The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-13

nIzed patriotism OF Messrs. Porter s. Conner,
counseors at law, request them, In the name OF
those whom they represent, to give the matter ol
this report their careful consideration and H. ID
their judgment, 1t be practicable, to take sucn
steps as arc necessary TO prevent by due process
of law, the consummatlon Of this fraud upon the
pr0pertY-holdeIs OF the State.
RESOLVED, That copies Of this report and the
original resolutions be officially communicated to
MesSrs. Porter Conner.
THE. ELECTION LAW.
The committee on election ald suffrage laws,
to whom was referred the resolutions as to the
eXpediency Of memoriallzlng The Legislature Tor
the repeal or modification Of the existing election
laws Of South Carolina, respectfully report tcon-
cisely) that they have given the subject tae earn
est consideration which its importance demands.
The committee recognize In tle present mode OF
counting the ballots the fruitful and original
source OF present political troubles creating dis.
trust In the minds OF law.abidlng citizens on ac-
count Of the power OF the custotlans OF tile oal-
lot box to defeat by fraud the intent and soVe'
reign rights OF the electors. Recent develop
ments and convictions Of hlglroficials at Charles
ton, in the United States Court, after patient, Ia
borious and expensive trial, confirm the appre-
tensions and convictions OF the citizens as to The
absence OF security for the future purity OF the hal
lOt-boX. Your committee are familiar with the con.
servatlye conduct OF the elections and safeguards
Of the ballot under the old laws Of the State Parties
OF any p litical complexion felt assured OF tne
honest result Of every election, so firm was their
knowledge Of the inyiolablllty fthe balot.ho8 IN
former times. The present system Invites con-
spracy, and opens wide the door. to the perpe.
tration or every fraud When the high sheriff oil
q county, whose overs are second only to those
OF the Chief Executive OF the State, has been con-
vIctcd In the metropolis Of the State, by Jury OF
his choice In forum removed from local preJa'
dices and bias 1t Is full time for the citzens 10
sound the alarm and memorialize the legislative
power for relief.
To this end this committee recommend the re-
ference OF this report to the executive committee
for further action; to confer with the Governor
and invite his cooperation in memorial TO tne
Legislature at It's next regular session. ior sach
changes In the present election law, and especlsl.
ly in such parts thereof relate 10 the custody OF
the ballot.boXes for the period OF ten days AFTER
ELECTIONS before the count ls declared.
In connection with the above, on motion Of
Mr.. James A. Hoyt, the following was adopted !:
fesolred, That the report Of the committee on
election aud suffrage laws adopted by the conven-
ton be placed in the hands OF special commit
lee OF seven members Of this convention, whose
duty it shall be to transmit the report as memo
rial to the Legislature on tile subject OF propor'
riOnal representation, accompanied by sucn sug-
gestions as they may deem advisable. IN order
10 secure the pas sage OF law, at the earliest
practicable moment after the Legislature Is con-
vened that tile system OF cumulative voting may
be made applicable TO the next general ell ection,
and that the principle may be engralteu in gen.
al upon our system OF suffrage; anu further,
that this special committee be Instructed 10 use
their best eXertlUnS In favor OF the passage OF
this Just wholesome aud equitable provision, 80
as 10 bring about full and complete representa-:
rights aud interests or persons and properly ID
eY ery respect.