Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-29

10 the HOOr Oh tHe HOuSt, nave Nv
/ rights under its rules to address tina
{ body. This you know as well as do
I'll I love my state, Its honor and 1t,
> good name; and am not willing tt
bring either its honor or Its goot
t name into question upon hearsay tes-
timony or belief; nor am willing tc
, confess the incapacity of the people
Of South Carolina-keeping In mind
their proud history-to rectify any
wrongs that may exist among them OF
to govern themselves in accordance
with the best tradition Of civilized
government. For me to confess such
a thought would be an admission OF
my disbelief in the capacity Of my
state, with its splendid history and its
great accomplishments in the past, to
govern itself. I do not believe that
you believe South Carolina Is incap-
able of self government; and IL you
thought so, am sure you would be
ashamed to confess It.
While I am not in accord with the
dominant political factors in. South
Carolina at this time, and while there
is much to criticize in the conduct Of
the affairs Of the state, do not agree
with you that ''the public Is already
scandalized at South Carolina"
But even IL your statements were
true, have made up my mind, after
conferences with those who love the
state as much as do you or I, that the
state itself with the facts before 1t
should not only be given the chance
through its legislature and the Demo-
cratic state convention to handle the
situation in the interest Of pure cleo
tions, but am equally persuaded that
IL given the opportunity. she will see
to 1t that her elections are clean and
that the Democratic party, in Its con-
vention having had the opportunity to
cleanse its own stable, will cleanse 1t.
I have not changed my opinion as
expressed to you in my letter Of May
18th; II would rather you fall in and
help me, as you, can most effectively.
to reform state politics through the
state convention next time 1t meets,
by changing the rules of the party and
fortifying all along the line against
fraud and corruption; and then go to
work when the legislature meets again
to see that the statutes are changed
in regard to primary elections so as
to preserve the purity of the ballot
among white men,"
You will recall that in q recent in
terview urged upon Governor Blease
to use his powerful influence with the
legislature for the enactment Of such
legislation as would protect the purity
Of the white mans ballot in the pri-
mary and the general elections. do
not know what Governor Blease Is go
ing to do, and no one else knows; nor
can say what the legislature will do.
But as last resort, II the Legislature
fails US, we can go to the Democratic
party and by agitation and making a
few speeches, I know that the people
will rise in their wrath and compel a
reform Of the party constitution, be-
cause there Is nothing more certain in |
politics than this: We have had the |
last primary in the state unless the |
people become satisfied that they can
vote at the primary and have their |
votes honestly counted.
This has been the course which has
onnoolad en- ,,,o oil tho xut,ila oinoa Won
first brought this Whaley matter to
my attention; and the more consider |
the consequences Of your suggestion |
for an immediate congressional inves-
tigation, the more convinced my judg-
ment becomes that my first opinion is
the proper and only one, IL we are to
have any regard for the good name Of
the state and for the future Of our
party.
I do not question at this time the
motive which prompts you to insist
upon the washing of the dirty linen
Of South Carolina" here in the capital
of the nation. It has too much of the
appearance of malignancy and per-
sonal spite and desire for revenge on
your part, and you cannot escape that
verdict throughout the state IL you
press 1t. But your cooperation with
me to have the Democratic party Of
South Carolina and the legislature Of
South Carolina reform the situation In
the state can be attributed to no other
fhaf Of ha iyh M FL
ism.
If you will permit me to do so,
will be glad to submit copies Of the
affidavit left with Congressman john
son, and such other affidavits as you
may submit to the chairman Of the
state Democratic committee, the
speaker Of the house of representatives,
and the president of the state senate,
that both the head Of the Democratic
party and the heads Of the state gov
in the legislature shall be ad-
vised Of the situation in the First con-
gressional district as you see 1t. II this
moral sensibilities Of the people of
South Carolina can be so aroused In
The meantime as to force both the leg
stature and the Democratic party to {
'eform the system OF primary voting in
such a manner as to make corruption
absolutely impossible. and in this kind {
If an effort you may depend upon me
% the fullest
You overlook the responsibility which !
your wishes impose on me. You are
asking me to pursue O course which
you admit would cause the people Of
South Carolina to hang their heads In /
shame, and asking me to do so without {
giving to the people Of the state :
through Its legislature or its dominant
political party Of which you and are
members, the chance either to confess
heir inability to deal with the situa- =
ion or their desire that I should be I
made the vehicle by which the state 7
nay be brought into shameful public
ty. In order perhaps, as many think.
hat you may be given the opportunity c