The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-08-10
The Camden Journal and Cumulative
Votine-Our Political Course,

From the relllaTkS VI tnc NdllluCll cOUhNAL
on this subject, it appears to us that our
esteemed cotemporary misconstrues the spirit
and philosophy of the cumulative vote
(which the same" we "would rise to cX-
plain" In the first place, we would observe
that our cotemporary states the case in terms
too strong, when it intimates that the Tax
PAYERS Convention laid down the proposition
that cumulative voting was cure for ourpo-
litical grievances. The language of the re-
port. adopted by the convention, was carefully
guarded upon this point. 1t was claimed
that the new method of voting would cerrect,
in part. the evils under which we labor, but
it was not contended that it would be cure
all. But, letting this pass, we observe, in
the next place, that we do not understand
the adoption of proportional representation
as "a surrender to the majority" 1t is
neither surrender, nor anything in the
nature of surrender. On the other hand,
it is rather victory on the part Of the
minority. For instance, in the County of
Kershaw, there are, let us suppose, $500
whites and $500 colored voters. According
to the principal of the cumulative vote, the
minority can secure at least one of the three
representatives to which the County is en-
titled in the Legislature. But the cunlula-
tive system does not restrict the minority to
this one member. If they can influence the
opposition, they may have votes enough to
cumulatc upon two or even three; but they
would do this at their risk.
The JOURNAL says: "Lct the advocates
of this measure show us how We are to gain
anything in the Senate by the cumulative
vote. and how in the election of Governor
and all other executive oficers?" We answer
that, ofcoursc. from the nature of the system,
the cumulatc vote dote does not apply unless
there are more than one to be elected. In
case of Governor and all other executive
officers we could gain nothing. But 1t as
also true Matwe would lose nothing. In those
cases, we would stand just where we now
stand, and the majority principal would ap-
ply. But, in all other cases.. there would be
proportional representation-to our advan-
tagc-to the advantage ofthe minority. Bat
to come directly to the point: The gist of
the JOURNALS objection to the cumulative
vote, is, that it "leayes no room for the
expansion of the party, or the exercise of
those powers which arc. the fruits ofinlelli-
gence, education, knowledge, experience and
wealth; but "contents itself with a simple
proportional numerical representation" We
cannotbut think that tie JOURNAL misappre-
hends the scope ofproportional representation,
when we find it coming to such q conclusion.
Proportional representation does not yf.r
tic nliuority-'loes not establish the propor-
ton Jetueen parties. This ratio is subject to
change ubject to all the influence Of in-
telligcnce, or knowledge, or experience, or
wealth. There is room for all possible
expansion. There is, under the cumulative
system, "no pent-up Utica to contract our
powers. But proportional representation
does this. After all your influences have been
exertcd, and the parties stand arrayed on
the field of the ballot, than the cumulative
system, where more than one candidate is to
be voted for, secures to the minority and
leaves to the majority representation
proportional in its character.
ltcomcs to place it's protecting arms around
the minority and to save it frstn being en-
tirely ignored. Some may prefer to 60 into
political contest upon the wild principle OF
"uut Cesar aut nuilus neck or moth
ing" But to our mind it does occur that if
we arc to curb the excesscs of democracy
run mad. or to find stable government con-
sistent with popular rule and universal sui:
frage, we must engraft upon our system OF
suffrage the principle Of cumulative voting.
If we want representation to be complete
and this is the essence of genuine republi-
canism-. no better method to secure it than
the cumulative vote has yet Leen devised.
As respects, now, other propositions ad-
yanced by the JOURNAL, we find ourselves in
hearty accord. ave believe" says The
JOURNAL, there should now be an organiza.
ton of the d 'mocratic party complete and
thorough" So do ,re, and at the right
time We hope to see this done. eve are
willing" says the JOURNAL, "and prefer to
fight square out-and.eut Democratic party
fight, to allowing the Radicals to walk into
power without trouble" SO do 'cc 'Ihere
is" adds the JOURNAL, something healthy
in struggle for the. right, even when we
are beaten; and, on the other hand, suplne
submission to wrong is enervating and cor
rupting." So say ace. In these sentiments
Of the JOURNAL we heartily concur. These
have been our views and are our views. ~
distinguished citizen of South Carolina wri-
ting to friend remarks, in reference tc our
programme: al am in favor of a straight
fight, now and hereafter" This is our pre-
ference also. TO raise the flag Of indus
trial development-to open the gates of the
State to capital and scttlcrs-to fight against
local corrup ption and misrule-to make a
straight Gght" ever ever on the political
feld-this will bring us victory at last-and
such victory as will be worth having vic
tory, the fruits of which will be sound and
wholesome. COlun,6ia Phanir.