The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1870-10-27
regard to.the good Of the country Or it

people.
These thoughts have been painfully
suggested by the recent election, and
though, to the credit of Kershaw Coun-
ty, that election passed off quietly and
peaceably, we are in no degree indebt-
ed for this to the State government or
its tools, but to the frmness, caution'
nerve and forbearance of the white
c t::zens, and the decency, good sense
a ID prspriety of our colored citizens
AS Chairman of the Executive Com
mittee of the Reform party for Ker-
shaw county, and as citizen, l deem
it my duty to put on record the salient
points in the history Of this election IN
Kershaw county. I deem it important
to do so now, for I an sure that the
time will come when these things could
not beibelieved-nou, if there be any
mistake, let it be corrected. .~-
The election law provided by our
rulers is part of their system of fraud
and corruption and faithfully has its
work been done.
Governor Scott appointed as Com
missioners of election for Kershaw
county, three of his own partizans-
James F. Sutherland, Judge of Pro-
bate, County Commissioner, Trial JUS
tice, one'of the County Assessors, aud
also connected with the County School
Board, &C., and candidate for two
Offices at the very election which he
was to appoint managers for, and TO
-euperintend-Mr. C. Shiver, Clerk ef
the Court, and Mr.. kmmon Reynolds,
colored.
This did not look much as # fair
election were contemplated, and l ap-
preached the chairman first on the sub
ject of an election precinct at "Cure-
toms MILL" an important point, where
elections have been held for period
"to the contrary of which the memory
of man runueth not" Mr.. Sutherland
promised that poll should be opened
"unless he we're overruled." | then
told him that to close that precinct
and shut off from convenient exercise
of suffrage one third of the people Of
the county, would be most iniquitous
and ugjust, and if it we're done I should
deuounce it in the newspapers. 1 think
any one who will read an article over
the signature Of Reformer' in the
Journal of the 18th instant, will con-
clude that I redeemed that pledge.
The polls, at length, were announced,
and the managers appointcd-not pub.
lished in the newspaper of the County,
but printed and distributed, so far as /
know or have been able to learn, among
themselves. Such list of managers
never before were seen, heard Of or con.
ccived. First, they appointed them,
selves-Mr. G. Shiver for Red Hill, Is
miles from his residence, and Mr.. AM
mon Reynolds for Camden. MIR. Suth,
erland being not only possessed OF four
or FIVE offices, but candidate for two
at this election, was not appointed,
whether because he didn't have time,
because he was reserved for general
management, or that he suppose his
duties as Trial Justice might be called
into requisition, or whether his native
modesty overcame him, [ know not.
At Buffalo, there were appointed G.
NJ. Thompson and Jasper Davis, Re-
formers, and Wilkes Steeh, Radical,
resident within the bounds of another
precinct and 20 miles off. .
At Lyzenby's aud Schrock's Mill,
both members of the same name and
family, all radicals were appointed.
At Flat Rock, J. T. Truesdell, Geo.
Dureu, colorcd radical, aud Mr.. John
A. Boswell, resident in Camden, Is
miles of.
Alfred Hill, two colored Radicals
and Mr.. G. Shiver, from Camden.
At Camden, the appointments were
made entirely in the interest of the
Ring, being of its most Jealous parti.
zans with single .ezccptionaand he an
employee of the officials.
The commissioners of election, after
this arrangement was publicly de-
nounced IN the newspapers and on the
streets agreed to the appointment oi
committees at all the precincts to guard
the boxes, keep lists, &c. The boxes
were all sealed up by committee Of
| Y Reformers and comm;ttees attended the