Evening star., 1948-07-17
South Carolina Opens
Primary 10 Negroes
Under Court Order
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

COLUMBIA, S. c., July IL
Membership in the Democratic Party
was open to all persons. regardless
of race or religion, in South Caro-
lima today.
Federal Judge J. Waties Waring
issued an order at Charleston yes
terday that eutlawed the State
partys double-standard primary
voting rules for whites and Negroes.
Greenville, Pickens, Laurens and
Richland County party officials were
not named in the order. Their
county committees had enrolled
Negroes to comply with a previous
order from Judge Waring opening
primary participation to qualified
Negro electors"
This overturned State rules limit
ing party membership to white
Democrats but allowing Negroes to
vote In the primary if qualified for
the general election.
Books Open Until July 81.
The order opened enrolment
books in the AZ counties until July
81.
Judge Waring set enrolment
hours for 10 am. to l pm. and 3
pm. to 6 pm. "at county court
houses or some public convenient
and accessible place in or near the
county seat"
Chairman w. P. Baskin of the
State Democratic Executive COM
mittee, one of 81 State and county
party officials named defendants in
an injunction suit brought by q
Beaufort County Negro, said the Or
der would be carried out fully"
V Judge Warnings writted order, ex-
pected to be ready Monday, will be
served on county party officials by
United States marshals.
Will Seek to Enroll 100000.
State President James M. Hinton
of the National Association for Ad-
vancement of Colored People an
that sit is our desire to en-
roll at least 100000 (Negroes) for the
coming primary"
He urged Negroes to Immediately
present themselves for enrolment,
being extremely careful not to
create any embarrassments but to
report all denials to me-
Judge Waring told the 81 defend
ants, all State and county party lead
ers, in granting the injunction. that
awaits any party off,
cial who fails to comply fully with
the spirit" as well as the letter of
the decision.
Language Is Vigorous.
MY order will grant the prayer
for a preliminary injunction" the
Judge said. "It will bar racial dis
. provide that the
books be opened to all parties re-
gardless of race or religion ''' Will
fix a reasonable time for the books
TO be opened.
THE time has come when racial
discrimination in political affairs
must stop.
Let me tell you that any dis
obedience to the letter and spirit of
this ruling will result in contempt
proceedings The parties RESPONSE
bile for any violation will be i'm
prisoned.
"It's a disgrace and a shame" he
said, when you must come into
court and ask judge to tell you
you are an American"
Elmore Case Recalled.
He flayed the action of party
leaders who, he said. failed to abide
by the spirit" of the decision in
the case of George Elmore. Colum-
oia Negro, who in July. 1947, won
the right to participate in Richland
(Columbia) County party affairs.
Judge Waring noted that his or
der in that case applied only to
Richland County, but he said that
other counties should have complied
with the spirit of the opinion in
the case.
He declared that he would in
clude in his order a reference to |
the right of relipio,ls prollns