The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-02-25

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was whore the voter was unable +
read. There Is no difference In tn
two laws as to tho preparation of tn
ballot. The eight box law require
instructions, when requested, and b.
saw no advantage of one law over th
other. The people were accustomed T.
the eight-box law. He believed every
honest voter could deposit his ballo
properly under this law. Ho did no
believe any white man had ever bee,
defrauded OF his vote. He believed
tho charge untrue and q calumny OF
the State. Every white man has fell
titled to and should vote. The pres
ent law has repeatedly carried us tt
victory and 1t would bo bad policy tC
depart from 1t now.
Capt. Wilson, of Sumter, simply
wanted to add bis testimony that IL the
people are in earnest for honest cleo
tions, and he believed they were, then
this bill should be passed. He was q
member of the Legislature that passed
the eight-box. He then regarded 1T a
necessity, but he no longer regarded 1t
| a necessity to have an eight, box law.
He merely wanted to advocate honest
and pure elections.
Mr.. Bacot said the eight-box law was
conceived in spirit of Justice and
right. 1t was the bridge that had
carried US over and it does not now lie
with us to abuse it. He could not go
back on what he believed to be an
honest purpose to maintain white
rule. The eight-box law is admirable
in its conception and so with the Aus
tralian system. He was not yet in "a
position to decide upon the merits Of
the two bills.
Mr.. Manning proposed that the reg
istration bill be first taken up, then
Mr.. Townsend's election bill, and then
come back to his bill.
Mr. Tatum moved to kill Mr.. Mau-
nings bill by striking out the enacting
words. MIR. Manning called for the
yeas and nays. The vote resulted
Yeas, rs; nays, II.
Mr.. Townsend offered the following
substitute section for section 8:
"At tho general election for the
year 1896 and all special elections
thereafter held up to tho first day on
January, A. d. 1898, the managers of
election shall require Of every elector
offering to vote at such election, be-
fore allowing him to vote, in addition
te the production of registration
certificate, proof of the payment of
oiA liouOho pSloI0 Sthlo SlcC-
tlon OF any paoll tax theu due and paya-
bic. After the ltrst day of January,
A. D. 1898, they shanI require of any
eloctor Offering to vote att, any election
before allowing him to vote eNin addi-
tion to the production OF registrationa
proof of payment of all I
taxes, including poll tax assessed
against him and collectable during the
previous year. The production of
certificate CIR of the receipt of the
officer authorized to collect such taxes
shall be conclusive proof of the pay
ment thereof" Adopted.
Mr.. Patton proposed as an amend
nent that the result should be posted
immediately after the result was de-
,lared.
Mr.. Thurmond said the published
may lead to contests.
Mr.. Mishoe wanted to know if it
would not require more work.
Mr.. Patton said under the bill q man
has right to seethe count. The pur-
poseis to put as great check as possible
upon tampering with the box from tho
time it leaves the me- nager to the time
1t was officially counted by the com
missioners. There would be no rea-
son to invalidate the box, but only to
make it crime.
The amendment was tabled by a vote
of SO to 3d.
Mr.. Manning proposed as an amend
ment at least one of these commission
ers shall belong to the party polling
the largest vote at the last preceding
general State election, and at least one |
shall belong to the party casting next |
largest vote at such election. The |
Of election shall ap- |
point three managers Of election for |
each polling place at each election |
precinct of the county for which they |
shall respectively be appointed. At |
least one of these managers shall be- |
long to the party polling the largest
vote at the preceding general election,
and at least one shall belong to the |
party polling the next largest vote at
such election.
The discussion on Mr.. Manning's
amendmcnt was postponed in order
that committee reports might be re-
coived.
Argument on the election bill was
resumed OF Mr.. Manning's resolution
providing for bipartisan boards.
Mr.. Watson said that in the country
1t was reflection to suggest dishonest
elections, aud he moved to table the
amendment, and on this the yeas and
nays were demanded. Those voting
for the amendment were: Anderson,
Bacot, Fowler, Hiott, Lotion, Manning,
Mehrtens, A. K. Sanders, Wilson-0.
BY vote of II to 8 the amendment
was tabled.
Mr.. Anderson colored, moved to
amend by providing for four boxes.
Lost.
Mr.. Bacot offered an amendment
that instead Of the polls close at 5
o'clock. The committee had fixed 4
O'Clock; 5 o'clock, he said, was broad
daylight.
Mr.. Watson objected, as the country
managers could not make up their
returns and get home, and these boxes
were in the majority. The amend
mont was rejected.
Mr.. Bacot offered an amendment
providing for the keeping of the boxes
until the roxt election. Agreed to-
Mr.. Magill moved to recommit. Lost.
Mir. Bacot offered an amendment
providing that the boxes be locked
when handed in with all the contents.
Killed.
On the final passage of the bill to a
third reading the yeas and nays were
called. Those voting against the bill
were: Adams, Anderson, Gregory,
Manning, Mellett Miller, Patton,
Sanders, Weston, Wilson--10. In fa-
vor of the bill 80.
THE STATE FAIR WINS.
! The House Reconsiders its Action and Makes