The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-07-04
CHARLESTON IS REDEEMED.
now ELECTION MACHINERY FORKS IN
HONEST MEMS HANDS.
The Interesting story or sheriff uovvcn's Sur
render 81 the Republican Pnrty-Grent
Rejoicing Over "a Democratic Victory.

The Interesting story or sheriff Uovvcn's Sur
render % the Republican Pnrty-Grent
Rejoicing Over a Democratic Victory.
CHARLESTON, S. c.. June 2s.-Probably the
aueerest election that ever occurred in the
United States was the recent one in this county.
From it several sautarv lessons may be- learned.
The democratic ticket for seventeen members
ofthc Legislature was elected without opposition
on Tuesday. They are TO serve for tho uncx-
PRED term of the present House. The Mackcy
delegation. which was said to have been elected
by 5000 majority at the general elections in
November last. were refused admission to their
seats upon the ground that owing to intmida-
ton by the negroes there was no election in
Charleston county. This charge Of intimida-
ton WIS based upon the Cainhoy massacre.
the rows at Whaloys Church and Red Top
Church. the King street and the Brond street
riots and the general pros rption used 10y the
negroes toward the colorcd Democrats.
-. The Dcmoerstic Convention was On the 10Th.
tended majority six months ago. kept quiet
until thc 10th when suddenly their primaries
were held. scarcely one hundred genuine
votes were pollcd. and they resulted in the So
lection of a set OF politicians completely under
Their Convention met on the day, before that OF
the Democratic Convention. Sh"riH Bowen
then advocated the nomination Of ten Demo-
ton asscntcd A ticket OF some of the best
mon of Charleston was thus put into the field.
The next day i've of the ten Democrats thus
nom mated published cards declining the can
ddncy. and refusing to serve II elected on that
ticket Public Sp,n9pn nSd risen H f any
Gratis were confident Of success in square con
tcst. The election machinery was IN the hands
OF honorable men. instead Of in the control of
the rogu,s and hallot-boX suffers who rolled
up the largo Republican malorities on former
AT the Democratic Convention that day n full
ticket Of seventeen was put in the field ncud-
in, three out of 'hc five VINO had declined the
Republican nomination. and two rulOrcd Demo-
Gratis The other Democrats Oh The llowcn ticket
followed the example OF the first five. and the
remnant which was left comprised AiN negroes
and one white Republican. No one could asrer-
tam BOwcu's intentions. and accordingly the
Democrats prepared Tor the worst. They knew
that il Bowen filed up his vacancies with the
names Of his horses and dogs. and sent them to
his constituents. the full strength OF the Rcpub-
| licun vote could he brought Out on election day
| They knew these savagee Were armed. and en-
couras"d from their success in November. as
whites since that time. Accordingly. every pre-
caution WAS taken. The fifteen rifle clubs
were drilled. the two batteries Of artillery. pre-
| pared for action. aud the Chief Constable of tho
| State. an old West Point on 'er. had chargc.
Al O'Clock on election morning the Demo-
| Gratis rallied 10 the polls. But no enemy was on
thr ground. and not even II Republican ticket
| WAS e. hr soon during the day. Tn" Democrats
| ROLLED their full HAMPTON vot" of last fail.
| Many negroes voted the Democratic ticket.
| Even tho Republican managers Of election
! Joined in the general harmony. alleging that
| Democratic party SO u TO- part cl pate IN the
I next primary elections II that party Npny Of
ttc Older whit" citz rs did not vote NJ all, their
! presence at the polls being unner. 'ssary.
II WIS Il complete surrender of the Republican
! party tothc Democracy. and the reasons which
| actuatgd such q straug" proceiur" nav. been
| the subJcct Of Investigated ever since. Bowen
| and the leading Republicans held nm all night
caucus before c.,,tIon day and determined To-
| abandon the cau-e. 4 ii 'llct had been prepared
! consisting Of sixteen coorrd men ana one
! white Republican. hut tn" whole batch WAS
/ In flIn IA aVl # Il44t
| known here ~ the 'pos-um policy. The Ee-
| publican party - TO play dead until the next
| q. Moral election. AMI in IN" mean time To- I'M
| lunl of IT. own accord the RAJ ais who have
| heretofore managed II for th"ir own special
| banrnt They are going to watch the tides of
political strife and AZ the next general election
make such combinations with Il better class OF
! white men rs will enable them to make q more
respectable appearance in the political arena.
This Is the version given by several colored
IN" correct ono. The scheme Is plausible but
its practical operation is doubtful II might nc
for intelligent voters. hut with the negroes I'll,
possum policy is death In reality. There vii
b" no more negro parties The whites vii
never again allow them 10 be the controlling Gle
mcni in any party.
Tho INSIDE reasons which operated upon tn,
| white leaders of the party are very diilercn
from those given by the cOlorct men lust men
toned. Shcrin Bowen holds his Lucrative
OH o" !pr 1ur years. BY virtue Of the last genera
| ole ''ion. which has been declared TO Doe 80 M
! election " 10y the Legislature. HIS tenure !.
therefore doubtful. and he Is nj the mercy %
| flc ID smO 'rany. who may Dust him AT any mo
IA nj To cOncilihte them. ana thereby retui'
hi position. IL his object. There II great re-
Jolcing ut tho prospect which this straight-ou
victory has opened NJ IN this city.