Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-04-25

in greater proportion to the districts in which Slavery
most prcdomnatcs it is not improbable that tho in
equality already existing WILL in 1852 be increased
according to the ratio Of the increase Of the Slaves
over the poor whites.
This supposition is based upon the idea TINT tho
policy which has heretofore controlled will be con
tinucd, and rs the Shareholders of South Carolina
amounting only to Is jgG-havc the absolute lcgis-
latve power in their hands and dispose Of the dos
TIMES OF the 20 i6} whites Of the As gSI Slaves
nnt the $500 free inulutucs and hlacl Mt pleasure
they will not fail to make the representative APP
portionmcnt such Ms will render their sway Sc
cure, and put out Of hope all who may dream Of
reform.
The following extracts from the Constitution Of
South Carolina as to qualifications Of all who are
permitted to hold place in the Government. prove
that its soul is slavery. 1t will be observed, that
ga settled freehold estate and ten negroes" is the
starting point and the lowest degree of qualification
required. This is put upon par by the Constitu-
ton with qualification of one hundred and fifty
pounds of real estate clear Of debt From this scale
OF qualification rises with the grade of offices. until
1t reaches fifteen hundred pounds Of real estate
clear of debit according to the data of the Constitu-
ton, which makes ten negroes and freehold equiv
alent to unincumhored real estate of the value Of
an hundred and fifty pounds (and for the most part
real estate in plantations is only valuable in pro-
portion to the Slaves that work t) man who has
the qualifications of fifteen hundred pounds, will on
the data of the Constitution, probably one hum
dred negroes.
ma by article |, section t. of the Constitution, it is
provided in reference to members OF the llousc:-
" Ii a resident in the election district, he shall
not be eligible to seat in the House of Rcprcscn-
tatives, unless he DO etally seized and possessed
in hls own right, of settled freehold estate and
ten negroes, or OF real estate of the value of n
hundred and fifty pounds sterling, clear of debt
If a nonresident,he shall be legally seized aud pos
scsscd Of settled freehold estate therein of the
value Of five hundred pounds sterling, clear of debt ="
By article !, section S, 1t is provided in reference
to Senators -
d" If a resident in the election district, he shall
not be eligible unless he be legally seized and pos.
ses sed in his right of a settled freehold estate
of the value of three hundred pounds sterling clear
of debt If a nonresident in the election district,
he shall not be eligible unless he be seized and pos
sessed in his right, of a settled freehold estate
in the said district of the value of thousand
pounds sterling, clear of debt"
BY article I'd, section ID, it is provided that no
person shall be eligible Governor, unless he
"hath resided within the State and been citizen
thcreinten and unless he be seized and posses
Sod of n settled estate within the same, in his u,vn
rght,of the value of fifteen hundred pounds sterling
clear of debt"
By article 2, section 3 tho same qualifications nre
prescribed for tho Lieutenant Governor n, for the
Governor.
By amendments Of the Constitution, ratified on
the 18th Of December 1905 the basis of rcpres cnta-
tivcs in the House and Scnntc We, fixed and has
not been changed since.
The House consists of one hundred and twenty
four members, ,iNty-two nppor,oncd in the several
districts according to their number of white iuhub-
itants, and siNtytwo apportoncd among the several
districts, according to ''thc amount of all taxes
raised by the Legislature, whether direct or indi.
rect, or of whatever species, paid in cach dcductnc
thercfrom all taxes paid on accouut Of property
held in any other district, and adding thereto all
taxes elsewhere paid on account of property held in
such districts"
The first apportonmcnt unlo in 1900, md
reapporti"nnent on the same principles is made
every ten years.
In reference to the Senate it is provided a- fol.
lows
The Senate shall be composed Of one member
from cachelcction'd strict as established for tho
election of members of the House of Representatives,.
except the districts formed by the Parishes Of st.
Philip and st. Michael. to which shall he allowed
two Senators, hcrctofprcn
This makes the Senate n representation neither
of numbers or property, but ofterrit orie.