The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-31
An Honest Primary

(The Item will publish a few ar
ticles under the above caption writ
ten by a member OF the legislature.
Thcy are strictly non-partisan and
point out the changes necessary to
eliminate fraud without taking away
from any South Carolina Democrat.
The articles are in no way inspired by
any candidate for office and none
Know of their preparation. They are
designed solely to assist the mass of
Democratic primary voters to clean
house. Bills to this end will be act
ell on in the next legislature and our
readers are of course Interested in
the subject at this particular time.)
Sailing StOrmier Seas.
RAPIDLY growing cities and towns
and the activities Of candidates with
corruption fund, are the two prin-
cipal causes OF our primary election
troubles. In an earlier day when
election managers knew each voter as
he came to the ballot box, and when
bribery was resented, it was easy to
detect tho dishonest voter and the
temptation to vote dishonesty was not
so strong.
The problem now is to change the
law 50 as to carry out the same pri-
mary idea under new conditions. 1t
Is the same old ship but sailing storm
Ter seas, and needing a stouter kell
and tighter calking.
When you come down to it the ne
cessary changes are simple and few,
but they are as necessary as the keel
Is to a ship.
Some say the constitution and rules
of the party are all right. and 1t is
in the execution Of them that the
fault lies.
Both need reform. But execution is
broken reed unless it Is supported
by sound laws.
When Facuonai Storms Rage.
The very foundation stone OF our
State Democratic organization rests
on sand. As long as all is quiet no
harm is done. But as soon as the
storms and torrents Of factionalism
and Of bribery and greed begin to beat
upon the foundation. it crumbles.
The club meetings held in April are
the foundation stones. They rest on
the party constitutions and rules.
These are as sand because they do
not safeguard the membership rolls
u the clubs.
Any one, without regard to age,
nationality. or residence can vote in a
club meeting. In fact, there is moth
ing I'm them to prevent negroes from
taking part. II they declare themselves
to lie Democrats. You can vote in
these meetings even II you are not
qualified to vote in the primary.
Designing men can pack club rolls.
and thereby control club meetings,
county conventions and the State con-
vcntion. county executive committees
and the State executive committee,
and name the managers at the bal
lot box.
Here arc two instances. the first oc-
CURED In one Of the largest voting
counties in the State. and the second
In one OF the smallest.
Rushing Club Meeting.
The chairman, one of the best
known and highly esteemed citizens
OF South Carolina and an able lawyer,
was calling his club meeting to order.
Ii was the night OF the regular BIZ
ennial reorganization. Partisanship
was running high, but his particular
club had always been 50 largely Il
unit that 1t was presumed that there
would be no contest i'm the meeting
But the opposition was lighting for
every advantage no matter how des-
porate the chance OF success A
crowd of men entered the room claim
[ ttaer ts.I. Il.