Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-05-13


slave section the greater white population
in other portions of the State prevails, but in
all the Slave States, whether contrived by con-
stitutional provision not the result is that the
slaveholding class IS sovereign throughout the
North.
*The apportionment of representation, show
ing the rotten borough system of South Caroli-
ma, which in effect makes the masters of slaves
masters of the State, exercised the whole SOW
ereign authority through the Legislature
stituted by them, is taken from publication in
the South Carolinian. Columbus, ). G. 1t
republished in Washington City in 1849, soon
after 1t appeared in South Carolina. The next
apportionnent does not take place until 1859,
under the census of 1850, when the dispropor-
ton will be increased, inasmuch rs the white
population, In ten years preceding the last CEN
sus increased not quite six per cent, whereas
the slaves increased nearly eighteen per cent
The slaves increasing three times As fast as the
whites and Us the rate of appoIIonmcnt in
South Carolina Is to t;Iyor the ers who WELD
the Legislative power, and Is TO give representa-
ton III greater proportion TO the districts III
which slavery most predomlnates, 1t Is not I'M
probable that the inequality already existing
viii In 1859 be increased according TO the ratio
of the increase of the slaves over the poor whites
This suppositon is based upon the idea that
the policy which has heretofore controlled will
be continued ana as Cne SIdNcDolucrS Ol oOutn
Carolina, amounting only to 1886, have the
absolute legislative power in their hands and
dispose of the destlnies of the 2lio63 whites, of
the 3S4,94S slaves, and of the $500 free mulat-
toes and blacks at pleasure, they viii not fail to
make the representative apportlonment such as
will render their sway more secure and put out
of hope all who may dream of reform.
The following extracts from the Constitution
of South Carolina, to the qualifications of all
who permitted to hold a place in the Gov
ernment, prove that It's soul is Slavery. 1t will
be observed that settled freehold estate and
ten negroes is the starting point and the lowest
degree of qualification required. This IS put
upon par by the Constitution with a qualiti-
cation of ESQ real estate clear of debt. From
this the scale of quali icatlon rises with the grade
of offices until 1t reaches II ot0 OF real estate
clear of debt according to the date Of the Con-
stitution, which makes ten negroes and free
hold equivalent to unincumbered real estate of
the value of ESQ; and for the most part real
estate in plantations Is only valuable III proper
tion to the slaves that work Il; man Who has
the qualification of 81 500 WILL on the date OF
the Constitution, probably own 100 negroes.
Extracts from Constitution of South Carolina.
By article l. section 6 of the Constitution, 1t Is
provided IN reference to members OF the House:
" If resident of the election district, be shall
not be eligible to seat in the House OF Repre-
sentatives, unless he be legally seized and pos
sessed, in his own right, of settled freehold
estate and ten negroes or of real estate, of the
value of hundred and fifty pounds sterling.
clear of dett. If nonresident, he shall be le-
gally seized and possessed of settled freehold
estate therein, of the value OF hve hundred
pounds sterling, clear OF debt
Bv article /, section ., 1t is PROVIDED IN refer
ence to Senators:
" If resident of the election district, he shall
not be eligible unless he be legally seized and
possessed in his right OF settled freehold
estate of the value of three hundred pounds
i x11l~s IA n -ra- fpnt IN he
election district he shall not be eligible unless
he be seized ard possessed In his own right of Il
freehold estate in the said district of the value
of one thousand pounds sterling, clear of debt
By article = section ,, it is provided that no
person shall be eligible A. Governor, unless he
q hath resided within the State and been a cid
zen therein ten wears and unless he be seized
and possessed of a settled estate within the
same in his own right of the value oi fifteen
hundred pounds sterling, clear OF debt.
BY article Z section 3, the same qualifications
are prescribed for the Lieutenant Governor as
for the Governor.
By amendment. OF the Constitution ratified
on the 18th of December, 1903, the basis of rep
reseptatiyes in the House and Senate was fixed,
and has not been changed since
The House consists of l24 members, 62 ap-
portioned in the several districts according to
! their number of white inha habltaHts, and 81 ap
portioned among the several districts, according
to the amount OF all taxes raised by the Iegls-
lsture whether direct or indirect. or Of whatever
species, paid in cash, deducting thereirom al
taxes paid on account Of property held In any
other district and adding thereto all taxes else
where paid, on account OF property held in such
district"
II, first apportionment was made IN leo9,
and a re-apportionment on the same principles
Is made every ten wears
In reference to the Senate, 1t is provided as
follows:
" The Senate shall be composed of one MEM
har from each election district, as establish
ed Tor the election OF members of the House OF
Representatives, except the districts formed by
the Parishes of St Philip and St. Michael 10
which shall be allowed two Senators as hereto
fore"
This makes the Senate representation nell
,her of numbers nor property, but Of territories