The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-06

freely recognize the fact that this State. |
like others, has already incorporated
into it's Constitution that feature of rep
resentation, the system Of minority |
representation, by which the ideas or
an entire community can be expressed,
in Legislative bodies, is entirely unpro-,
vided for. Manhood suffrage is an ad
vance in this diractiob. It is recogni.
tion of the fact that mans welfare de-,
peuds to some extent on his mental ac-l
ton. and, therefore. to deny him tLel
right 10 vote is to deuy-.h him liberty
that no one has the-right to deprive him
OF without clear proof OF its impractica-
bility. We who. for tue time, representa-
q large portion of the community, think
it wise thing that the two races which,
now dwell together should each bel
gonrauteed in the future the opportunity
to be seen. heard aud felt in the Legis-
lnture in u degree, and 10 an exteut Ap.
proximatively. il not accurately, to our
number By the adoption of such a.
principle no right would be denied any
one. and no danger to the majority
could ever ensue. For, possessing in
the Legislature, as amoug the body OF
the people, the greatest number, the
minority would not allow their constitu-
en's to be damaged. The plans by
which this deairable end is to be reached
are variously called. but they do not
spring from the brains of political
tricksters. bnt are the careful product
OF the earnest thoughts of the wisest
and most philanthropic men of this
age-men who hive devoted their lives
to the good Of others. This principle
has been practically adopted for years
.o:~
with satisfaction. Tue State OF Illinois
is governed under this principle, aud
the recent and much -lauded Consultation
OF Pennsylvania is said to incorporate
it. Though new. it is not too new for
~. who have adopted 30 many new
ideas Of late. And if the system repre-.
sents the truly representative aud repnAi-
can idea in homogeneous population,
it will be more beneficial in State
composed Of different races.
| The COMMITTEES. in behalf of those
they are depoted to represent, ask ths.
this matter be considered maturely. and
| appeal to the higher aud nobler ele-
ments of our nature. the love Of justice.
Of truth and Of country. Minority
representation" if applied faithfully in
tLis State, would insure the co.opera-
closely united among themselves, who
are now excluded from the responsibility
Of tho government of this State. The
committee express the hope that this
| memorial will attract the careful consid =
ration OF the Legislature on two grou nds:
|. That it is just and truly republican.
2. That the minority of this State, rep
resenting by far the largest proportion
| Nf 20 al s,,S 4
ut the government of the majority,
form, the evils of taxation and personal
snbordination withom representation.
Evils and wrongs unredressed always
have aud always will create dangerous
reaction. This scheme suggests the
only remedy which will prevent antago.
nisms of the races and produce bar
mony.. The form OF minority repre-
sentation is one, of course, which mus,
be left to the Legislative With thi.
memorial we beg to submit for your
consideration the following resolutions
Of the ax-Payers' Convention. Re
| enactfnllv anhmitt.I
j. A. Hoyr. A. 3. WooDavEE,
F. W. McMAsrER. D. s. HENDERSON,
j. IL. SCREvEN. Committee.
|
adoption OF the folio wing resolution:
Resolued, That committee OF Eve be
appointed to represent the ta1. payers iu
presenting to the General Assembly
such grievances arising from the opera
tion Of lava heretofore passed by that
body, or growing ont OF an inadequate
protection for the minority by legisla
tion not adapted to our real wants, an6
among other things to urge the accom-.
plishment Of the objects named below
to wit:
/. To direct the attention of the Gen
eral Assembly to the requirement o
Section 3. Article VIII. of the Constitu
tion of this State, which declares tha
''it shall be the duty of the General AS
sembly to provide, from time to time
for the registration Of all electors,
which provision has been entirely disre
garded in the past.
2. That proportional representation
would tend to remove much of the dis
satisfaction now existing, whereby oom
plant is most reasonably urged that
large proportion of property holders ani
ax.payers are practically debsrred from
representation in the General Assembly
and that the adoption of the cumulativ,
system of voting would tend to secure