors Of President
and Vice President Of the United
States by the People would be more
ssin accordance with the provisions and
spirit Of the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States and the principles of the
Government.
The Government of the United
States is mixed Government, partly
popular and partly fcderative, and
these features are manifested in the
Constitution for the Election Of
President and Vice PRESIDENT
Tn voting for President and Vice
President, each State votes accord
ing to her representation in Congress,
South Carolina nine and New York
thirty.six. A majority Of all the
votes so cast is necessary to choice,
and this represents the popular fca-
tnre of the Government. 1t is only
after the popular branch fails to elect
that the election assumes a fedora
tive character, and the States vote
as States, each State counting one.
This last mode of election is the re-
suit Of the failure to elect, and a pro
vision for such contingency. The
y Constitution provides that "each
State shall appoint as the Legislature
thereof may direct, number Of
Electors equal to the whole number
Of Senators and Representatives to
which the State shall be entitled in
the Congress" From which it Is
clear that the Legislature would
have the power to direct as to the ap
pointment, or in other words, to di
rect the mode by which the appoint
ment shall be made. But in pre-
scribing the mode, regard should be
had, not only to the provisions of the
Constitution regulating the Election
Of Electors, but also to the principle
by which votes are cast for President
and Vice.President. The election
npon the first casting Of the votes be
ing a popular one, the mode of ap
pointment should conform to tina,
principle. And it is submitted, thai
Che Election Of Electors by the Peo
pie, would be moro in accordance
with the Constitution of the United
States, and the popular principle BY
which the votes are cast. than the
Election Of Electors by the Legisla
turesWhich partakes more Of the iodc
ratiye character.
Your Committee would also re
commend the passage of the bill
from its expediency as demanded BY
the position in which tho State j,
placed by the act of Congress o
1886. Congress has by that Law