The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-11-21
COLUMBIA, s. C.
:satarday Morning. November.2l, "a.
Registratlon OF Electors.

-08EHf06y MOEu1u8, ,NOV6mD6IlH1, i4.
Reputation OF Electors.
We endeavored to induce the Gene.
sal Assembly Of the last two sessions
to pass law ordering registration OF
1oters. The Constitution directs it
-''to provide from time to time for the
registration of all electors" and there
80 E.sH;:es. aac obvious reasons why
1t should be done. Bnt it was not
done. and for iost as equally obvious
reasons. A bill was directed to be re-
ported by the Committee on Privi-
ileses and Elections, providing for the
manner of conducting elections. and
incinding the requirement of registra-
Gen. but the proposition met little
tavor, and was not passed to conclu-
-aion. Certain persons made them
nelVes busy against it, upon the ground
shat it would result in transfer of the
>political power of the State to the De-
zaoesats. This senseless cry killed the
neasure, aud the strongest safe. guard
OF the purity of the ballot.box, i'm.
portant to bs thrown around it every
whore. and indispensabiy necessary
here, was, with dsliberation by those
who controlled the currents of in
duence, withheld. and denied. at the
beginning of and during tue progress
OF the late canvass, it was urged by US
and others that something like in
formal registration should be entered
npon by members of the Tax Union
And other persons interested in fair
elections and good government. It
was done to some extent, and served,
no doubt. a good purpose. To that
cause. and to the appointment, in
equal proportion, of Commissioners of
Election from each of the parties
,Beek;ng the suffrages of the people,
may be attributed, in part, the dimi-
aution of the majority from $4,000 to
about 10. 600. We believe that regis
4ration would show still less discre-
pancy in numbers between the ma.
3ority and minority in the State. At
any rxte. 1t is the right of the people,
and. if enforced. can injure no we'll,
aaeaning man Or party amongs. ns.
The refusal to grant it. can only be in
the interest of those who would hold
power and gain Office upon exolu-
avely selfish terms. and by means
Bhich deaf with and use foul
aud corrupt practices. It is i'm
possible, under the present laws,
uncurbed by registration. giving the
widest latitude to stuffing and repeat.
ing. to prevent illegal voting. In fact.
they encourage it, aud almost invite
ut. As we have said. certain influences
kept the last election comparatively
pure. There were, no doubt, frauds
aud Irregularities, not confined to one
aide or the other. but upon the whole,
the mode of conducting the election
~as great improvement upon those
OF 1870 and 1872. We trust that the
Haegislsture will put the matter beyond
any contingency hereafter, and good
1en OF ell parties join in the effort TO
put away all election abuses and
frauds. One OF the sarest guarantees
OF this desirable result will bu the pass
age of q law compelling an impartial
registration of the qualified voters OF
the State. This is the mandate of the
This the intelligent and
honest popular will here and every
Hhere demands Let it be embodied
IN law, and made imperative in prac.
Ecc.