National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-04
SOUTH CAROLINA.
SOUND SENSE FROM THAT STATE.
The Fraudulent Practices in the EleetiOns-The
New Election Law Of the state-The Spirit
Of the Malone Doctrine Alive
What Is Expected.
To the Editor of THE Rrrun1ioAs,

To the Editor OF TIE REPUBLfcANi
The Bourbon Legislature having closed It's ses-
sion in South Carolina, an observer finds many
useful lessons In reviewing the lnbors of such q
body. This body Of law makers at the commence
ment Of It's sitting had confronting II the restless
spirit OF public sentiment, even ut home among n
liberal class of its own concerning the wisdom OF
the policy Of perpetuating the Democratic govern
ment by means Of tissue ballots, intimidation Of
voters, and other well.known illegal practices by
which the Democratic party in South Carolina had
obtained the government Of n people without their
consent
THESE FRAUDULENT PRACTICES
at elections had become n stencil among the bet
ter classes Of the South. who declared that the
teachings of balot-box suffers ei id oinne genus,
was demoralizing 10 their youth even though IL
deprived the negro of the exercise of his suffrage
IN effect and gave TO declining aristocracy Offices
and emoluments which they were not entitled TO.
Aud again. the death of President Garfield put an
end to the hope entertained, and the belief firmly
relied on. that they Che Lamars. Hamptons, and
people with the promise that the government Of
the South should be toward loyalty, aud It's laws
applied TO the securing Of Justice and equality.
Aud lastly, there was
TROUBLE WITHIN ITS OWN CANT.
Mahonesm or the doctrine of the souths saliva
tion from Bourbon rule has taken root In South
Carolina. lndependents, or ci uzens who desiring
good government, yet maintained that no govern
ment could last TINT was built upon fraud and in
Justice began TO break loose from the dictstion OF
Bourbon caucuses and accepted nominations for
office from citizens without regard TO party. In
this situation Republicans frequently found the
authors and condiutors of tissue ballots
tha their eS1SDU~ Sosa ooSaes sSsas nhd da'eS oudss n
their demands for " free election aud a fair
count" Thus the instructions taught returned 10
plngue the inventor. In this new movement Of
shaking on the cbaius of Bourbon misrue and
defeating party whose chief aim is to disregard
the rights Of the poor whites, as well as trample
no ri OH af lha aka
the poorer class Of whites, the laborers, artisans,
and small farmers have combined with the Re-
pubcnns convinced that their only use Is to stuff
the ballot box, to elect the Bourbon aristocrat TO
Office, and to receive as compensation bad laws,
which serve to make the poorer and the rich
richer.
IN ORDER TO CHECK THE so.cALLEp EVIL
influences OF this independent spirit our Legisla-
| ture has enacted some laws which in pernicious
| public influence put the Star Chamber to shame
| An election law has been enacted which provides
| for eight several boxes Mt every polling place
and why2 The true inwardness OF this law Il
best seen In the fact that the said Legislature
| endeavored TO pass al educational qualification
suffrage law, but finding this u two
edged sword, exchanged Il for one, which
| the blow as well as him who received IT, Thli
law is said to be enacted to prevent fraud At elec
| tions. Fraud by whom? Is not this an additiona
confession TO Senator Hamptons and the Oft
repeated declarations OF the Democratic organ, The
| Neipe aud Courier. that the Democratic governments
| was established by fraud untold fraud at cleo
tions2 Yet here even to dny tile ears of Republi
| cans. who amidst veal and woe have stood II
| front of the enemy's fire, are pained with tn,
story that "Mackey, Lee, and Smalls will not ge
| their seats"
WHAT REPUBLICAN IN THE NORTH
| believes that Dibble, Richardson, and Tilmau
| were elected by majority OF votes cast2 If so
| why does not Mr. Dibblc stand on the merits of hi
contest Cana change In phraseology OF testimon.
alter fact? But Mr. Dbbles last coup is a NANTES
case of Il drowning man catching at n feather
But ! am digresSing. My purpose is to shov
that the splrt OF the Malone doctrine IL alyc will
| us, and the teachings OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLI
| CAN shall he our guide. We are willing TO cast ou
votes with the oppressed, without regard 10 colo
or party creed. A party whose platform declare
a higher and broader and just education for TN
for all shall receive our votes for in such plat
form we recognize the essential principles of Re
publicaniSm
THERE ARE MANY oTHRR UNJUST LAWS
enacted by late Legislature TO oppress the poor
The fence law" has a similitude of economy
but Its true purpose 10 to cheek the possibilities
the poor mans comfort. Is 1t not less burdensom
for a rich land-own to fence q thousand acre
than for poor man to bo deprived of the use an(
benefit of his hogs, cows, goats, and sheep2 Wha
remains to be done now Is that Congress SHOULD
pass such laws as will protect the voter in the
ercise of the ballot. The National Government
ought TO have some effective control over tn
election of Congressman and the practice of Stat
managers refusing the United States supervisor
enter the precincts of the poll, as was done in tn
South during the recent general election, shoull
be put beyond possibility by laws duly enforced
The late election law of this State il conceived Il
the iniquiy Of fraud. ard its purpose is to comml
like frauds by new methods and time will prov
the truth of this assertion. In closing let me sa
that proper support of the new method cannc
fail to restore good government and just law
More anon. D. 8.
CHARLRsToN. S. c., Fob. 81, 1882.