The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04

1--WE respectfully and earnestly ap-
peal to your Excellency in the interest
of fair play and an honest election, and
in the name of one hundred and fifty
thousand Republican voters, represent
ing over seven hundred thousand peo-
pie, to accord us representation In the
management of the approaching elec-
ton.
Resolved, That we ask this as Ame-
rican citizens and representatives of
one Of the great parties ofthis Republic,
believing that we are entitled to it as
an act of justice.
(Signed) "IE. NJ. BRAYTON,
''THos. E. MILLER,
''STEPHEN A. SWAILS,
"rHos. A. SAXON,
&c. z. HERIOT."
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON'S REPLY.
The following is the Governors rep
ly, made this afternoon:
STATE SOUTH CAROLINA,1
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, Sept. %, 1888.
To E. NJ. Brayton, Thomas E. Mil
Ter, Stephen \. Swails, Thomas A.
Saxon, 6. E. Heriot, committee on the
part Of the executive committee of the
Republican party: Gentlemen-I have
carefully considered the preamble and
resolutions which, in behalf, as you
claim, of the Republican party of fSouth
Carolina, you yesterday presented for
my consideration and action, as we'll as
the remarks made by Mr.. Thomas e.
Miller, member of your committee
in advocacy of the same.
"In announcing to you the conclusion
at which Ihaye arrived, it would an
swer no good purpose, that can per-
ceive TO eXpose-what must be so. evil
dent to those thoroughly acquainted with
the conditin of parties in this State
the fallscious statement of the one and
unsound reasoDings of the other. twill
be sufficient simply to say that in my
judgment a departure from the wise
ly-established methods and principles
upon which these appointments are
made, would endanger of the perfectly
free, fair and peaceful elec ! 'ns-the
proud beast ard the highest achieve
ment of Democratic rule i'll this State.
"It may, with great Truth, he said,
that honest elections are the test Of
pure government, and constitute the
only faithful expression of the popular
will. which it is their sole mission to
elicit. No machinery, however pei feet,
can accomplish result 50 essential 10
representative government without the
instrumenta]ity ofagents both intelli-
gent enough to thoroughly y understand
the law and 10 carry ort lis provisions,
and Of that high probity of character
that will command the confidence of
the elector and be sure guarantee
against the evil and corrupt practices
once so dominant in this State. These
.disgraceful scenes and unscrupulous
smanipulations of elections so confessed
ly prevalent during The days of Repub-
lican rule are now happily things Of
the past, and can never return under
the benignant sway of Democratic
prinei pies to curse and blight with
their horrors the peaceful, prosperous
course of all the people of South Carroll
ma.
ITO the eternal honor Of our State
and the Democratic party, it can now
be said that our elections ale the freest
and fai"est in the world, and that not
single citizens Of hers, no matter what
his rank, color or condition, can, under
her just and equal laws, hnpartialiy
administered as they are, be debarred
at the polls from the free and full eXer-
else of his suffrage. There is not only
perfect freedom in voting, but the arup-
lest protection afforded the voter.
II shall, therefore, with a deep sense
ofthe responsibility resting upon me 70
preserve to the best of my ability the
purity of the ballot so happily restored
in this State, appoint to the important
position Of commissioners OF 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 con-
fident assurance Of having i'll the COM
ing election the fullest, freest and fairest
expression of their will.
ITO these boards will be entrusted
the designation of precinct managers,
a duty 1 am sure that they will not
only discharge faithfully, but the re-
sponsibilitics Of which they will justly
appreciate.
II have thus frankly and succinctly
stated the main considerations that will
guide my action in the appointment Of
these election boards, but I cannot re-
frain from bringing to your attention
| in this connection the fact that your
| committee can scarcely be said to
| represent an organized party, as the
conatose condition Of the remnant OF
| the Republicans in this State for many
years past would surely justify the nom
recognition of ofalleged rights and conse-
quences so urgently demanded and
strongly asserted by you. will only
add that the whole people, Of South
! Carolina-every voter within her bor-
der-can safely rest in the absolute
assurance of having at the coming cleo
ton the fullest opportunity Of expires
sing,their will throughIthe constitution
al and American method Of 3 perfect
ly free ballot and fair count.
| Respectfully,
| J. P. RICHARDSON,
| "GovernOr."
\