Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-12
BOURBONFSM R4JgP4NT.

ROCHEONESA KEJgP1NT.
Great is Bourhonism, and South Carolina
is its prophet. That elemer- Though largely
in the minority, carries all tine elections in
the state. Here is an exhibition of facts
and figures. showing q systematic suppress
sion of votes, and demonstrating that
minority, about one third of the voting
pc pula ton, contr Of the elections:
"The total vote this year is S7,S77.In 1876
it was 1S2,6S2, of which Hayes had over 91.-
600 and Tilden over $4,000. In 1880 it WAS
17O,95S, of which Garfield had over $1,000
and Hancock over 112,O00. In
1873 Wade Hampton ran for govern
or without an opposing candidate
and polled ever 10000 votes. Between
1876 and 1882, then, the total vote has fall
len of over ore-haif. or nearly 50, 600 votes
Between 1880 and 1882 it has fallen off
over 2,oO0 votes. But according to the
census of 1880 there are 205, 789 voters IN
the state, only 1887 of whom voted at the
last election, or rather succeeded IL having
their votes counted. Tire number of votes
missing is 1892. OF the S7.S77 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.
713. 1t will be seen that the Bourbon to-
tai is just about third Of the voting pop
ulation given i'll the census
A registration law has been established
Or devised so as to operate il the direction
Of the suppression OF votes by the multi
piled difficulties OF complying with its re-
quirements on the part OF ignorant voters.
Hence the number registered falls far be-
low the actual number Of voters in TIE
state.
The number of voters registered was in
round numbers 10000, 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 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, bulidozing 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
a mere farce; the registration too is a
cheat and snare: and the boosted elective
franchise nullity. Suffrage has lost its
fame. Why should an anti-Bourbon care
to meet intimidation, bulldozing, ballot
box stufiing, false counting. in cheating
registration, in order to cast his vote
- L.
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,
deliberate election frauds succeed;
and how long shall this
be permitted to succeed?
This is matter that far transcends in
magnitude and Importance any mere
party consideration. In 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. VIII
this gigantic, open, uubiushing 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 c1nstitutionally 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.