The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-10
Governor Richardson's Reply.
The following Is the Governors reply, made

/ GOVefHOr hIcuHrubOHS heplys
The following is the Governors reply, made
this afternoon:
STATE SOUTH CAROLINA,
! EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
/ COLUMBIA, Sept. %. 1888.
| To E. Nj. Brayton, Thomas E.. Miller, Ste
phen A. Swails, Thomas A. Saxon, G. E. Her.
| lot, committee on the part Of the executive
committee Of the Republican party:
i GentleInen-I have carefully considered the
preamble and resolutions which, IN behalf as
Carolina, you yesterday presented for my con.
sideration and action, as well as the remarks
made by Mr.. Thomas E. Miller, a member OF
your committee in advocacy Of the same.
which have arrived, 1t would answer no
good purpose, that can perceive to expose
what must be so evident to those thoroughly
acquainted with the condition of parties In
this State-the fallacious statement Of the
one and unsound reasonings OF the other. 1t
will be sufficient simply to say that in my
these appointments are made, would endan-
ger Of the perfectly free, fair and peaceful elec
tions-the proud boast and the highest
| It may, with great truth, he said, that hon.
est elections are the test OF pure government.
and constitute the only faithful expression OF
the popular will, which 1t Is their sole mission
can accomplish result SO essential to repre-.
sentative government without the instru-
| mentality Of agents both intelligent enough
to thoroughly understand the law and to car
Of character that will command the conf
deuce Of the elector and be sure guarantee
against the evil and corrupt practices once 50
and
elections 30 confessedly prevalent during the
days OF Republican rule are now happily
things OF the past, and can never return un-
ciples to s curse and blight with Their horrors
pie Of South Carolina.
To the eternal honor of our State and the
| Dem ocratio party, 1t can now be said that our
. elections are the freest and fairest In the
world, and that not single citizen of hers,
no matter what his rank, color or condition,
iy administered as they are, be debarred at
the polls from the free and full exercise of his
suffrage. There is not only perfect freedom
in voting, but the amplest protection afforded
I shall, therefore, with deep sense of the
| responsibility resting upon me to preserve to
the best Of my ability the purity or the ballot
SO happily restored in this State, appoint to
election in the several counties, men of such
known intelligence, high character and un.
questionable patriotism, as will give all the
people of South Carolina the confident assur-
ance of having In the coming election the
fullest, freest and fairest expression of their
will.
| 10 these boards Will De entrusted the deSlg-
nation OF precinct managers, q duty I am
sure that they will not only discharge faith
fully, but the responsibilities OF which they
will justly appreciate
| 1 have thus frankly and succinctly stated
| the main considerations that will guide my
action In the appointment of these election
boards, but cannot refrain from bringing to
your attention in this connection the fact that
your committee can scarcely be said to repre-
sent an organized party, as the comatose con-
dition Of the remnant OF the Republicans In
this State for many years past would surely
justify the non-recognition OF alleged rights
and consequences so urgen tly demanded and
that the whole people Of South Carolina
every voter within her border can safely
rest in the absolute assurance of having at
the coming election the fullest opportunity Of
expressing their will through the constitu-
| tional and American method OF perfectly
free ballot and fair count
! Respectfully.
| J. F. RICHARDSON,
! Governor.