The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-10-12
Secretary Rep. State Elk. Co,


CAMDEN; S. c., September "a, 1870.
Hon. a. j. Ransier, Chairman Republican
n State E1ecutiue Committee: ~
'SIR-On behalf of the Executive Committee
:ot the ''Unlon Reform" party, I take pleasure
in acknowledging your communication OF the
22d instant, addressed to Major E. W. seibels,
:te secretary Of the committee, coumunicat-
Ing The assent of the Executive Committee of
the Republican party, TO the appointment OF q
ioint committee of two persons from each
party, at each polling precinct In the State,
s.to See that tair play is had at the polls and In
the canvassing Of the votes" at the ensuing
election. gi..l sm
/. Though, as you suggest, the proposed ar
rangement might not be acceded to by the
managers and commissioners, yet the plan Is
so Just, and so admirably calculated 70 allay
the apprehensions Of the people, already 80
greatly excited, and to satisfy all OF the fair
ness OF the election that It is scarcely to be ex-
pected that any will refuse their accord with
the very commendable views contained in
your letter. ;.J5,
In the present temper of the people, 1t Is not
only Necessary that the elections should be
fairly conducted, but that they should know
that they had been go conducted.
We, therefore, willingly agree to your propo-
sition, and will take the proper measures to
carry it into operation on our part.
n 1 am, sir, respectfully, &C.,
~ j. B. KERsHAw,
Chairman Ex. Com. Union Reform Party.
The plan proposed in these letters is so
fair and just that it should recommend itself
to the favorable opinion OF every respectable
citizen. But some OF. the Commissioners Of
Elections object, it is understood, to the. ap-
pointment OF the joint committees, because
their consent would imply that, unless well
looked after, they might not honestly do
their duty. This is very natural thought,
and it is not pleasant to be watched, for any
reason. 1t is claimed, however, that both
parties desire fair and peaceful election
and an honest count OF the vote. This is all
THAT the Union Reform party demand or ex
pect; and they are Wiling for the present,
to give to their opponents full credit for all
their pledges OF impartiality and straightfor-
ward conduct. Yet the great fact stands out
that, under the present election law. the
Commissioners of Elections can change or
destroy votes, and none be the wiser. They
have uncontrolled possession Of the ballot
boxes for several days, and can do what
they please with them. To make the matter
worse, all the Commissioners Of EIec.
tions are appointed by Governor Scott the
candidate for election, and nearly all of them
are his staunch political friends. Is it, then,
surprising that the Union Reform party, be-
ing at the mercy, as it were, OF their adver-
saries, should fear that they may be cheated
out of hard-won victory? Is it too much
to ask that they have sume safeguard and
protection against possible fraud? The re-
quest was so obviously just that MIR. Ransler
acceded to it at once, and it remains now
with the Commissioners Of Elections Lo prove
whether their party are sincere aud can,iid
in all their pretty talking. Of course the