The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-26
THE RIGHTS OF MIN0RITIES.
HBAr THE STATE PAPERS SAY OF
HINORI1Y REPRESENTATION.
Cumulative Voting the Remedy.
from the Winnsboro' News.l

from the Winnsboro'N ews.l
The press of the State of all parties now
seem nnsnimously to favor the carrying Into
effect in South Carolina the principle OF
minority representation. as etectea oy tne
method of cumulative voting. We have ex-
pressed ourselves In favor OF TINS most prac-
tical remedy for all of our political trouble oyer
a yea ago, and very often since. This plan
of Voting win secure to- the property-holiers
and white people Of the State five out OF every
eleven members of the Legislature that may
be elected, and, by its general influence; WIN
to elect four respectable men out OF the eight
that their numbers will enable them TO elect
out of every eleven. But parties and popula-
ton do not promise to stand at the present
ratio long. The negroes, we believe, will vote
for minority representation now as a compro--
mise recommended by their party leaders, and
as a measure OF peace to propitis te the spirit
Of anarchy.
4 Wise and Useful Measure.
From the Columbia Phenix.]
TIE adoption of the principle of proportional
no small degree to the alienation Of the fun
damental evils connected with the situation in
this State. We are pleased to observe the IA
yor with which this improved method OF vot-
ing has been received. Men OF both parties
concede the wisdom and the utility OF the
measure. Other expedients may be necessary
to meet the emergencies of the hour: But In
view of the peace and prosperity Of the State,
which all right-minded citizens desire to see
placed upon q firm basis, 1t Is to be hoped that
the public mind will not lose sight of the great
principle of representative reform embraced Id
cumulative voting. In our Judgment, it Will
be found more practicable and much easier
than, in this day and country, to restrict II.
No True Peace Without q Fair Repre-
sentation.
From the Charleston Radical Orgau.]
We are glad to note that minority represent
throughout. the State. That system alone
which provides for q representation OF a NIL
nority is thoroughly republican. And, while
true republicanism demands minority repre-
sentation in any State as the simplest matter
of Justice, as well as OF true policy, 1t is more
alphabetically demanded for our own State,
because the political party which Is now IN
beers, but is mostly made up Of a differ
emit race from that which forms the larger
part of the dominant party, and, besides,
holds the great bulk Of the property within
the State, &c. This powerful minority
should be represented. We cannot have
true peace until these have a fair representa-,
ton. We know well what some OF them did
when they were In power, with their iron rule,
holding Inc great mass of the people, white
and coIored, as by the throat; but this shall
net sway US from giving them exact stlce.
Putting 1t even on a lower ground. this &C.
cording Of justice to them is a sort CT elevated
sel1sh1ess for us, a thing that will pay, if we
look at 1t Alright, tor it will give peace, a bet
ter government and a larger prosperity to the
State, and in such prosperity every Republi-
can will be benefited. Republicans need not
fear that any such measure will give the State
be then, as now, the party of the majority Of
votes.