The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-16
The General Elections.

Some time ago bill was introduced IN
the House oi Representatives. providing for
the manner of conducting the next general
| elections. This was referred 10 the Committee
on Privileges and Elections, vino reported
substitute. which was made the-specai order
for Monday last. The new bill IS framed
generally upon the plan of the act OF Sep
tember, 1865, under which the elections OF
1868 were held; but there are some modill-
cations and alterations worthy OF more than
q passing notice.
The elections take place Oh the third We'd
nesday of October next, and on the same
day in every second year. Commissioners
OF elections and managers OF elections are
to he appointed in the same manner as un-
der the act of 1865. No change is made in
the hours during which the polls must be
KEEP; open: but it is provided that the regis
traton books uSe.l IN the last general elec-
tons shall be the guide OF the managers as
10 tie persons entitled to rote. No provision
is made in the bill, as reported to US, for
revision of the registration lists, and it is
evident that if the registration lists Of 1868
be used for the elections of 1870 great
wrong vii! lie done all classes Of voters.
Since the last elections there have been
many changes in the different counties.
Some have gained in voting strength and
others have lost y large number OF young
men are OF age and entitled to vote this
wear, who were not eligible one year or two
years ago In the same way, twelve months
residence being necessary to the possession
of the privilege OF voting, many good c!tl-
Zens were excluded at the last elections who
are fully competent 10 vote at this time The
State Constitution expressly declares that
every male citizen, twenty-one years old, who
is q resident OF the State for one year and OF
the county in which he offers TO vote
for sixty days, shall be entitled TO cote
for all officers that are now, or hereafter
may bc, elected by the people This is plain
enough and positive enough. And if the
Legislature require that the registration
books used IN lie ls4 asee.sl 81 sse1t6Nttt III tttt st pr
sons entitled to VOTE the people will be de-
privcd by their representatives Of one of the
most important privileges conferred upon
them, and guaranteed to them by the funda-
mental law of the State The law OF 1865
requires the managers 10 revise the registra-
ton lists for Il period OF three days, adding
the names Of all qualified persons not already
registered, and striking of the names of all
disqualified persons. This was just and
proper provision, and il fair and free cleo
ton is at all desirable, the election law now
before the General Assembly should provide
for thorough purging and revision OF the
registry before every general election.
The sections relating to the presence OF
State constables and peace officers at the
polls, and to the closing of barrooms during
the progress of the elections, appear TO he
taken bodily from the act Of 1868 1t may
be well to remind the General Assembly that
the presence Of q swarm OF special consta-
bles at the polls may be made an instrument
of oppression instead Of 4 means OF protcc-
tioa. The experience of the municipal elcc-
tions OF November 1865, indicates the dam
ger that may arise, if the control OF the polls
be given to partisan officials and Sheir 1epu-
ties All that the people desire is that every
man may, without molestation, deposit his
ballot for the candidates OF his choice. At
the last elections in this city, hundreds OF
colored men and white men were driven from
the polls by the threats OF mob Of negro
men and boys. This is altogether wrong,
and is direct invitation to the most peace
full citizens 10 take up arms that they may
obtain the protection which the law does not
give them. The people desire to see a full
and frank expression of the popular voice,
and the minority will bow to the decision OF
the majority. 1t is proper that the polls
should he guarded in case OF violence or riot
but the General Assembly owe it to the people
to reject any proposition which will place the
voters at the mercy OF few unscrupulous
politicians. Violence and injustice, like
curses, come home TO ro0st. Gerrymander-
ing and repeating might answer for once,
but will surely bring to ruin the party b.
whom they are practced.
There are other provisions OF the proposed
bill which require to be carefully considered
before adoption. The General Assembly has
in its hands immense power, and can give
the people law which will be impartial and
fair in all its parts. And the public are Gu
I
is to be Il bill for the security OF the whole
State, Or a Radical dodge. for retaining in
Office the present leaders Of the party.
The Case of the Hon. Alfred Uu,er.