The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-11-28

such principle brings its own punish
ment, and while not intending to de
u liver a moral lecture, say emphati
cally that the adoption Of wrong mean
to bring about an end that is oven s,
commendable and apparently neces
sary, can but bring demoralizatio,
and debasement of those high ant
patriotic principles which should evel
actuate us in the discharge of publ,
duty.
What have we passed through? Al
and fraud, which while it accom-
plished the purpose it was intended
for, must ever be an era we must de
plore.
10 relieve us of the necessity of re-
sorting to such means to maintain
white supremacy and keep the govern
| ment in the hands of intelligent and
fhonest men. the eight-box law was
passed, coupled with the registration
of exectors.
Practically this was an educational
qualification of suffrage, and was a
step, long step, in the right direction.
1t has served a good purpose, and nc
white man in this State has ever been
heard to complain of this law. But it
does not go far enough. 1t is great
| %,
even here there is possibility of the
election to any given position of can
didate by concentration of the igno-
rant voters,) but in these days, when
| so much depends on the result of ma
tional elections, it is necessary to bring
these elections under the plan success
fully operated elsewhere, as I will
show, that will require certain
amount of intelligence and education
to enable the to elector to cast his bal
lot.
But beyond all this, what are the
conditions that confront us? do not
suppose that ever before has the pub
lie mind been so aroused on the ques-
lions OF the day-the questions of
finance, the tariff and tariff reform,
civil service reform, the liquor ques-
tion, to say nothing of the hetero-
geneous mass of issues that arise out
OF the discussions on the subject of the
equalization of taxation, relations of
corporations to the government, ETC.,
etc. The public mind is awake to
these questions and the solution OF
them depends on those who are elected
to public positions, and 1 cannot dwell
too strongly on the Importance of
bringing to bear at our elections an
intelligent appreciation of the ques-
tions at issue. This being the case, l
advocate the full and free discussions
of all questions that arise the fuller
and freer the discussion the better---
but after this, plead for the untram-
meled vote of our people-a right that
shall be exercised in secret without
fear and without prejudice.
The adoption of the Australian bal
lot, such as ] propose, will enable us
to avoid the permiscious consequence
of our old system and will enable us
to conduct over elections on high
plane when we can call on any citi-
zen to act as manager of election, and
he can do so without feeling that in
discharging the duties of the position
he will be expected to do anything
that can offend q clean C. tender con-
science, and that in carrying out the
provisions Of the law he will have done
nothing that needs apology or justifica-
tion.
Thoughtful and patriotic men desire
pure and tranquil elections, conducted
under such plan as will insure the
free and intelligent expression of the
popular will. The Australian system
offers the nearest approach to the ideal
election, and while the suffrage is q
question that has agitated every
civilized country and has had the care
full consideration of the most enlighten-
ed people, this system after great study,
has been finally adopted by Great
Britain, Canada and Australia, and
the main essence of the system by
many European countries, and to come
to our own country many of the States
have adopted it in some form.
In no case whore such law has
been tried lnas it been repealed, but
Uh off IN, hof 10,
have been made they have proved
futile; showing that it has worked to
the popular satisfaction and fills o
public want.
This movement of ballot reform is
one that cannot go backward, and the
more the subject is examined the more
earnestly is the desire to extend it's
application.
Several Southern States have adop-
ted this system for the same reason
that we desire it now. While it is ar
gued by its opponents that it will dis
franchise some white voters l will say
that the principle of the greatest good
to the greatest number must hold with
us. / will assure my follow Democrats
that diligent care will be bestowed
upon them to enable them to under
stand this law, if, indeed, it is adopted
system will be eventually adopted |
have no doubt, whether my bill is
passed or not, and may be pardoned
for being conscious of such State pride
as makes mo anxious for South Caro-
lima to keep abreast of the times in all
deserving reforms and in progress.
BY some, objection is made to this
measure on the ground that it will be
unnecessary. inasmuch as we are to
have constitutional convention, and
that convention will place an educa-
tional and property qualification on the
| suffrage.
In reply to this l will urge that that
convention is rot an assured fact, and
at all events it cannot be held before
the next election, and if, by any action
taken when it is held, this system
should not be needed it will then be
easy enough to repeal it, but until some.
thing better is offered | would urge the
adoption of this measure.
hold that it will accomplish certain
results:
lst. Maintenance of white supre
negro vote of this State is illiterate
and even many of those who can reaC
will not be able to exercise the suf
frage under this system. | estimate
that this law would change our voting
population from 100, 900 whites to 120,'
600 colored voters to 10000 whites ant
10000 cOlored voters.
End. 1t would ensure secret anC
untrammeled vote--which would d,
much to rid us of that oxcresence OF