Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-06-02
Cumulative Voting.


as follows:
y "The question now
is whether the people of this State will sus-
tain the action of their representatives iu tho
late Columbia Convention, and commit them
selves for all time to come to this new doc
trinc of cumulative voting.
"The leaders Of the Radical party, by
promptly endorsing the measure, have shown
a magnanimity and disintorestcd patriotism to
which they have heretofore been strapgo,s;
are pursuing deep laid scheme to lull into
rcpose the excited passion of tho taS payers,
and to postpone to a more distant day the cx.
termination of their power which this OK.
citcmcnt seemed to threaten in the near fu-
ture.
"But, however this may be, it bchoovcs
the tax payers and property holders of this
State to weigh we'll this matter, and consider
whether owning as they d6ncarly all the land
in tho State, and possessing as they do the
capacity within given and limited time, by
pursuing all intelligent and common sense
policy, to control the State and government,
it would be better to compromise their entire
future control for limited and minor present
influence. We opiuc that the 10000 negro
majority claimed by the Radicals will d;sap-
u
election law, and VIC incline to tho belief that
anxiety of the Radical kuders for the adop-
ton Of minority rcprcscaAtio
The question whether the tax payers Of this
State will sustain the action Of their delegates
in this matter is a very Important one, and
merits serious consideration. After thor.
ough discussion Of the system, the convcn-
ton, with but few dissenting votes, expressed
its approval cf the scheme, and appointed
committee to press upon the attention Of the
Legislature the passage of such law, SO that
it might operate i'll the next general election.
According to the relative strength of the two
parties in this county, as gathered from tho
last election, We would lose one member and
such would be the result in nearly all the
counties, polling Democratic majoritcs On
the other hand, it is equally sure that in ma
ny Radical counties we would gain one or
moro members, and by proper management in
the State, we could at once put fifty members
in the lower House, against twenty under the
majority principle. But the Crescent says,
it would bchoovc tic taxpayers to consider
whether, with fair prospect of an entire fu-
turc control, they arc willing to compromise
this for a present minor influence We
would be willing to accept the system from
its intrinsic merits, without regard to its prom
iscs of present or future influence for or
againet us. 1t is fair, just and equitable
that every Department. Of industry, and every
class of citizens should obtain representation
in the law making body> 1t is more, for
such a system would promote general good
feeling, wise laws and universal prosperity
Many regulations essential to the dcI clop.
ment of important industrial pursuits arc
neglected for the want afSsomc one to pre-
scat the claims and necessities of such laws
Nor do we claim that perfect honesty and
perfect wisdom is the heritage solely of Dem.
ocrats. We may, and even do err, and in
many Instances tho class or race oppressed by
such errors, if represented, could dispcI pref
udice and prevent tho bad consequences.
All men see, more or less, sclfshy in every
day affairs. Much more is this true Of polit-
ical parties, and we arc not willing to admit
that minority curb would not be adYanta-
geous to the whole country, even if the Dem.
ocracy had that coveted entire control. If
we had the majority i'll the Legislature and
in tho State, what more could we desire
We would enjoy fu! power to pass wise laws,
and to defeat unwsc laws. Are VIC unwll.
ling to learn? or are VIC alwse and lust in
i'll every particular? or do we prefer complete
party asccndency to the public good? The
minority system applies to no case where but
one person is to be chosen to office, and will
hence affect official aspirants in counties but
little. We have no hesitation in recommcn.
ding the system, and entertain no fears of
the consequences of its adoption. In add-
tion to representation, it places the minority
in better position to discover expose and
defeat the wrongs of the ruling majority, and
thus checks the evils Of bitter party spirit.
Its immediate effect will be to increase and
difusc our representation, so that at least
one intelligent honest tax. paying member
can be elected from nearly every county in
the State, who by his presence and facilities
to communicate with tho voters of the coun-
ty will prove terror to any thicvish and evil
acting colleague. Its permanent and better
result will be, by opposition to doubtful meas
ures of legislation, to invite discussion and
clear view of the truth. No ono will deny,
but many plausible propositions after vcntila-
ton are found unwisc, unpoitic and corrupt,
nor will any ono deny but tho present vonal
loci, I,t,, i, y I l n