The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-08-07
Two Plain Questions.
Tests That Should be Applied to
Candidates to the Convention.

GreenVlle News
The primary election held the ether
day was not Democratic primary 1t
was called without the authority of
party law, it was thrown open to al!
white voters regardless Of party. Its
results cannot bind any Democrat.
1t was not white mans primary
because two-thirds of the white men
Of the State, of both factions. did not
vote iu it or have anything to Go with
it. In Greenville county if 200 Con-
servatives voted 1000 Reformers did
not vote. A ticket Of delegates com-
posed Of good, strong, safe men repre-
senting all parts of the county, all the
Interests in it and the people, could
beat the ticket nominated here Tuesday
if only Reformers we're allowed to vote
and not Conservative or Republican
went to the polls at the general cleo
tioD. Fifteen hundred Reformers who
voted may feel bound TO support the
present ticket. Sixteen hundred of
them who did lot vote are free to choose
for themselves. We suppose it is the
same way in other counties
The so-called primary does not bind
white men or Democrats and was oct a.
vote of the people. 1t was trick.
trap, Of the machinery with which
few politicians hope to make this State
their own personal property to be left
and handed down TO their political heirs
as the throne, crown, aDd sceptre of
Russia are.
Itis now time for the people to make
last effort to escape. The machine
which was to make the new Constitu-
tion has worked we'll so far. The next
movement of it will be the establish.
ment of caucus in the convention by
which Fifty men, controlled by half
dozen, will rule the entire body AID
govern ali its action. We have all
seen that thing done before iu the
Legislatures. We have seen honest, we'll
meaning, trued-aearted uen who iu-
tended to be independent, coaxed or
driven into caucus and there tied aud
gagged and forced by the plea Of party
law and personal honor to yield their
opinions aud 60 against their conscien-
ces
The people may yet beat the machine
and defeat the purposes Of the Ring
Let every man who has been nom
mated be asked these two questions:
will you refuse to 60 into or be
bound by any caucus Of any factior or
party p
will you vote your confidence 10
the people of South Carolina by
promising to do all you can to have the
new Constitution submitted to the peo-
Pile?
When man answers 40" to beth
of these let some man wbo will answer
'yes" be put up against him and voted
for in the general election.
Those are two issues to make.
They are issues 90 which Retormera.
and Conservatives can vote aUd work:
together.
If those two questions are pressed
nd if care is taken that nobody shall
ago to the convention without a hard
fight who fails to answer them, the peo-
pie will beat the bosses and we will have
free convention and a Constitution
built ip daylight by free men, 6t for a.
free people.
The questions should be asked, she
issues should be made clearly and sharp
ly everywhere
Caucus rule or 20 caucus -
Shall the people be allowed to vote
90 their own Constitution, to give their
Judgment on the laws made to rule
them ?"
These are the Issues to vote on ie-
gardless of factions and primaries aud
parties. 90 these issues the people
should be summoned to decide.