The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-26
THE PALMETTO STATE
Democratic Pictures Of
the Late Election.
NO FRAUD, NO VIOLENCE
Negro Preference for Conservative
Congressional Candidates
ELASTIC ELECTORAL WIS.
A Color Line Which Divided
Republicans.

he following letters from prominent citizens of
the First and Second Congressional districts of South
Carolina we're addressed by them to Senator Butler.
They give the side of the election story
of which so far but little has been heard.
The first letter is from Mr.. W. p OConnor. the
democratic member-elect from the Charleston dis
trict He writes
CHARLESTON, S. c., Nov. %, 1875
Hon. NJ C. BUTLER. United States SENATOR
Ny DEAR SIp-Captan Dawson has Just shown me
your letter asking for data relative to the election in
this county. beg TO call your attention to The fol-
lowing facts
BY an act Of the Legislature. approved March 90
1875, for the county OF Charleston exclusive of the
city limits there forty voting precincts and for
in all for the county. This act largely increased the
precincts previously existing. and the change by
this law augmented the number largely. The in
was made to prepare for the life and death
struggle of the radical leaders in 1876 snd to afford
the amplest facilities their followers for repeating
Upon the inauguration of our government in
1877 the Legislature set to work to correct this abuse
purposcly intended to swell the radical vote beyond
Its proper strength. and by an act approved March
d. 1875 Legislature reduced the voting precincts
throughout the State and designated for Charleston
county exclusive of the city, twentyone. and for the
city eleven. making together thirty-two. 1t was
deemed necessary this legislation to hinder
repeating, and the thrty-two sufficient to give
every voter opportunity to vote.
In 1876 the vote cast i'll Charleston county for
Congress amounted to 3.s41, and in 1878 the vote
polled for congressman was less than that of 1876 by
five hundred votes. The manner in which the
heavy vote in the two precincts of ward Three be
accounted for is follows On the morning Of the
election large numbers of negroes swarmed into the
city from the country and took in at glance the
enemy's plan of battle They determined to abandon
ward Three which has always been the fortress of
the democracy OF the city and surrounded with their
followers the polls of the remaining wards of the
city. The access TO the polls in wards One. Two.
Five, Seven and Eight. chokec up with
stream of negroes throughout the entire day render
ing it almost impossible for white democrat to
reach the boxes in either of these wards and vote.
This necessitated very large number Of democrats
living i'll the precincts that were thus blocked to
pair to ward Three and there cast their ballots In
this manner the heavy vote polled in this precinct
is accounted for The managers followed precedent
which had been established by the republicans when
they held power of swearing half dozen or more
voters at the same time where there challenge,
and receiving their ballots after administering the
oath in rapid succession.
The vote of the city in the last election is very
nearly the that it was III 1876, the difference
being very slight one way or the other and in
the country it to be expected that the
city vote would he swollen above the usual pro-
portions. can add that Mackcys defeat assured.
even throwing out my city majority. In 1876 the
democrats carried the city by about 800 majority,
and the republicans VINO were then with all their
leaders united in solid phaanx brought in from the
country precincts nearly 1000 neutrality-suspicious.,
while in 1878 Mackey came from the country into the
city with traction over 1000 majority. This defec
ton from his anticipated vote be accounted for
IN this manner:-I acquired the sympathy of many
Post Once and their employees made no opposition to
me, and by the success of my policy rendered
sral and passive the most potent factor in republican
politics i'll this city. Mackey was outgeneraed and
he knows it, and he cannot successfully dispute my
election With many regards. am. yours very truly
and faithfully. W. p. O'CONNOR.
TowssESD's LETTER.
The next letter well as all that follow, concerns
che First district. in which Mr.. Raney. colored was
the republican Congressional candidate. This from
c. p. Townsend, Circuit Judge and leading repub-
Lcsn:-
BEssErrsvnLE' s. c.. 49,.
During the last canvass for a member of Congress
from this Congressional district he First. was in
constant communication with the white and colored
voters of this marlborough county and heard the
merits of the candidates fairly discussed. Many OF
the coored people complained that Joseph H. Rainey
was not resident OF this State and had done sub
stantially nothing. while member for Congress. for
the public veal. and some expressed determination
not TO support him tor these reasons: lie did not
visit this county and his friends made earnest
efforts in his behalf. ON the Monday Immediately
preceding the election addressed the coored people
particularly at this place and advised them with
earnestness TO support Mr. Richardson Congress-
for the reason that he native and resident OF
the state. was conservative in his views and If
elected. would protect them and their interests in
Congress. / believe my advice favorably re-
ceived and adopted by Of the colored voters and
this accounts in some measure for the large majority
received by Mr. Richardson in this county OF course
other causes contributed naturally to this re-
rut. such as Mr.. Rainey's failure to visit the
county and arouse the enthusiasm Of the
rolorcd people and the apathy Of his friends.
Previous TO the election knew Of species
of intimidation having been practised by the
white people TO influence the Judgment Of the colored
voters, and am satisfied nothing done TO pro-
duce such result. On the day OF election no
distractions thrown in the way Of the colored
voters getting to the polls exercising free choice
IN voting fo- candidates. heard OF no violence or
even alteration words At any polling place in this
county on the day Of election. The election fairly
conducted and the count honest, far as know or
have heard feel authorized. therefore. in express
Ing the belief that the majority received ia this
county by Hon. J. s. Richardson for Congress was
eair and honest. Yours very truly.
G. r. TOWNSEND.
FvFRYTHr~G LOVELY COI.UNDrk
The next is from 7. b. Fraser, recently unani.
mously elected Circuit Judge and refers to sumter
county
COLUMBIA, s. O., Nov. %, 1873.
This county has suffered ia common with the
whole state from the oppressive taxation and cor
Iupt practices OK the last eight years and there
natural restiveness among our people. in view OF
the prospect 81 the continuance in power in the
county of this corrupt party, which has been the
cause Of SO much private and public distress. The
difference between the last tax under Chamberlain
and the first und.r Hampton ten mills the
dollar. making total Of $4,000 tor this county
alone. These taxes we're exacted too from a people
who were poor, oppressed with debt and unable in
many instances to meet the current expenses of the
year out Of their crops, and whom even the neces-
chants.
samuel Lee. who was the recognized head Of the
republican party, he'd been elected in 1876 Judge OF
Probate tor sumter county, and. becoming impatient
at some objections taken 10 his election. and which
IN other counties were decided by the courts he
entered tha Judge Of Prcbates ofice at
sumter early ia 1877 by force and was
nected by force lie aftcrward got possession Of his
Office by pcaccable means the courts having decided
that his election valid, and has been allowed to
bold on with AN imperfect bond. When the last
paign about to open Lee ordered by a few
unauthorized persons to leave of the precincts at
which be proposed ~ hold republican meeting. In
snswer 10 his inquiry told MIN that this conduct
was entirely unauthorized by myself or the demo-
cratic committee. of which was chairman. II WAS
not proper tor to suggest his rerncdy--a peace
bond--whch he could have procured, and which
would have been sufficient Tor his protectlon. He
chose another mode This was In the month of July;
and before lcasing my office he told me TO
tell Colonel John J. Durgan that he intended
to hold n convention mt tho Court House within
o few days; that he had heard that his convention
was to be broken mp by him, and that he would be
prepared for him
!, This republican convention held In the Court
House, but before gong 60 the Court House Leo
Eenblcd his convention at some other point, aud
marched In procession to that point. on the main
strecf in the business centre Of the town. the
fion being attended ia procession by not less than
two hunarcd and nifty cOlorcd men, large proper
linn xll..n had clnc.alcl