Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-27

THERE is a good deal of interest in
the outcroppings Of independentism in
Lexington and Richland counties, not
so much because of partizanship with
the independent candidates as because
of what seems to be a growing impa-
tience with the primary system, as now
conducted. The first notable break
away from the result of a primary was
in Greenville a few years ago. 1t had
been clearly shown that the county su-
pervisor was dishonest and incompe-
tent; but still that official and his
friends who had control of the party
machinery managed to manipulate so
as to secure his denomination. Party
officials and leaders stand on regular
ity" before any other consideration.
They have no respect for "after discov-
cred" evidence. In the Greenville case
therefore, not only the county party
officials; but the state chairman urged
the support of the regular nominee.
In the general election, however, the
regular was turned down." and how
ever shocking it may have been to the
party officials, it will have to be con-
fessed that it was anything but unsat-
isfactory to most of the voters of the
state. There are in South Carolina,
to her credit be it said, thousands OF
good men who cannot, under any cir
cumstances, be compelled to cast their
ballots for a man that they know to be
absolutely unworthy. If it were other
wise, there would be nothing to keep
the state off the road to perdition. In
the Lexington case, we can see some
justification for independence; but not
a great deal. 1t is true that the law
of the party requires majority vote
to nominate, and it is true also that
after the death of the successful nomi-
nee, there was no good reason why the
next highest man should be allowed to
step into his shoes. Just exactly what
the facts are, we do not know; but as
we take it, the circumstance that this
man ran second long way behind the
first, and lacking many votes of ma
iority, does not entitle him to the NOM
ination. 1t can hardly be claimed that
the decision of the county executive
committee was justifable on the ground
Of expediency, for there was plenty Of
time in which to order another primary
in which the people and all who de-
sired to be candidates could have had
a fair show. 1t seems a pity that this
primary was not ordered. The Rich
land case is different. Mr.. Owens
may or may not have had an honest
majority. There seems to be no doubt
of the fact that irregularities were
practiced in his interest to say the
least Of it. If Mr. Douglas voted in the
primary, we do not see how he can
Justify himself in running as an inde-
pendent. But after all is said that can
be said, the whole question resolves 1t
self down to this. If the primary sys-
tenn is to last, it has got to be reformed
and kept clean. So long as 1t seems to
fairly and accurately register the will
of the white majority, the people OF
South Carolina are content to continue
it's use; but no longer. In our opinion
the primary furnishes the best and
most satisfactory means that has ever
been devised for arriving at the true
voice Of the people, and if our legis-
lators would preserve it, they must
spare no labor or pains in taking such
steps as are calculated to keep 1t alb
p,,re