The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-05-14
A GOOD REFORM.

A GOOD REFORM.
We note an interview given
out by Hon. George R. Rembert
of Columbia who is a prospec-
tive candidate for governor, in
which he says he will introduce
bill in the next legislature to
purify the elections in this State.
We certainly hope be has dis
covered a means to accomplish
the purpose, his bill will be
formulated on the lines of the
laws in States Of Missouri, Iowa,
and Wisconsin known as the
Corrupt Practice Acts" Just at
at this time, when the very air
is charged with the Cry Of
fraud in our elections it is we'll
for the lawmaklng powers to
give this subject thoughtful con
sideration, and if there can be
any plan perfected which will
prevent the use of money or
other improper influences in the
primary elections a good service
will be rendered. The trouble is,
that the enactment of the laws
is easy enough, but to have them
properly enforced is another
matter. The present laws upon
our statute books are sufficient
if enforced to prevent frauds,
bribery.and debauchery. but what
is aVerybody's business is no
body's business with the result
tbe laws looking TO protect the
primaries are practically a dead
letter.
1t is fast getting to the stage
where a man of moderate means
cannot afford to offer for a public
position which has a good salary
attached, he has not the means
Of securing the aid necessary to
bring out the vote IN his behalf,
especially if his opponent las.
We will not say that all of the
money spent in elections is used
corruptly, in fact, we know it is
not. 1t frequently happens that
an aspirant for Office is compel.
; ed to secure the services of sup
porters whom be must pay for
their time and necessary expeu-
ses, such as board, horse and au
tomobile hire in order to have
help to get the voters to turn out
to vote for him, in cases like this
there is no money used to cor
rupt the voter, it is legitimate
expense, but even this should be
stopped so there can be no ex.
cuse for the use of money cor
ruptly.
Under the system in this State
the primary is really the election,
hence it is important to amend
the rules of the Democratic par
ty so that there will be no more
cry of fraud; to require the reg
istration certificates in the pri'
mary will not accomplish the re.
form, it can only put additional
burdens upon the electorate, and
cause many to lose interest in
the elections. Our idea is to re
euire all voters to be confined tc
the townships or wards in which
they reside, and then institute
some system like the Australian
ballot, this we think will have a
beneficial effect, it will prevent
repeating, and it will also make
the ballot secret as it should be.
One.of the troubles in this State
and which has much to do with
the questionable means resorted
to in our elections, is that there
is too much Of this Logging about
the polls, if every voter was re.
quired to call for a ballot from
the managers, and not allowed to
deposit a ballot secured from
some one else it would lessen the
evil of improperly influencing,
and the paying for votes would
be eliminated entirely. If Mr..
Rembert or some other member
of the legislature will formulate
an amendment to the rules of the
party along these lines. and then
have them reinforced with strong
laws by the Legislature good will
result.