The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-21
mission, uon-partisan in its mem.

mission, non-partisau in its men,
hers zip and composed OF patriotic, wise and
impartial mon, to wnom q consideration of
the gu astions Of the evils connected with our
election systems and methods might be COM
mitted with Soot prospect Of securing
unanimity in some plan for removing or
mitigating those evils.
The Constitution would permit the selec-
tion O; the commission to bs vested in the
Suprems Court il that method would give
the best guaranty of imparSiality. This COM
mission should be charged with the duty of
inuuiring into the whole subject of the law
objections as related t. the choice OF officers
of the National Government, with view
to securing to every elector free and un-
mo,ssted exercise Of the suffrage and as near
an approach to an equality OF value i'll each
ballot cast as is attainable. Il The
demand that the limitations Of suffrage
shall b, founi in thu law. and only there.
is a Just demand, and no just man should re-
seut or resist it.
It seems to me that an appeal to our peo-
pie to consider tho question OF readJustln2
our legislation upon absolutely fair nonpar-
tisan lines might find some effective re-
sponss. Many times have had occasion 70
say that laws and election methods designed
to give unfair advantages to the party max
Ing them would some time bs USED to per.
the will Of majority Of the people.
OF this we seem to have an illustration In
the recsnt State election in Alabama: There
was no Republican ticket in the field. The
contest was between white Democrats. The
Kolb party say they were refused the repre-
sentation guaranteed by law upon the elec'
ton boards, and tiat when the courts by
mandamus attempted to right this wrong, an
appeal that could not be heard until after
election made the writs Intellectual: Ballot
boxes were thrown out for alleged lrregu-
larities or destroyed, and it is asserted on
behalf OF one-half, at least, OF tho white
voters Of Alabama that the officers to whom
certificates have been given were not
honestly elected.
There is no security for the personal or po-
litical rights OF any man in a community
where any other man is deprived OF his per
sonal or political rights. The power OF tne
States over the question OF the quall1cation
of electors is ample to protect them against
the dangers of an ignorant or depraved suf-
frage. and the demand that every man found
to be qualified under the law shall be made
secure in the rights to cast free ballot ana
to have that ballot honestly counted cannot
be abated. 49,.
Our old Republican battle-cry, "a free
ballot and fair count" comes oack 10
us not only from Alabama but from other
States and from men who. dlferlng
with us widely in opinions, have
.ical debate are but a nockery if,
when the debate is ended, the judgment. OF
honest majorities is to be reversed by ballot
box frauds and tally-sheet mauipulatlons 10
the interest Of the party or party faction IN
power.
These new political movements in the
States and the recent decisions OF some OF
the State courts against unfair apportlon-
ment laws, encourage the hope that tne
practices which have prevailed may be COR
rected by the States, the laws made equal
and non-partisan, and the elections free anc
honest.
The Republican Party would rejoice at
such a solution, as a healthy and patriotic
local sentiment is the best assurance OF Tree
and honest elections.
shall again urge upon Congress that
provision be made for the appointment OF
non:.partisan commission 70 consiGer st; Tue 10
subject Of appointments and electlons, IN
their relation to the choice Of Federal OIL
GERS. ,.r.
is not possible for me to refer, even in the
briefest way, to many of the topics presented
in the resolutions adopted by the convention.
Upon all that have not been discussed have
before publicly expressed my Vlo"S.
"a change in the personnel OF National
administration is OF comparatively little
moment. If those exercising public func-
tions are able, honest, dligent and faithful,
others possessing all these qualities
may be found to take their olaces;
But the changes in the laws and
in administrative policies are OF great
moment. When public affairs have been
given direction and business has adjusted
itself to those lines any sudden change H.
wolves stoppage and new business ADJUST
ments. If the change Of direction is 50 rae
ical as to bring the commercial turn-ta table
into use the business changes involved are
not readjustnents, but reconstructlons.
"rhe Democratic Party offers pro-
pramme of demolition. The protective
policy-to which all business even t1at or
the importer, is now adjuste4-the reciproc.
ity policy, the new merchant marine, ara all
to be demolished not gradually, not taken
down, but blown up. To this programme OF
destruction il has added one constructive
feature, the re-sstablishmsnt OF State banks
Of issue.
"Tns policy Of the Republican Party is.
on the other hand. distinctively pohcy OF
safe progression and deyalopment-of new
factories, new markets and new ships. 1t
will subject business to no psrilous changes,
but offers attractive opportunities for expan-
sion upon familiar lines Very respectfully
yours, bENJAhlN hAHnioos'