The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-03

choice. but that they should vote for men on
their merits. He said IL was the very essence
of our government that the Executive, LegiS-
| lative and Judicial should be kept separate
and distinct and that 1t would be a fatal blow
! If - Legislature should be elected Subservient
| to any one man.
Speech Of Hon. j. +. Robertson.
Mr.. President, Ladies' and Gentlemen
1t Is with pleasure that appear before you
to-day to fulfill an appointment made by the
Democratic Executive Committee OF Able
willie county. The new Democratic Constitu-
| tion wisely provides for this meeting, so that
the people may meet face to face with those
who offer the mselveS as candidates for places
| in the General Assembly Of South Carolina us
! We'll as county officers.
| This Is Il wise provision. belong to that
party of Democrats who believe that the peo-
pie should rule, and not the ring or close
corporation as heretofore prevailed In South
| Carolina. 1t Is for you and every single voter
OF Abberille county to form his own opinion
and make his choice rs to who You think Will
best represent you and your interest
| Now, my fellow citizens, with this principle
ever before you, you Can not materially err
the Democratic party contending for suprem-
acy, and 1t is for you 10 choose this day which
you will follow
The Conservative faction. as they call them
selves. Is represented by MIR. w. c. MCGOWAN,
who has just addressed you. He lays down
his platform which consists OF four planks.
He proposes to go before the people of Able.
Vile county, and upon this platform he hopes
| to win. II Is this: the lien law should not be
| repealed; the proposed bill for q county gov
ernment should not prevail; educational or
property qualification for suffrage, and the 50
| poll tax.
Now. my friends, will try to prove. and
think I can convince you. that there Is not a
living issue In single plank OF his platform.
First. the lien law. The only and best reply
| that can make 10 this plank Is the action OF
the late House Of Represen tatives on The bill
| To repeal the lien law. One Jealous member,
who thought the law should be changed or re-
pealed, brought forth q bill and after advo-
eating 1t In a long speech II was submitted to
a vote, and as we'll az / remember there was
but one who was favorable to the bill, and
this was the action OF Il Tillmanitc Leglsu-
ture. Does thut look like we wanted IL re.
| pealed?
The next plank has the proposed bill In the
late House Of Representatives TO change the
county government.
Now, 10 explain more fully the necessity or
| the expressed wish OF the people for some
change in our county government, we must
| refer to your action at the ballot box two
years ago when you, or two-thlrds OF the legal
voters OF Abbeville county decided to eimi-
nate or take from the Constitution of South
Carolina the Office OF County Commissioners
Why did the people do this? Is 1t not appa.
rent that they wanted some change in The
county government?
With this before the Legislature that body
brought forth bill which was amended and
features anu in the main was a good BILL
Had 1t passed and when put 10 Il test its i'm
perlections could have hereafter been repeal
ed or changed. But this is dead issue. It IL
simply an old bill Of the last Legislature
| which failed to pass, and | contend IL Is not
proper TO discuss II. II the people meant the
question OF change In the county govern
| ment discussed, think that would be proper
but not the old bill which Is now dead.
The next plank of Mr.. McGowan's platform
| Is qcalhed suffrage.
| Now, Mr.. McGowan knows very we'll that
the qualification OF voters Is a constitutional
provision, and that whatever may be the
opinion OF any one 1t will require a change In
| the Constitution, and this change must be
thirds of the voters of south Carolina. II Is
| you. my fellow citizens, the people, who
| make COnstitutons,-nOL Governors, nor Leg
| islatureS. 1t Is you who have the power TO
say what your Constitution shall be, and now
while on that subject will say that If you re-
elect Inc to a seat IN the House OF Representa-
tiveS that Will vote tor u resolution to sub
nit 10 you the question OF whether or not
you want To call a Constitutional Convention,
| but there is one thing that you may depend
| upon-never Will l consent To disfranchise
any white citizen OF South Carolina, never
| will agree 10 take The vote from him.
| Mr.. McGowan's fourth and last plank Is the
much discussed s. poll Tax. The Constitution
of South Carolina fixes the polls to be levied
Annually at 81, no more, nor no less, upon al
male citIZens between the uges OF Fl and 50,
who are able to earn support. This tax Is
applied exclusively to school purposes. GOV.
Tulmap In his wisdom looking after all OF
| The educational advantages o! South Carolina
suggested in his inaugural address tnut some
changes ought 10 he made in our coin mon
system, suggested that the poll be raised to S.,
solely Tor the benefit of the schools, and espe-
cial ) for those schools located IN the extreme
country, where, In my opinion, the education
al advantages Is little more than sham, q
farce. | ask you, my friends, are you salts
| fled with the schools OF your country? Do
| hplipyn tlnl children he cd II.
Gated under the present system without some
plan that Will enable you 10 employ more el-
iicient teachers and keep your schools open
longer? will answer for you, No. And In
my opinion in ten or fifteen years you will
find the Iliteracy in the country appalling.
/ say the country, for centres such as towns,
villages and cities, take care OF themselves.
| In such places they often assess themselves
and have good schools.
This increase of the poll 10 s. Gov. Tillman
thought was the most equitable way TO I'M
prove the country schools. The fund raised
under the constitutional levy of two mills is
about all that property will bear. The public
fund now raised Is equally divided between
The races. The colorrd race contributing Il
very small proportion, under this s. poll levy
| II would bear equally upon both races.
| Now, my fellow citizens, something must be
done 10 relieve the schools. ! am ready To re-
celve any suggestion from The opposition.
| Let them give us something better, II moth
ing Is Offered IT shows that they are not look
| Ing at The true interest OF the poor people Of
our country.
Now, my friends, you have the three dollar
poll tax before you. Consider IL carefully,
and believe that you will come TO the con-
clusion that in the absence Of anything bet
ter, that it would be Il good. law. The people
| need have no fears about II, il will require Il
change in the Constitution which Will take
about two years 10 carry into effect, If even
made. and you Will have an opportunity OF
expressing your wish ut the ballot box twice
upon the subject.
My friends have consumed 50 much Of my
time in replying TO Mr.. McGowan, that /
must make the remainder OF my remarks
short. appear before you not only as cali
dldutc for reelection To Il scat In the House oi
| Representatives., but also to account to you
| Tor my stewardship as one OF your Represen-
| lativcS In the last Legislature. am ready to
answer to any charge or explain any vote
made by me, as your Representative. ! VS.
not leu by John L. Haskell Of The opposition
as some have charged did my uuty bold
IS and fcarlessly. ever Keeping in mind the
| 10 Suy by your ballots whether Or not you
want me to agaiC represent you in the Legis-
lature.
| IN conclusion, allow me to thank you for
the very complimentary vote cast lor me at
| this box two years ago, and | AIN sure that
| there Is no one who would more highly eS-
teeu the compliment OF IL renewed express
sion of confidence coming from the people OF
| LowhucSyille.
Speech of MIR. ID. Ii. MagiII.
The next speaker introduced was Mr.. d. II
| Into far IA IA