The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-01-18
PRIMARY REFORM


articles under the above caption writ
ten by member OF the Legislature.
They are strictly bipartisan and
point out the necessary changes in
the system 10 eliminate fraud without
taking away the ballot from any
South Carolina democrat. The 60:
cles are In no way inspired by any
candidate for office and none know
OF their preparation. They are de-
signed solely TO assist the mass OF
Democratic primary voters 10 clean
house. Bills TO this end will be acted
on In the next Legislature and our
readers are Of course interested in the
subject at this particular time.
DC Your Own Thinking.
Few are bound TO oppose all primary
reforms. Those against change
cloak their purposes. They do not
defend present conditions, that is a
hopeless task. They stand back and
object TO each change suggested. say
ing it will take the ballot away from
the poor man, or the man who can
not write. These objectors give no
reasons from their charges, nor do
they ofefr other measures. Men are
expected TO follow them blindly.
Every man should do his own
The troubles are before us, and
known to all men who care to look.
The re1Didies proposed are easy toI
understand.
The Remedies.
Permit the voter to enroll en- only
one club list, and only in the precincti
where he lives or works. II
Record the poll lists at the court
house before and after voting.
Identify the voter Mt the ballot box.
Where important requirements are
Violated hold another election. II
These safeguards are those advocat-
Cd by experienced party workers
from all sections of the State they
have, been gathered from discussions
on many occasions during many
years. Leaders in the Legislature who
,, oppose extreme measures came to al
pretty general agreement at the last
session TO support a bill embodying
these points. Let US examine them,
taking the last one first.
The Penalty.
Penalties are seldom enforced.
Why? Because they seek to punish,
not TO remedy-not directly.
The law says the manager who!
aS5e55 ae5 TTott carr; S@. the ...ias shai be
| date doesn't care to prosecute him,
the public is not interested enough
/, TO. Neither are out for revenue, nor
| aeeking the unpleasant task OF pre-
E;Ienting future fraud by present pun
ishment "t - @
The candidates are interested in the
| ipipledtateN outcome though. They ana
| their fffendss Win go7fo aelot Of trou-
| bla 70 ibcate fraud lf Il will DO them
| any good Give them qhe9right ito o
new eleSti6nG whenever the law As, yio-
Listed In the imp tAht patticnlars and
they will. watch for irregularities like
| hawks, TheG violations OF ruies viii
/. .finfRsdiateiy dstHnt their ;pufpoaesinad
heaonie GTiefess.
0Elna stS6 fffS&S elections would bs
held 6nly pWhekf Ina pti ixant, specified
! iinfract Ions ac6g che law soould be
'ahown nog for Il vial irregularities b.
This w0aid thSeesitiate 'maKlngFesVn
Istep IA enr6s sifhens and voting plain
and open and record where all men
may eShiniiie what has been done. 3
Today eyefytting Is so obscure thai
ieyon who're fraud is proved. and
more believed, It Is about impossiI
! lisible 10 unset on election would be
q weapon dreaded more than any
| punisIuiadt of tiaIiasefs st Esssaa l..
the law books.
Protecting the Lists.
Z & zssosats necessary st snssll
kind OF an election to, haveza corractl
list of those entitled &c sose.
The club renains
The club rolls should be made upl
some weeks before the election and
sent 70 the county clerk OF ~
Shortly before the election the Clerl;
should send a copy OF each list to tae
nanagers OF each club. After, tho
election the county executive < com1l
mites should send the rolls back toll