The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-05-18

tional representation. In the case stated thu
5000 Democrats would secure one representa-
tive, and the 5000 Republicans two represen
tatives. This is the principle of proportiona
representation by means of the cumulative sys
tenn.
Your committee desiring to confne them
selves to general propositions, propose to re
frain from further details.
Your committee are grati6ed to state tha
this system of cumulative voting. which is des
tined to play SO important part in the devel
opment of popular rule, has already beer
put in operation, proposed, explained, and
advocated, in the first instance, by James Gartt
Marshall, subject Of, the crown of Great Bri
tain. This plan has been championed by ex-
Senator Buekalew, of this country; has been
incorporated in the revised Constitution OF llli-
nois, and has been put upon its trial In Penn
sylvania town. Recently, the subject has at,
tracted universal interest in the South. In our
own State ithas been received with great favor,
and lifted above the plane of political partyism.
Your committee are of the opinion that, alb
stractly considered, proportional representa-
ton is great governmental principle, wise,
Just measure of reform, and one absolutely
necessary to make unlimited suffrage consist
ent with peace order and security. 1t enters
the political body as q saving, a conserving
element. 1t comes to leaven the lump OF
4 democracy. and to give essence of genuine
republicanism, which is, briefly stated, thorough
and genuine representation. But if proper
| tional representation be an admirable system
4 in any government founded upon the popular
will, your committee holds that the plan is pc
culiarly applicable to such condition of So
ciety as this State now presents.
Your committee do not affirm that this would
cure all the diseases of the body polite. But
they may, without extravaganza, suggest that
the system of proportional representation:
if adopted by those who WELD the numerical
power, would alleviate many of the evils Incl,
dent to our present abnormal condition, would
to large extent tranquilize public apprehen.
convulsion, and tend to bring about in this
State all the peace that we can reasonably hope
to attain.
Your committee are aware of the fact that
This measure of electoral reform, if it shall be
promptly realized by us, must come from the
dominant, party of the, State. Whether it will
come or not, we cannot decide. In either
event, the minority in South Carolina, put
1 forth their claim in this behalf
ii their right Should it be denied, the
responsibility must rest upon those who use
thus the power that the present gives. Should
! It be rendered, it will doubtless produce the
fruits of Justice, and widen the circle of peace.
! This much we may add: Since it is the natare
of majorities to change, it may be we'll for the
dominant party to consider whether the adop-
ton of proportional representation may not
for them, be the best. policy for the future, as
we'll as the highest wisdom for the present.
Mr.. Thomas spoke substantially as follows,
in support of the measure:
No extraordinary credit was to De given to
the Cummittee in connection with the presen-
tation of the report AS the report itself init
mated, the subject was no new one. Both in
Europe and in this country, every thoughtful
man has had his mind turned to the subject
of cumulative voting. The matter is of great
Importance to the people of the State of South
Carolina. The Convention had assembled un-
der the inspiration of great public sentiment
great abuses in the State Government had been
the cause of calling the Convention into life,
and specific remedies were to be proposed for
specific evils.
In South Carolina. there are two races, who
have between them strong line of demarka-
tion Some seemed to imagine that that there
was political millennium not far distant. The
speaker did not look forward to any such time.
Whilst he recognized the fact that such q line
| of demarkation did exist, he was still of the
opinion that under influences of proper spirit,
it was possible for the two races to live together
in condition of comparative peace, and to
attain to a comparatively permanent peace.
And if that condition is to be attained, if any
understanding is to exist between the two
races, each race must be prepared to plant it.
self upon the foundation of justice and right.
Is it in our power, peaceably, to solve that
vexed problem with which we have to deal
Under the influence of proportional represen-
tation or cumulative voting, believe it posi-.
BILE to secure large measure OF success, and
o large degree of peace.
Mr.. Thomas was not unmlndtul OF the race
to which he belonged. He addressed himself
to the country, not in the character OF sup
plant but in the spirit of future conqueror,
laying down the terms under. which his race
should live in peace in South Carolina lie
had never had any fear as to the ultimate re-
snlt in South Carolina. can here affirm, that
if | should at this moment WELD the power OF
This Government, would use it impartially,
and without distinction. Some of the people
of South Carolina have endured much under
the present regime; and now, sir, not only do
/ pronounce the reconstruction of South Caro-
lima failure. but the very architects pronounce
il failure, and the temple is about to fall
down about their ears. ii we desire to recon-
struct the work of reconstruction, we must
adopt line of policy, such as is recommended
in the report.
Ex-Governor John L. Manning, then moved
to lay the report of the Committee on the
table. :,
Mr.. Trenholm, of Charleston, asked that
the motion be Withdrawn to afford him an op-
portunity to make few remarks upon the re-
port, which was done.
SPEECH OF HON. GEO. A. TRENHOLM.
Mr.. Trenholm, of Charleston, said:
The principle of universal suffrage is one
which commends itself to the intellect of every
right-minded man, and to which statesmen in
all countries have opposed themselves in vain.
The principle of universal suffrage lies at the
foundation of every true Republican Govern
l.