The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-23
DELEGATES TO TIE CONVENTION

Mr.. Mea-es Proposes Two Plans for Select
ing Them Whereby the Factions May be
Equa ly Represented.
Mr. Editor: have waited up to this
time liz vain for q wiser man to come
forward and frankly state in our
county paper what he candidlT thinks
is the falrest and most feasible plan for
the white people Of Fairfield to adopt
to arrive at some conclusion that will
be generally acceptable as to what this
county may do in regard to its repre-
seutation in the coming constitutional
convention, provided there is really
any desire on the part Of the majority
Of either faction to settle this matter
otherwise than atthe Stale election in
August, with the inevitable appeal
that this means to the negro vote as
the balance of power. But there is,
apparently, so little desire among the
people to agree upon the representa-
ton that Fairfield is entitled TO. or
their respective leaders must be
maneuvreing meanwhile for position
and, 50, are fearful Of committing
themselves to sny proposition def
nitely, that although the press in the
State q. large is teeming with susges-
,ions bearing upon this point, Fairfield
county seems totally apathetic upon
the subject.
If re are to agree at ell, however,
time is pressing to come to some ar
raagement; and in default Of an ex-
preston from any better source, as l
say, will state some conclusions |
have reached that may tend to clear
the murky political atmosphere.
What I have to say, let i, b. dis
,inc;ly understood, has reference TO
this ceu.ty only with the practical
conditions existing here alone, as 1t is
our duty to sweep our own hearth
stones clean first, and look af:er the
affairs in other counties where the
situation is quite dissimiIsr only after
our local troubles are properly RENE
died.
Let US, then, define the situation as
it is with us, as that will aid US to
arrive at CORE It conclusions.
First. We have two factions Of white
people each thoroughly organize |
with q county chairman aid local
clubs.
Second. The sc,ual numerical supe
riori.y Of either faction is so slight
over the other that practically we
may consider the division as exactly
even SO far as the white voters are
concerned. (This premise is imper-
tant to bear in mind, because if con-
ceded the conclusion reached hereafter
based upon it is obliged to be con-
vincing.)
Third. The animosity existing is
likely to prevent co-operatien between
the two factions in a regular white
primary, necessitating as it would a
surrender of at least one of the county
organizations, or, at any rate, tenn
porarv abandonment of both to effect
an agreement outside the party lines
of both State organizations.
So much for the facts as they really
stand in the county.
Now, let US consider as to what can
best be done toward An agreement
upon the county representation with
these facts in view.
First. If the white voters are essen
TALLY equally divided into two factions
it follows that not only does fairness
permit il but an observance of the
purest principles of democracy de-
mands that the representation
should correspond accordingly.
Hence, the democratic principle that
majorities mast govern and minarities
must submit without representation,
however acceptable as general rule,
cannot apply to our present case, if
we allow that there is no real majority
or real minority but that both factions
are equal numerically. 1t comes plain,
then, and with irresistible force that
democracy and spirit Of fairness both
demand that the county representation
be equally divided between the two
factions. We have had in previous
trials Of strength at the polls sufficient
evidence that this division exits p:ac-
,icxlly as stated, and no one supposes
that gu the question before the State
this year the lines will be differently
drawn.
Second. Should equal representation
be effected, it follows from the nature
ef the arrangement which Is that either
faction in this county shall have the
same voice az the other in The consti-
tutional convention, that common
platform or pledge to carry sut or
support a particular line of policy or
Sc; of principles in this convention On
the part of all the representations is
nncalled for, not to he expected, and,
as matter of fact, impossible to pro-
vide for, and unworthy sny man ht to
ac- IS a delegate TO submit 10, or,
he becomes merely a dispha-
nous dummy and in no true sense a
representative of ANYTHING, only an
I say this because the
wing, il they are true to
will not support in the
framing of the new constitution prin-
:iples that will be advocated by the
faction if they are not now
diabolically bamboozled.
Any prearranged plan which will OH
.iate divisions on the lines that have
.aused these divisions will fai! at the
isst moment, or we would have done