Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-05-22
PRIMARY RULES REVISED.
State Convention Makes Wholesale
CHANCES as to Voting Qualifications.


Hereafter before a man can vote in
a Democratic primary he must have
lived in the state two years, In the
county six months and in his club
district sixty days. These are condi-
tions prerequisite to his getting his
name on a club roll, and even with
that he must apply to his club secre-
tary in person, for enrolment.
This in brief Is the result Of the
proceedings of the state Democratic
convention, which met in Columbia,
on Wednesday at noon and which ad-
journed at about $50 Thursday after
noon, after the platform committee
had been out all night and after very
considerable debate and difference OF
opinion as to what to do and how to
do it.
The convention was called to order
by John Gary Evans, state chairman
and James A. Hoyt Of Columbia, was
elected temporary as we'll as perma-
nent chairman.
The committee on credentials con-
sisted of one member from each coun-
ty except Charleston and Georgetown
both Of which had contests for settle
ment
The Georgetown Democrats had
Iion should have representation, and
had finally settled it among them
selves on basis Of allowing seats to
the full delegations Of both sides, with
the understanding that each delegate
should have half vote, and the chair
decided to appoint two members OF
the delegation on the committee.
From Charleston there was the
same old Grace and Barnwell delega-
tions, both claiming to represent ma
jorities, and as was the case two
years ago the Grace delegation was
turned down and the Barnwell dele
cation was seated.
The principal fight in the commit
tee and on the floor over the rules was
in connection with length of residence,
and requiring voters to go to the club
secretaries in person. The minority
wanted to reduce the time Of resi-
dence, Mr. r. A. Cooper calling atten-
ton to the fact that the requirement
Of two years residence would dis
franchise many Methodist preachers.
Senator Clifton fought for the right
Of the voter to send his name to the
secretary of his club with a written
request that he be enrolled; but was
turned down. There was also fight
over the requirement that the pros
pective voter sign the club roll, the
minority holding that this was wrong;
but the majority carried its point as
in other matters.
The following summary Of the rules
as finally agreed upon, is from the
Columbia State of this morning:
Qualifications for club membership
and for voting in primary elections
are: Applicant to be 21 years Of age,
a White Democrat, a citizen Of the
United States and of the state, must
have resided in the state two years,
in the county six months and in the
club district sixty days. If a negro,
applicant must have voted for Hamp-
ton in 1875.
Applicants for enrolment in DEM
ocratic club shall present themselves
in person before the secretary and
sign the roll or make their mark, II
they are unable to write, giving their
dress, or their street number where
district where they reside. The coun-
ty committees shall furnish suitable
and uniform books OF enrolment to
the secretaries, such books to be pro-
Yided by the state committee.
The club rolls shall be closed on the
second Tuesday Of each election year.
Secretaries Of clubs shall file the rolls,
properly certified, with copies, with
the clerks Of courts of the various
counties, where they shall be open for
inspection. County committees shall
purge the rolls. giving due notice by
mail to all citizens the legality of
whose enrolment Is questioned.
Special provisions are made for
Charleston, both as to enrolment in
club districts and as to voting.
State committees shall arrange for
two separate campaign meetings in
each county, one to be addressed by
candidates for state offices and the
other by candidates for United States
senator.
Chairmen of county committees in
the same congressional districts and
judicial circuits shall arrange for sep
arate meetings for candidates for con-
gress and solicitor.
Polls are to remain open on elec-
tion day from 8 a. m. to p. m. ex-
cept in Charleston, where they shall
remain open from a. m, to p. m.
All existing club rolls are declared
null and void. as a special provision
for 1914. This will require a new
enrolment Of all Democrats for the
1914 primary on the last Tuesday in
August.