The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-06-02
COLUMBIA, S. G..
Monday Morning. June 2. 1874.
Proportional Representation.

Taxation without representation is
tyranny. So thought the American
oolonists. and so, in asking relief from
she Stamp Act and similar measures,
they represented the matter to the
British Parliament. When the ques-
ton was determined against them
there. notwithstanding the powerful
advocacy of their cause by Pitt and
oamdsl. IL vas edjourned to the field,
With different result. Since the
declaration of independence was made
good on the battle.del of Che revolu-
tion, it has been an accepted principle
in American politics. derived from the
principles and precedents of English
law. that none can be taxed unless by
their own representatives. But this
right, admitted everywhere in words,
has, for the last six years, been prao.
*ically dsniod to the people of South
Carolina, whose ancestors did 30 much,
by the pen and the sword, to establish
aud settle it upon immoyable grounds.
Il was thought three years ago that
the esils'of universal su ffrage aud of a
despotic numerical majority could be
measurably escaped, if the dominant
party in this State would afford pro.
portional representation to the mi
nority. through the adoption Of sys.
teen of cumulative voting. The then
Attorney. Genaral Mr.. Champ eflain.
in q letter. proposed this scheme as one
which wdhld take nothing from the
rights Of 'thslmajorisy,l while it would
secure proper representation in the
affairs Of government OF intelligence
and property. The Tax-pay Srsa Con
ventio6, which met soon after, after
considerable discussion, adopted re-
port which warmly 'Uommended the
scheme. and recommended trial of it.
But the party ino power has never
responded to this appeal. The subject
has slep. in obscnrity ever since.
When they constructed party plat
form. they did not put this plank in
it. It did NOT. therefore, constitute
one Of the pledges which the prasent
administration has broken.
Yet it is plan of settlement which
is go much better than the absolute
control OF the fortunes of the whole
people, through majority as relentless
As it is fixed, that nothing but greed.
party spirit and short sightedness,
which eau only see and understand
what ia Immediate and present, would
have prevented it's adoption before
this. Occasionally o voice has been
raised in it's favor. The letter OF De.
lany presented in party point of
view nnanswerable arguments for it.
Thers are reasons founded in justice,
expediency and necessity which ought
to induce all Conservatives and what.
ever liberal and enlightened Republi.
cans there may be to press the scheme.
1t is qedonAtedIy trps, that if the mi
noritt pn 'th# statS tyas adequately
represented ii thsl Eegislature they
could put to flight many of the evil
practices and prevent many OF the cor
roptions which prevail. In the Tax
Payers Convention Of 1871 Mr.. Cham
berlain asked these pertinent questions:
"Do you believe for moment. then.
whea you pnt into an ignorant Assem-
bly,. many of whom can neither read
nor write. forty.ssven gentlemen,
whom I might se!ec. in :his body, that
you would not shame them into de.
cency or frighten them from crime?
Who does not know that the presence
OF one honest man puts to flight q
band OF robbers?" Mr.. Chamberlain's q
party did not enter upon the policy
~aoae benefits he thus pointed ont.
It nas ioaud no earnest advocates so
lar Ill that party. Had il been prompt
~ adopted the ruin which has onsued
aince might have been prevented aud
the disgrace Of the last three wears
avoided. But omiuons silence has
prevailed ever since that convention
met 1! is pity that Mr. Chamber.