The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-12

themselves to general propo ,itions, pro-
details. n
Your committee are gratified to state
that this system of cumulative voting.
which is destined to play so important'a
part in the development of popular rule.
has already been put in operation.
Proposed, explained and advocated in
the first instance by James Garth Mar
shall, q subject of the Grown of Great
Britain, this plan has been championed
by ex-senator Buokalew, of this country.
has boen incorporated in the revised
Constitution of illinois; and has beer.
put upon its trial in PENNSYLVANIA
town. Recently the subject has attracted
unusual interest in the South. In our
own State, it has been received with
great favor, aud lifted above the plane
of political partyism. 1,-->,
Your committee are of the opinion
that, abstract|y considered, proportional
representation is a great governmental
principles wise, just measure OF re.
form, and one absolutely necessary to
make unlimited suffrage consistent With
peace, order and security. It enters the
political body as saving, a conserving
element. It comes to leaven the lump
OF Democracy, and to give the essence
OF genuine Republication, which is.
briefly stated, thorough and general rem.
resentation. But if proportional ropre-
sentation lie an admirable system in nny
government founded upon the popular
will, your committee hold that tho plan
is peculiarly applicable to such con
dqltion OF society as this State now pre-
sents. -. t
Your committee do not affirm TINT
this would cure hll the diseases of the
body polite; but they may, without ex.
travagnnce, suggest that tho system of
proportional representation, If adopted
by those who WELD the numerical. power.
would aileviate many of the evils inoi-
dent to our present abnormal condition.
would. to q large extent, tranauiliza
public approximations, would moderate
the spirit of political convulsion, and
tenu to'brlng about in this State nll the
peace tnnt We aan reasonably hone r. at
tain. ..,I.,s
Your committee are aware OF the fact
that this measure Of electoral reform, if
1t shall be promptly realized by US, must
come from the Aemipant party OF, the
State. Whether it will come or not. We
cannot decide. In, either event, the nil
norlty IN south Caroiina put forth their
claims In this behalf. It is their right.
IT. be denied, the responsibility
must resi- upon those who use thus the
be rendered, it will doubtless nrodncs
the fruits of justice and widen the circle
OF peace. This much we NAV add:
Since it is the nature of maiorities to
change, it may be well for the dominant
nAfkV MI, NJ
or proportional representation NAV not
for them be the best policy for The IN.
ture, as we'll as the highest wisdom fok
the present. Respectfully submitted
j. P. THOMAS, for Committea
The report of the Executive Commit
tee on the subject of taxation without
was submitted. md il ..
70 lows:
The Executive Committee, to whom
were referred the grievances of taxation
without representation in the taxing
body, and to suggest remedy for the
existing evils, beg leave to report Tint
the present political and financial condi.
ton OF South Carolina is a forcibIe una
melancholy illustration of tho evils ro-
snlting from taxation without represen-
tatlon. The judicial Investigations lntc-
y had in the United States Court for
this District prove, beyond controversy.
that astounding frauds were praoticed in
the last election. and demonstrated the
necessity of remedy.
The theory Of the Constitution is TINT
the people shall be fully and fairly rep
resented, and provision is made in that
instrument to protect minorities. Thus.
in the House Of Representatives., the
whole body of the people is represented
end the majority rules. In the Senate.
the States are represented, and t,s
smallest has an equal vote with the
largest State. The one is intended to be
q check on the other. While the war
lasted, passion took the place Of reason:
the Statee represented in the Senate set
aside the Constitution, forgot their
sovereignty and blindIy followed the
lead Of conquest. Since the war, the
States that struggled for what they sup
posed was constitutional right have
not been represented, their Senators are
not natives, or, if natives, are not repre-
sentative men. SO that the check Of the
States. as represented in the Senate, has
been entirely Lost; and, Of course. oil
legislation has been partisan, sectional
and vindiotive.
The same feature which charoo,ar;,o1