The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1914-06-03
CIRCULATION $500.
The New Democratic Rules.

The New Democratic Rules.
The newly elected County Executive
Committee held its first regular meet
ing on Monday, in acceptance with
the provisions of the nsT rules of the
Democratic party adopted by the State
Convention on sday 20 and 81. In
view of the fssct that the new rules
make some sISweeping changes, the en-
tire session of the County Committee
was oc c6upied in a free and open dis
custom of the rules. so that each com-
mieteeman might be thoroughly in
formed, and that he, in turn, might
inform the voters of his club district.
We are of the opinion that there
has been undue condemnation of the
new party rules coming principally
!, from misunderstanding, or inefficient
knowledge thereof. We can see but
one hardship, viz: the required per-
sonal enrollment of all voters, and
this, viewed in the proper light is not
hardship, but at most, an incon-
yenience. It is now required that
every man who wants to vote must
place his own name upon the club
roll, and in case he cannot write, to
make his mark in the presence Of the
enrolling officer. Three men In each
club district have been named to take
charge of this work, whose names will
be printed at an early date. There is
no attempt to disfranchise any white
voter. All Of US agree that every
white man shall have the privilege Of
voting and anything to the contrary is
the merest political rot. The one ef-
fort is to obtain an accurate, genuine
club rou-something that we have not
had hereto fore. as every one knows.
And how any good dem ocrat can OBJ
iecs 10 this is more than We can see..
We are persuaded to believe that
more mature thought will clear the
whole situation. and our people gen.
ersslY will see the wisdom OF this new
enrolment. Any way, it's the law OF
the party. and We shall have to abide
by it; 90 let's do 30 liks men. Is's-s
simple thing: juss write your own
aame ON the roll OF make your mark.
Below we giYe few points which.
Win be of interest: -, -, -. -
The qualifications for membership
in auy,cIub Of the party in this sssts,
and Tor voting ct a primary shall be as
follows, namely: The applicant shall
be 81 years Of age or shall become so
before the succeeding general election,
and be white democrat. He shall be
. citizen Of the United States and of
this State. No person shall belong to
any club or vote in any primary uu-
less he has resided in the State two
years and in the county six months
prior to the succeeding general cleo
tion and in the club district sixty days
prior to the 6rst primary following his
offer to enroll. There is q special pro-
vision FOR negno voters which the en-
rollment committee will know OF and
handle.
Another important change is that
every voter must enroll at the pre-
cinct nearest his place OF residence
calculated by the nearest practical
route. This should be noted we'll for
it will necessitate many changes.
Heretofore one could vote any where
his name was on roll whether at his
neaiesv precinct or not. This has been
changed and you must enroll as above.
Do not forget this.
There is an impression in some Sec
tons that one must have a registra-
tion certificate in order to vote in the
primary. This is an error. All you
need to do is to put your name on the
club roll with your own hand. Just
remember this.
Ehe books of enrolment will open
on or before the second Tuesday in
S----~, So g., ----~ Wa. vtvsv va VIC
last Tuesday in July.
Let US urge again and again the
very great Importance of this new on
rollment. Between now and the last
Tuesday in July rea-1y every voter in
the county will be at some time near
his voting place, 80 just make it a
point to place your name on the roll.
Let's lay aside so much talk and
busy ourselves with our plain duty as
good democrats, The Law of the State
Convention 10 the law of South Caro-
lima democracy. Let US respond like
men.
The Dispatch is publishing the names