The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-06-29

Desiring to obtain for the information
Of the Democracy the opinions Of our
members on the present Election law,
and especially their ideas as to the pro-
posed modification by the Legislature Of
the separate box feature, have during
the last few days endeaYorcd to interview
them in fugitive sort Of way, when
their engagements allowed it. The re-
suit is given below:
SENATOR HAMPTON
said that he had just written letter to
the Ncws anil (o,rier which expressed
his opinion Of the law and The proper
course Of the Democracy.
SENATOR BUTLER
was interrogatcd rs follows
Senator the Registration law is cx.
citing good deal Of discussion just now
aud people are talking of the propriety
Of modifying lis provisions at the extra
session Of the Legislature. Will you
| give the AcwS ami CDurier your o'inion
in regard to ii?
i scarcely know" said he, enough Of
its provisions to give an opinion, as |
have never been able to get a copy Of the
| Acts Of the Legislature, and therefore
have never read it,"
"Would you think it advisable to re-
| peal the law mt the extra session 2"
| That would depend on circumstances,
and on information am not in posses
sion Of. If .he people have not generally
registered should repeal il out and ou!.
There is no doubt that The fegis.ration
| gives the Radicals additional oppOrtu-
mites to harass and cndeayor 70 intimi-
date the white people Of the State
through the United States Courts. They
no longer have soldiers, and will now
prostitute the United States Courts to
their base party purposes. The late po-
litical trials in Charleston demonstrate
their willingness to do this, and Infamous
littlespittles and FOOLS are at hand TO obey
the orders of ti'cir masters. The revo-
lutioDary conduct OF the Radical major
ity in Congress in ousiing Southern men,
bcrs, and the arrest of registration officers
in Charleston, also show the anmus of
that party and their purpose to organize
another crusade against tie South. We
ought not to furnish them any more op-
portunities and it therefore becomes n
very grave question whether we ought
not to repeal the Registration law entire
ly, re-district the State, and clear our
decks for action in the next canvass.
Our people are npaccustomed to such n
requirement for the exercise Of The elec-
tive franchise, and need to be educated
to it. We might discuss the question on
the stump, and if desirable pass Regis
tration law in some form at the regular
session. But, as have said, this will
depend on circumstances, and upon in
formation that can only be procured
when the Legislature meets"
Some have urged that il would be in
consistent and vacillating to repeal the
law SO soon. DO you think that should
have any weght?'
''Oh, we'll, consistency is very high
virtue, but the welfare of the State and
the preservation Of good government are
much higher and eally can't see that
such consideration should enter into n
great question of public policy like this" "
You do not doubt that the Democracy
will carry the State ?"
'There is always doubt attending n
political canvass. We will carry the
State beyond peradventurc if our people
will stand together against the common
enemy, the Radical party. United and
determined action will as surely rid US
of judicial usurpntions and oppression rs
it did of the military. The former is
much more dangerous than the latter,
because more insidious and unscrupulous.
We can win the fight if everybody will
60 in to win, with or without the Regis.
tration law, but 1 should somewhat pre-
fer to go into the contest without it, and
with election machinery left us by the
Radicals-break their heads with the
stick they furnished to Us. However,
the Legislature will no doubt determine
what is wisest and best, and by that ac-
ton shall be prepared to stand"
"If tho Legislature shall determine
against repeal of the registration fea.
ture of the law, do you think that the
separate boxes for State and Congress-
ional elections should remain as now
provided for? ?"
II do not. In my opinion all of the
boxes should be placed together under
one set of managers. The law should
certainly be changed in that respect"
CONGRESSMAN AIKEN
declined to be interviewed on the subject.
He had opinions on the various provis.
iona Of the law which he was not yet
prepared to state in the press. Hewould
say, however, that the State and Federal
boxes should be put together under the
same managers. If they were left sepa-
rated the Congressional elections might
as we'll be given up.
CONGRESSMAN RICHARDSON
replied: "You ask my views on the reg
istration and separate polling.place fea-
!, tr.es of our Election law us passed by
The last Legislature. If the Legislature
undertook to revise our Election laws |
do not see how they could amend them
without engrafting upon them the regis
tration feature. 1t was bnt carrying out
a mandate of the State Constitution
which each legislator was bound to obey.
In my judgment 1t will neither DO wise
or necessary to repeal this law. 1t may
possibly be found to be necessary to ex-
tend the time allowed for registration
and perhaps 10 modify some of the minor
details of the law. Of this the legisla-
tors will be the best judges when they
meet in extra session. If it be found
then that our people have not registered
E the time for registering can be extended
If, too, it be found on the trial that by
that timo will have been given the law
! that any modification of its details are
, advisable, the notifications can and no
, doubt will then be made. But my judg.
ment is that it will not be wise to repeal
the law The opposition to il is without
foundation, and must soon pass sway.
| The rich and poor, high and low, and the
white and colored man all stand on the
same platform as to the requirem ents oi
the law and the people will very soon
see this and bo convinced that there is
,x7k 81. II Il