The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-28

teachers in the colored school amount to
81. $50 per wear, not to mention the cost Of
coal and other iucidentals. Nevertheless he
would he glad to see them have II good school
building. The colored people are complain
ing abou, the school, and yet they do not
support it. Within the year the attendance
has considerably decreased, while they have
supported the private schools.
The chairman asked Mr.. Moses whether the
negroes could be excluded from the regular
city e.ec,ion. He answered, No; as the law
allows every citizen, who has registered, to
vote.
Mr. A. Schwerin asked Can an 1nde-
pendent candidate not run and be elected by
the negro vote if he commands a part of the
white vote? What is to prevent his election,
since, the difference between the white and
negro vote is so slight2" Mr. Moses replied (:
There are TOO many sensible negroes in this
city. who know who are their real friends and
will not be- commanded By an Independent
candidate, to make his election certain. A
boiling candidate will receiTe out q small
portion of the white vote, and 20 man who
values the respect of the community would
think aoout going against the Intelligence aud
responsibility Of the city. Such a candidate
could not be considered.
Mai Marion Noise said On previous occa.
sions such movements have been voted down
br the democrats Of Sumter because no real
necessity for having n Primary existed At
this time no necessity exists and there
is no use to precipitate n contest. 1t 10 true
that sucn an organization will draw the DEM
ocrats together, but it will also widen the
breach between the whites and negroes. If
the Republicans should make improper de-
mands, there would then be a necessity OF
Democratic organization. But there seems
to he no such demands. The negroes are not
fitted for Aldermen nor policemen-they have
been tried and found unsatisfactory-and
there is no use to get alarmed over The ques-
ton at this time. The single question before
the meeting, is whether improper demands
have been made of the candidates. so,
there is need Of a Primary, if not no neces-
sity. Let any one show cause for aPrlmary
and / will favor it, but in the present condi-
ton there is no good reason for this meeting
to do anything but adjourn.
A.. B. Stuckey, in reply said, There is a
reason for the Primary. The negroes have
held meetings and organized. They have
made demands, and this is, in itself sufficient
cause for the Primary. We have heard the
demand made on one of the candidntes, and
his reply: but nothing from the other candi-
date. The candidates should have come be-
fore this meeting and stated their position.
We should know their position and also what
the negroes have demanded.
C. C. Manning said the matter had gotten
back to the starting point. He had speci6-
eaily called for the demands made on the can
didates, and it was but right that they should
be laid before the meeting.
Frank A. Little said that he had heard L.
E. Walkers speech. Walker said that the
negroes should see the candidates and find
out which would promise them the most and
then they should support the one that prom
Used the most.
Capt. A. C. Phelps made a statement at
request OF Rev. Scott (col. one of the COM
mit,ee appointed by the negro meeting. Scot.
said that the committee had met and decided
that the white people pay the taxes and they
were entitled 10 the government OF the city
and that the negroes should support the nom-
inee of the Democrats. No demands had
been or would be made by the committee.
E. J.. Dunno asked what guarantee have
the Democrats that the negroes will not, at
the last minute, put out a ticket and attempt
to capture the election If the Democrats
allow the electioa to 60 without organization,
and divided among themselves, bow are they
to prevent the negroes from debating wto
shall be elected
Mr.. Ingram: 1t will not do to put a bit of
confidence in any declaration from the
negroes that they will not make demands nor
interfere in the election, This would be the
very trick they would select to create conf.
dence, and they play us a scnrvey trick.
therefore second Mr.. Moses's motion.
C. C. Manning seconded Mr. Moses motion.
Maj. n. F. Wilson took the floor and said I:
The Whites have always carried the elections
here as they wished. Negroes had served on
the police force and in the council and no
great evil had resulted. When the whites
decided that they would control the council
there had been no trouble TO carry the cleo
ton without a PRIMARY. l am heartily in
favor of the primary system on principle, but
do not think we should be driven into q
Primary at this time by a myth. The
negroes have held meetings. What of that
The W candidates now before the people are
go far above any suspicion of evil coalition
with the negroes tbst We should not regard
the umorsa foat. Either one will serve the
city as Mayor to the satisfaction of all the
people. No mistake will be made, no matter
which is elected. | for one an ready to go to
the polls as 1t l5 without tue intervention OF d
Primary. endorse the sentiments of Maj
Noise. There is no use to destroy the feeling
Of unity between the whites and negroes:
Besides it is too late to hold a Primary, and
the candidates now announced should 60
before the whole people. 1t is still a ques-
ton whether demands have been made i'm.
properly. If a Primary is held it will be a
mistake, and we should not be driven TO make
a mistake by mere street rumors.
Mr.. W. A. Bowman being called on by Mr.
r.. Schwerin, said shat the committee from
the negro meeting did wait on Capt. Pierson
aud Capt. Pierson informed him that he told
the committee be would make no promises.
He must be judged by his past official con-
duct.
Alb Stuckey again taking the aoor said
The negroes have said they would vote for
the white mans candidate. But who is the
white mans candidate? How is this to be
decided unless by a Primary. This very
point should decide the meeting in favor of a
Primary. Let the democrats have the Prlma-
ry and settle upon their candidate for Mayor
and Aldermen