Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-06-22
Cumulative Voting.

The subject Of minority represen-
tation by means of the cumulative
system Of voting has, since the ad-
iou.rnment of the taxpayers conven-
ton, been thoroughly discussed by
the journals of the State, and, with
the exception of one or two, they have
endorsed tile principle and declared
that in it's incorporation into our
constitution lies the panacea for our
political condition. So far as the
principle is involved, we concurin all
that has been said IN favor of the
system. It's nothing more than the
minority in republican government
has right to demand--nothing more
than the majority should be willing
to concede. In our present condi-
tion, though, in this State, we are en-
tirely unable to see any advantage
that could accrue to the minority
from its adoption. 1t could not be
brought into play in the election OF
Governor, Secretary of State, Comp
troller-General and other executive
officers. It's result, therefore, would
be to leave the executive department
in the hands of the parties who now
hold it. 1t would not avail us any
thingin the organization of the Sen
ate, for, as there is only one Senator to
be elected in each county, his election
must be a straight out contest be-
tween the two parties. So far, in
deed, from helping US in the constitu-
ton of the Senate, we believe that it
would operate .injuriously to the in
forests Of the taxpaying portion Of
the community, in the organization
of that body, by the direct and pow
erful influence it would have in draw
ing more sharply the line between
the two races in the State. The
adoption of the system would be
looked upon as sort of bargain be-
tween the races that each was enti.
tied to and was to take all it could
get in the practical working Of the
scheme. As a result, the Senate
would be almost entirely colored. In
the House., Charleston, Georgetown
Beaufort, Rlchland, Edgefeld and
other counties would gain some mem
bers that would be representatives
of the property-hold element. On
the other hand, Spartanburg, Pick.
ems, Anderson. Lancaster and other
counties. would have to concede mem,
bers to the party who represent mum
bers instead of property. So that
even in the election for the House o1
Representatives, the loss would be. al.
most as great as the gain. In the
county elections, the system could
only be applied to the election O
County Commissioners. The mos
that could be effected by this woulo
be to give one Commissioner to the
minority in each county. While M
would be q watch upon the majority
of the Board, and would be able tt
prevent dishonest practices by making
exposure of them, he would still b be {
minority Of the Board, and would b.
!, powerless to stop extravagant ex
1 penditures within the limits OF 1T
lawful authority. We can then se'
/ no practical benefit that is to resul
from the adoption Of this system,
To US, It looks like 9 very small tn!
thrown to-a very. large whale. !
!, this is all we are to- get for ignorlnI
the record of the spotless Chamber
lain, who takes ITO Ignorance no
Frapacity in His RePnbl blicapism, an
for burying in oblivion the Winchs'
3 ter rifles and ball cartridges Of Scot
. We think we had better maks up ,ou