Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-12
BOURBOSTSM RAMPANT.


Great is Bourbonisn, and South Carolina
is its prophet. That element, though largely
in the minority, carries all the elections in
the state. Here is an exhibition of facts
and figures, showing systematic suppress
sion of votes, and demonstrating that a
minority, about one third of the voting
population, control the elections:
''The total vote this year is S7,S77.In 1876
1t was 1858, of which Hayes had over d.
600 and Tilden over 10000. In 1880 it was
l7O,956, of which Garfield had over $4,000
and Hancock over 10000. In
1878 Wade Hampton ran for govern
or without an opposing candidate
and polled over $4,000 votes. Between
1876 and 1882, then, the total vote has fall
len off over one-half. OR nearly $4,000 votes.
Between 1880 and 1882 it has fallen off
over $4,000 votes. But according to the
census of 1880 there are 205,7o9 voters in
the state, only 1897 of whom voted at the
last election, or rather succeeded in having
their votes counted. The number of votes
missing is 1892. Of the 87,8T votes
counted this year the Bourbons claim a
majority of 49,43S. That makes the Bour-
bon vote 67,15S, and the anti. Bourbon H.
719. It will be seen that the Bourbon to-
tai is just about third Of the voting pop
ulation given in the census
A registration law has been established
or devised so as to operate in the direction
of the suppression of votes by the multi
piled difficulties of complying with its re-
quirements Oh the part OF ignorant voters.
Hence the number registered falls far be-
low the actual number of voters in the
state.
The number of voters registered was in
round numbers 100000. and yet the vote
cast was $4,000 less than the number regis
tered. This is significant.
The real anti-Bourbon majority in the
state is 10000. Yet this is wiped out, and
the Bourbons claim a majority of some
$4,000 in the late election. This result is
not only due to the registration law, but
still more largely to ballot box stuff
fng, bulldozing and false counting.
By means the most deliberately fraud
ulent the Bourbons rule the state. They
designedly and Systematically cheat,
determined to rule at all hazards, and they
do rule.
An election under such circumstances is
& mere farce; the registration too is a
cheat and snare; and the boosted elective
franchise a nullity. Suffrage has lost its
fame. Why should an anti-Bourbon care
to meet intimidation. bulldozing, ballot
box stuffing, false counting, in cheating
registration, in order to cast his vote?
The Bourbon candidates are sure to be
declared elected, no matter what the ac-
tual majority may be against them. In no
other portion of the Union but in the
South, could such Infamous, outrageous,
and how long shall this
be permitted to succeed?
This is matter that far transcends in
magnitude and Importance any mere
party consideration. In q free, elective
government. the very vital, energizing
spirit and principle of its institutions is,
that majorities should rule. This princi-
pie is reversed in South Carolina, and
the destructive principle that a
minority shall rule is substituted. Will
this gigantic, open, unblushing system Of
fraud and cheating in elections ever cease,
SO as to cure itself? If not, some mode
for its suppression must be devised, for
every elector is constitutionally entitled
to protection in the enjoyment of his free,
electoral franchise, and that protection
must be secured, or elections are but a
shooting ,anarchical, lawless, manifestation
of mob rule