The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-11

ment of the United States Constltu-
ton provides that there shall be no
discrimination on account of race or
color. If we are to disfranchise no
white man, then the only other al;er-
native is to enfranchise every woman
who pays tax on $500 worth Of
property. But it would be wiser
and safer and better every way to
reduce instead of increasing them.
But good many Reform leaders say
we will disfranchise no white man.
This being a promise they must
stand by, suppose, the only alter
native is to enlarge the electorate by
enfranchising the women. The white
women now own two-thirds of the
property l think it would be better
under these circumstances to let
them own the rest; for, while am
NO female suffragist, woman's suf-
frage is coming in the future. This
is not my preference, but if we can't
get them to disfrachise few men,
then I'm in for enfranchising women.
don't believe that 10000 negro
women in the State could ever com.
mand $500 worth Of property. On
the other hand / believe that $4,000
white women can do so, and any
white man can easily make over
5000 worth of property in his wife's
name, he having vote already.
Again it will be stimu mt for white
men TO strive + 81 amount of
property to make g. to his wife.
Women always exercise conserva-
tive influence, and they have wisely
nsed the ballot wherever it has been
given them, and have not abused
it. They vote in England and
in half the States for such officials
as school trustees, etc ! don't look
upon female suffrage with such
terrible horror l venture the state
ment, however, that by plain pro-
perty qualification of the manhood
suffrage, such as outlined, nineteen
twentieths, certainly nine.tenths of
the negroes will be honestly dis
qualified, and it won't disqualify any
great number of white men. If there
are white men who are not willing to
work and secure the qualification,
God help all such hope the con-
vention will rise to the level of homes.
ty and pass such a qualification
Away with an educational qualltlca-
ton it isn't worth a snap of my
finger :"
When asked about the rumor cur
rent THAI an attempt would be made
to insert clause providing that
henceforth no individual should sell
LIQUOR in South Carolina. Mr.. Tillmsn
said "The dispensary was not dis.
cussed on the stump. If they put
anything about not selling liquor in
the Constitution, then say they will
practice fraud on the people. They
can put it there. but it won't stand
any longer than it has done when
inserted in other State Constitutions,
where it was put in by fanatics
Such a provision would soon learn
our people to be hypocrites and
smugg!ers, and drive all the business
to other States, giving the people
trouble about getting their liquor,
for they will have it anyhow, despite
all the constables they can employ Z"
Speaking further about the suffrage
matter, Mr.. Tillman said 81 think
it's time we we're done with practic-
ing fraud and leaving this important
matter to officers of election. We
ought to do like they do in New
England, have the township govern
ment boards vino will elect mana
gers of election, who will make cut
a real registration liet of all the quail,
fed voters. Our system of county
government was ever failure, and
the Improvement is no improve
ment Let's away with it and have
the township form Of government
Tile State