Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-08-22
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

the pleasure, of your correspondent, to visit
one of the voting precincts of Lancaster
county on yesterday, at which the primary
election was held. only wish that could
illustrate the proceedings of the day. wish
I was able to furnish every reader of the
ENQUIRER with fac simile picture of all
that took place at that precinct But that
being impossible, I will only relate few in.
cdents. About forty. nine candidates were
running for seven Offices. The excitement
seemed to be over the Senatorship. Two
good men had been placed in the field and the
race proving to be close one, consequently,
every vote counted and both parties worked
from morning until night. The Executive
Committee decided that no man should be al
lowed to vote unless he was known to be
democrat but the vote running go close,
both parties called on colored men. Some
who voted for Hampton, and others who vo-
ted for Chamberlain in the last general elec.
ton, responded to the call, and Of course the
Chamberlain.ite was challenged by each op-
posite party, from which general row would
start, and the party which would whip. hollow
loudest or kick highest, would come out VIC
torious and vote their man, letting the mana
gers have very little to say on the matter.
Such were the proceedings during the whole
morning, and until about four o'clock in the
evening, when dark clouds came up from the
southwest and drove a great many of the
"peaceable" citizens home, which left the
rowdies to settle affairs. Soon the rain was
coming down in perfect torrents, and every
one rushed into the house for shelter. No
sooner had they entered, than one man was
struck by another. Then the fun began.
Then I wished that my friend, "a Voter"
might witness the result Of a primary elec.
tioh. Not less than twenty men were en-
gagged in this riot; some using, as weapons,
walking sticks, some wagon spokes, some
brass knucks and many with drawn pistols.
Out in the showering rain (for they had been
dragged and knocked out of the house) they
sent forth heavy blows, sending their victims
sprawling to the ground. The whole posse
was so mixed up until man hardly knew
whom he was fighting. No one was seriously
hurt except one good democratic negro, who
seemed to interfere in some way and was
struck in the head with q rail. But many
came out with bloody heads. In the mean
time, the hour for closing the polls came to
hand, snd the managers retreated to more
quiet and peaceable place to count the votes,
which resulted in favor of Gen. John B.
Erwin by majority of eleven.
This is only sketch of the day. No one
could imagine the trouble but those who wit
messed it. All caused by the primary system
of election l heard several men, on both
sides, say they would never support the res
pective opposite party. even if he received
the nomination. Now if that be the case,
what will be the result? Simply this: The
third mana Republican-who has already
declared himself candidate f,r Senator, will
most certainly be elected. All of these feel
ings are created by 'the primary system"
York county certainly hit the nail Oh the
head when she decided to adhere to the Con-
venton plan Of making nominations. M.