The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-05
IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Not System that Generates "Bosses'
OF the Ward Politics Variety.
From WASHINGTON Times.

from washington 1lmes'
Mr. j. Altheus job nson, a South Caroliniap
resident Of the District, who still retains his
citizenship in the Palmetto State, In speak.
Ing of the political situation In that Common.
wealth, said:
"Much Of the outside comment on the
the Tillman. McLaurin episode, Ia expressed
In nomenclature that belongs rather to the
politics of State where delegates are to be
chosen and manipulated. conventions 10 be
often as not, to be defeated. Such terms as
boss the machine political manipulation.
etc.. are hardly 10 be applied where the peo.
snds as IN south csrona
for office In that State are not made BY con-
ventions or coteries of politicians, but by
the direct voice Of the individual voter.
"Under the primary system OF nomina-
ton which prevails in the State, every office.
from q county coroner TO the Governor OF the
State, is free.for.all. everyone who chooses
being at liberty to enter the race. the only
condition being that the person offering as q
candidate shall pay the entrance fee. varying
from IS to $50, according TO the Office he ell ters
for, and, In addition, pledges himself 10 abide
the result OF the primary A majority OF all
plurality not being sufticient-apu 1t Is not
infrequent for vote 10 be taken three and
even four times before nomination Is made,
the rules Of the primary determining how
many of the 'hindmost' candidates shall be
dropped In each race.
"Under this system OF nominating public
officers, which places the matter directly In
the hands Of the people. without the In nterven.
tion OF bosses or middlemen of any kind, a
sentiment has grown up which gives no
tolerance TO 'koreheads,' or 'bolters.' All can.
didates entering The lists are under pledge 10
abide the verdict given by the voters at the
primary and the man who would violate
that pledge becomes political suicide In
South Carolina.
"a few years ago one Of the candidates for
Governor, falling OF nomination In the 'pri.
mary declined 70 be bound by the vote OF
the primary, and assumed to run IN the
general ielection rs an Independent, simon
pure Democrat. He belonged TO one OF the
most distinguished families in the State. had
many times been honored with public Office,
Including seat upon the Supreme Bench OF
the State, but when he appeared In the role
OF 'bolter,' his native county. containing
over 100 voters, gave him seven votes!
"This method OF nomination is also used In
the selection of United States Senators In
South Carolina. The Legislature Of the State
would not think OF electing man other than
the one whom the people. in their primary
election, had nominated for the office.
Under the system, therefore. which pre-
walls in South Carolina OF selecting public
officers. every voter from the very Inception
Of mans candidacy for public office having
q voice directly affecting the result, there IL
but little opportunity for the successful eXer-
else OF the malign influences which are so
corruptipg to politics In some other places.
oracy, using the word democracy In Its
etym ologicaf sense. as is possible In our repre-.
sentative Government"