The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-09-11
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STATE PRESS COMMENT.
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The Executive Committees Task,

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The Executive Committees Task.
1t is not matter of surprise that
the Democratic State executive com
mittee should have determined to probe
with the utmost thoroughness the
charges of Irregularities and fraud
which have been brought against the
recent primary election, but it is
matter for qualification. Those who are
declaring the results of the first pri-
mary and proceeding with the sec
ond as has always been the case in
the past fail to see the situation in
it's broader aspects. The problem is
not alone as to who shall be South
Carolina's next governor. There is a
more serious question even than that
before the people of the state. 1t has
been charged, and they are entitled to
know the truth, that they now have
no adequate means of recording their
will on political questions and of hav-
ing 1t duly put into effect. If this be
true, and we believe that it is true, it
is OF the very greatest Importance
that the facts tending to establish it's
truth shall be brought out clearly and
If possible indisputably and that the
task OF devising ways and means to
remedy such state of affairs shall
Immediately be taken in hand.
The work upon which the State ex-
ecutive committee is embarked is a
larger work than that of establishing
whether or not sufficient Irregularities
and fraud to upset the results of the
primary of August 9th can be proved.
They have undertaken to ascertain
where and how and to what extent ir-
regularities and fraud occurred or are
indicated to the end that the people
may be apprised in some degree at
election system as at present devised.
There can be no question that the sub
| ject is one as to which the public is
sadly in need of education, and espe-
cially that portion of the public whose
members are pleased to class them
selves as among the best citizens"
1t is a subject too, of vital interest
not alone to those counties in which
it is alleged that the grossest mani
festations of improper practices were
observed, but of interest to all the
people of the entire state. There may
be communities where political corrup-
tion has NO place, we do not say there
are not, but no community so happily
situated can afford to point the fin
ger Of scorn at some less fortunate
neighbor, a larger element of whose
citizenship may be just as Jealous for
good government but impotent because
of political conditions which, lacking
assistance from the state as a whole
they are helpless to overcome.
The imperative business of the State
executive COMMITTEES today therefore
is that of inquiring comprehensivcly
into the truth of the indictment which
has been lodged not only against the
primary election of August 27, but
against the primary system itself as IL
now exists in South Carolina. No nom
mating plan in which large percent
age of the people have lost confidence
can possibly prove satisfactory in it's
workings. 1t is for the executive COM
mittee to take the lead in indicating to
| the people the abuses to which the
present system has become subject and
the manner in which they can be re-
lieved.-News and Courier.