The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-10-10
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON'S REPLY.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA. S. c., Sept. %, 'S9.
To E. II. Brayton, Thos. E. Miller,
Stephen A. Swails, Thos. A. Saxon,
G. E. Herriott, Committee on the
Part of the Executive Committee OF
the Republican Party:
GENTLEMEN: / have carefully consld-
cred the preamble and resolutions which
in behalf, as you claim, of the Republi-
can party of South Carolina, you yes
terday presented for my consideration
and action, as well 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 / have arrived, it would answer
no good purpose that l can perceive to
expose what must be so evident to those
thoroughly acquainted with the condi-
ton of parties IN this State-the fallaci-
GUS statements of the one and the un-
sound reasoning of the other. 1t will be
sufficient simply to say that in my jadg-
ment departure from the wisely estab.
lisLed methods and principles upon
which these appointments are made
would endanger the perfectly free. fair
and peaceful elections-the professed
object of your desire-thst are the proud
boast and the highest achievement OF
Democratic rule in this State.
It may, with great truth, be said that
honest elections are the true tests OF
pure government, and constitute the
only faithful expression OF the popular
will, which it is their sole mission to
elicit. No machinery, however perfect,
can accomplish a result so essential to
representative government without the
instrumentality of agents, both intelli-
gent enough to thoroughly understand
the law and to carry out its 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. Those dis
graceful scenes and INSCRIPTIONS manip-
ulations of elections so confessedly
prevalent during the days of Republican
rule, are now, happily, things of the
past, and can never return under the
benignant sway of Democratic princi-
ples. to curse and blast with horrors the
peaceful, prosperous course OF all the
people of South Carolina.
70 the eternal honor of our State and
the Democratic party, it can now be
said that our elections are the freest and
fairest in the world, and that not a sin
gle citizen of hers, no matter what his
rank, color or condition, can, under her
Just and equal laws, impartially admin
istered rs they are, be by any perversion
or intimidation deharred at the polls
from the free and full exercise OF his
suffrage. There is not only perfect
freedom in voting, but the amplest pro-
lection afforded the voter.
/ shall, therefore, with deep sense OF
the responsibility resting upon me to pre-,
serve, 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 unquestloned patriot
ism as will give all the people OF South
Carolina the confident assurance OF having
in the coming elections the fullest, frcest
and tairest expression of their will.
To these boards will be entrusted the
designation Of precinct managers, duty
| am sure that they will not only discharge
faithfully, but the responsibilities OF which
they will justly appreciate.
| 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 represent an organ.
lied party, as the comatose condition OF
the remnant of the Republicans in this
State for many years past would surely
justify the non-recognilion OF alleged rights
and consequences so urgently demanded
and strongly asserted by you. will only