New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-18
MILLER AGAINST ELLIOTT.
"A lPERFECT FREE BALLOT AND FAIR
COUNT"

WHAT THE PHRASE MEANS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
-BAIIoT-Box srUFFINC AND FALSE COUNT
ING, RECORD OF CRIME AND INFAMY
THINGS FOR FRIENDS OF BALLOT
REFORM TO CONSIDER
Jpv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l
Wosbincton April 1.-THE House Committee on
Elections has lccn for some time engaged in an
Investigation Of the contested election case of Miller
against Elliott of the With south Carolina DlstTct
and il is probable that a NclcDct VIII De IcaCheu
next Tuesday. careful STUDY OF the testimony
and arguments jusifes a belief that the committee
will recommend the seating Of Miller who appears
70 have been fairly elected despite the desperate
efforts of Democratic conspliTitos to keep Republican
ballots out of the boxes. to stuff the boxes with
fraudulent ballots, and to fal.iy the counting and
returns Of the votes actually cast.
When the With District was created by the Demo
cratic legislature OF south Carolina eight years ago. the
sole aim was 10 crowd therein many practicable
Of the strong Republican precincts. 50 that the
election" of Democratic candidates for Congress in
the other six districts would not seem TO be 50 absurd
a travesty. The district was triumph OF
partisan patchwork. which arrested attention. if it
did not excite admiration. not only throughout the
United states. hut in ether civilized countries
he, ond the Atlantic 1t is safe say that even in
south Carolina there not at that time Democrat
of any influence who 80 bold bad. or 80 hope
full, as to cherish belief that the With District
would ever be represented misrcpIescncd-in Con
grcss by a member OF his party: that it would
be possible even in south Carolina. for 1000 Demo
Gratis 10 outvoe 81. 600 Republicans and wrcst The
district from their control. and then convince the
House of Representative, That such a result had been
honestly or fairly obtained. lnt the actions Of
Democratic majority in the House. dominated by
fa4Ho
speedily qrchcncd the hoTcs Of the Democratic
chivary Of the Palmetto state. and in 1esG Elliott,
Democrat was declared elected" by majority OF
532 votes in q total poll of some 1900 votes-or
something more tian one-fOurh Of the
normal voting strength Of the district.
ElIiot's "majority7 the testimony in the contest
for the seat aftelward showed beyond the shadow Of
a doubt was false and fraudulent majority. manu-
featured by the Democratic returning board, which
rejected number Of returns from Republican pre-
cncs despite the fact that said return, certified
by Democratic election officers in those precincts.
The Democratic majority in the House set the seal Of
lis approval upon that Infamous crime against free
government. In lS-- the Democrats Of the With
south Carolina District, in token of their gratitude.
not only rel Gated the crime Of 1885, but adorned II
with some and striking features and increased
Elllo's majority from 532 10 1850 votes.
This i the case which the present House must de
eide. From the record it appears that the south
ernOr Richardson. made effort 10 conceal thclf
purpose on the contrary il Was boldly proclaimed
by Governor Richardson in public speech al Chester
c.. July so. 1r-- when he declared We nave no"
the rule of minority Of 100000 over majority 81
100000 No army at Austcrliiz Waterloo or Get
tysburs coud ever be welded like that mass Of
100000 people. The only thing which stands TO-DAY
between Us and their rule is a fimsy siaiue-the
eight box law-0hich depends for 1t, effectiveness, upon
the unity Of the white people
That was said in a speech which its author deT-
cred IN behalf OK h, OWN reelection IL the Office 81
Governor. About two months atcr-on september
o. 1-s-- the Republican Executive Committee Of
the state address cd t. Governor Richardson respect
fil letter. setting forth the fact that the whole election
machinery Of the state VAS % the hand oi TIE doin'
nant party bat that such partisan control hld been
productive Of the suppression Of free vote and
honest count" and suggesting that, " hy virtue Al a
vastly prcponderating number. we think il would be
but an act OF simple justice. and in the interest OF
a fair full and honest election, that representation
in the county and precinct election boards be- granted
L, the Republicans. Tie committee asked therefore,
t,at the Governor would appoint "at least one Re
pablican Commissioner Of Election In each county
and through them one Republican manager at each
Of the voting precincts for ecctlr, and Congressman
throughout the state The committee as' reminded
the Governor that the With Congressional District
! which was set apart by Democratic legislators Tor
tho Republicans had been invaded by the Democratic
and almost sDl'JIulN ihil'u pl'Nr' W'h'n.' "i"
the free will Of the electors shed. by the partisan
! actions Of board, Of election officers, composed tn
tirely Of Democrats
Governor Richardson not only denied this reason
able re1uest but he did 80 In letter which VIII be
REGARDED Ly every flirnlndcd man who may read
II in the light Of the sworn and unoonifadctcd tcst4
monv IN the Miller. Elliott case one Of The most
lnpndcnt and insulting documents eyer I"rncd by
,he Governor Of any state. lie declared that 10 ap
roint a representative Of the Republican party on
each Election Board would cudan-rr I'D" 'pnilnu
ance If the perfectly free. fair and peaceful elections
that are the proud boast and the highest achievement
| Of Democratic rule in tins ~tic"-a " rule which. TO
nsc his own words f. tine rule Of IA minority ~
| 100000 over a majority If "oOoOO.' Inspired by
his own clooucncc and a rash belief confidence 30
his ability 10 deceive somebody H. regard 10 Demo
cratic election methods In south Carolina. Governor
| Richard. on continued The di,enceini scenes and
| interruptions mauiiulitious q elections. 50 con
fcs-cdlv prevalent during the day, II Republican
rule are now happily thing, Of the past. and can
| never return under the beuign"nt sway OF Demo
cratic principles. To- cur,c and blight with ticr hor-
ror, The peaceful pro- crous course Of All the people
| If south Carolina. 70 the eternal honor OF our
state and The Democratic party il can now be SAID
that our elections the frecs and airest IN the
world and that not a single citizen Of her. no mat
ter what his rank, color or condition, can, under her
lust and equal lsns impartally administered they
! are, by auy pcrvcr,On or intimidation be barred at
The polls from the free and ;nll exercise Of hi, su
iragc There is not only perfect freedom In voting,
but the amplest protection afforded the VOTERS
The letter concluded with the following sentences
u cannot refrain from bringing 70 sour attention, In
this connection, the fact That your committee can
scarcely be said u represent an organized party, a.
the comato,e condition Of the remnant Of the Ecpub
leans in this state for many years past would snrcis
ietfv the non recognition Of alleged rights and con
sequences urgently demanded and strongly asserted
Tx YOU. ! VIII only add that the whole people Of
-outh Carolna-cvery voter within her borders car
safely rest in the absolute assurance Of having at ih'
coming elections the fullest opportunity # expressing
their will through the constitutional aud American
method Of a perfect free ballot and fair count
These words be ii remembered, were pcnncd hS
the same man who, only two months before had
faithfully described Democratic rule IN south Carolina