Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-09-29
Government by Citizens.

Government by Citizens.
There is serious need for reform In
the matter of the franchise system OF
South Carolina. and 1t is just as well
to look the matter squarely In the face
without any more quibbling.
The legal machinery provided for the
exercise of the franchise In this state
is so perfect that there is little room
for improvements but in most cases
this legal machinery counts for little.
While theoretically we are supposed
to have a franchise system that care
fully restricts the right Of government
to taxpaying citizens, as a matter or
actual fact, the state is In large meas
ure at the mercy of people who not
only have but little interest in its well
fare; but who are incompetent to gov
ern.
AS matters now stand, the state Is
governed almost entirely through the
so called party primaries. and these
primaries are, in many instances, DOM
mated by people who can hardly be
said to even have fixed places OF resi-
dence.
The laws with reference to registra-
ton and voting are all right. They are
broad enough and liberal enough to
ensure the right of franchise to all
who are entitled to 1t. At the same
time they provide safeguards that are
very we'll calculated to eliminate all
such people as cannot reasonably claim
the right to more than very limited
voice in the government.
The rules Of the so-called party pri-
mary are so framed as to give the
greatest freedom in voting and under
these rules all kinds of frauds are easi-
~ possible There Is little to prevent
citizens of other states from partici-
pating in our elections If they see
proper to use a little fraud, and coloni-
cation Of voters can be practiced with
but little danger Of detection.
On the very face Of the proposition
it Is clear that no man who is not
qualified to vote in a general election
should be allowed to vote In pri-
mary No man who is unable to assist
In an election should have a say so In
a nomination, and the very first prin-
ciples Of government seem to de-
mand that those who bear the real bur-
dens and responsibilities of citizenship
should be as safe as possible from the
yoke Of those who shirk such burdens
and responsibilities.
We would not be understood as even
suggesting the slightest restriction
around any white citizen who has
fixed place of abode and bears his prop
er share of the burdens and RESPONSE
bilities Of citizenship; but we do insist
that no man should have a right to
a voice in the affairs Of any county un-
til he has been a resident of the state
for at least two years. and until he has
lived in the county long enough to give
promise of an intended permanent res
idence.
While common sense demands such
a change in the party rules as Is indi-
Gated, to secure this change will be
difficult In some Of the counties the
party is In control of men who would
not dare risk their fortunes with the
solid substantial element of citizen
ship that would be included in the
list of registered voters, and these peo-
pie will continue to hold out for a sys-
tenn that provides for as many fioaters
and irresponsibles as possible.
The matter Of changing the rules Of
the party so as to confine participation
in The primaries to those who are quail
flied to vote in general elections has
been brought up in several state con-
ventions; but it has always been voted
down This is because the solid sub
stantial element-the element that Is
either registered or liable to registra-
ton has not given the subject proper
attention. The time, however, for
such a reform is ripe. and it should
be commenced without delay.