Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-04-27
Richland Morality.

Tho State ut large has often had cause to upraid
the public men Of Richlnnd District for their
wretcbedly corrupt method Of electiuneering. 1t is
that we would do better to cura our own fauls.
Tho corruption Of the bsllot.buI il crying evil,
and one which should DO denounced in every cuui-
mun1ealth by the common roice Of that common
it may be done. In South Carolina, this evil
scarcely exists outside Of Rchland District. But
there, it has repeatedly assumed shape Of evil
well calculated to tarnish the boas.:d honor ind
Independence of our proud Palmetto. Will not
the morality the virtuo, The intelligence, and the
Christianity Of our capital city rise and make com-
mon cause against this infamous evil
We copy some just remarks Of tho Columbia
Bulletin in regard to tho lato election Of Sheriff
for R;chlsnd:
The election held in this City yesterday was
proceeded and attended with scenes dsrepuinble TO
suy community, and it matters not with us who
may have been the authors or ubetturs uf such
scenes, they and their acts deserve the coulemna-
ton of every orderly member of s"cirty. During
the entire day-Sunday-a species of disorder
amounting to n disregard for the d"y and decency.
was clearly manifested by the assembling Of fcrowds
about the corners anil other places On Monday
morning men were brought to tho polls like sheep
that had been prepared for the shaiubles and
marched to the box with tickets supplied them in
public and as nero sntomatons, thcy deposited
their vote, without any seeming regard for the
person for whom they were voting.
We have heord Of "Bull- -pons" in Columbia,
and disgraceful scenes enacted by those engaged
in that sort Of electonesring but nerer witnessed
anything of that sort
All Of the purchaseablc material were brought
into tho City from the surrounding country, and
furnished quarters and bourd with any quantity
of bald face until thoir votos deposited, when
they were turnedloose on tho community, degraded.
and in few casos drunk, and dsorderly. There
10 great responsibility resting somewhere, and We
havo no doubt that it will be sensby elt for upon
the heads of those who inaugurated this degraded,
wretched plan for obtaining votes. ought the cen
sures Of the respectable portion If society to rest.
We do not know who were the parties engaged in
the conduct We have denounced, but many respec-
table citizens who witnessed it, have expressed
their disapprobntion, nerting, as it does, the
reprobatiuu Of every good citizen.
Tho bulletin COOS on to call for help in abating
this mischievous spirit of corruption, and to this
end asks that the Legislature tuke in charge the
election of Sheriff, Ordinary, and other similar
elections that now come before the people. If the
Bulletin means to extend this Legislative shield all
over the State, We demur and that very loudly.
If he means only Richland, We have not 20 much
to say. But why not also give tbs clsction Of
Senator and Representatives to the Legislature?
Would it not be better to make "clean sweep"
while you are ut tho work7 Seriously though, it
is due to the people of South Carolina, that such
corruption should be onergetcully suppressed in a
laws are enacted from year to year, and towards
which the good people of other States look us tho
axnnnant of Carolina integrity