Year: 1879

WASHINGTON. Nov. 80, 1879.
THE OPENING OF THE stssIoN--FEELING AMONG
THE pAIrIsANs THE ELECTORAL COUNT
BILL.


Both parties show o disposition to open the ses-
sion very quietly Prominent republicans say to-day
that they do not think it good policy for the present
ut least. to recommence their old game OF drawing
out the democrats They prefer to await the devel-
opments OF the democratic policy. Prominent dem
ocrats, for their part. say that they DO not
wish to the folly of the extra session re-
peatcd. MI Atkins, chairman Of the Appropriations
Committee, holds, so some of the members OF the
committee say that the appropriation tor the pay OK
marshas for election purposes which failed at the
extra session and which comes up now as a de-
hciency, should be promptly provided for py the
House and the moderate democrats desire to avoid
q repetition of the heated discussions aud futile
contests with the President into which they were
led last summer 1t remains to be seen, however,
whether they control their wild men, and if not
whether the moderates will have the frmness and
good cut adrift from these wild men. Lead
ing democratic Senators desire to bring up for SET
tlement at the earliest day the bill providing for
better method Of counting the votes for President
and Vice President. 1t is probable, however, that
this will prolonged and tedious de-
bate in the Senate. which on numerous occa-
sions has shown itself very anxious
to leave this unfortunate question open and
unsettled. The late Senator Morton; who took
very great interest in the matter. tried on two
three occasions to get some definite rule adopted,
but with all his pertinacity always failed, finding
opponents in his party as we'll as among the
democrats. 1t is curious tact that the Senate did
once pass a bill to which tho House then ready
to consent without delay. but Senator Thur
man. after the passage, moved reconsidera-
ton for trivial cause. To obiige
him the Senators granted reconsideration and the
bill again heard Of Now if this bill of
Senator Morton had become q law. would have
happened but for Senator Thurman's interference,
its provisions would have carried Mr.. Tilden into
the White House in 1877 without electoral COM
mission any other troublesome extraordinary
expedient.


SOUTH CAROLINA POLITICS-PROPOSED EDUCA-
TIoNAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FOR The
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.


A new movement in South Carolina politics at
tracts attention here. 1t is for educational quail
ncaion for voters The Bourbons in that State have
determined, under the leadership of General
Martin Gary, to sweep the State next
year. when Governor is to be
chosen and to do so by general intimidation and
tissue ballots. in defiance of Senator Hampton and
the moderates who recognize him their leader.
There is good deal of irritation between the two





ming to appeal to the people for quiet and SEN
sibe action. prominent and able member Of
the Charleston Bar, Edward McCrary. has published
in pamphlet form suggestion that the Legislature
shall order registration of voters. and require
every voter to write his own name the regstra-
tion book those unable to write their names and to
read to be excluded from voting That is to say. he
proposes educational qualification such Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut already havo.


EFFECT THE QUALIFICATION.


He admits that white we'll black voters would
be excluded this rule but says that the State
has established and fostered free schools for both
races, and that IL any man, white black, cannot
read and write it is his own fault and he ought to
suffer.


In the course of his argument he points out that
the democrats have maintained on the statute books
all relating to elections which they have de-
nounced as iniqutous while the republicans ruled.
He tells them that neither fraud violence will
be tolerated by the country at large and yet
that under the present system, which maintains
the line, the democrats carry the State in
1880 only by fraud violence both, and that
fraud is demoraizing to those who engage in it. and
ought not be endured. while violence will not be
allowed by the country. He says


II the negro vote is to remain in its ignorance
and majority. then let encourage rather than
denim independents. Let US do all we can to divide
it, II in dividing it divide the white vote also.
Better. lar better, that whites and blacks should
alike be divided. and white men be FREQ to exert
their influence. pro and con-, among the negroes.
than by system OF exclusion to wall up this i'm
mense black vote against and then expect to
come 1t by force or fraud.


Finally he says:-'Let do something to show
that after got the government we knew what to
do with it,"


THE NEGRO


Mr.. McCrarys pamphlet confirms the reports
already received here that the negroes almost
soldly massed against the present democratic party
in the State, and that IL they allowed to voto
they will be able to elect whomever they nomi-
nate. But South Carolina democrats openly say
that the negroes will not appear at polls at any
rate any numbers. The plan is to keep the whites
solid by fierce denunciation of all independent
movements, and 60 scare of the blacks and thus
carry the State.


HAMPTON.


1t remains to DO whether senator Hampton
and tho moderates who have far acted with him
will submit to the proposed Intimidation. Hampton
has already beca openly told in South Carolina
that he had better go to Washington, mind
his own business and leave the State politics alone
Some OF his friends say that If the moderates are
pushed to the wall Hampton will resign his seat in
the Senate and accept the nomination for Governor
himself But !. begins to be doubtful whether Gen.
eral Gary thus be crowded off the track, and It
to be certain that the negroes have to
siderable extent lost faith in Hampton.


The politics OF South Carolina and Mississippi
will be carefully watched here by the republicans
who will protest against the electoral of these
two States being received next winter il tic negroes
are prevented from voting. and they mean to cause
.hc public at large to understand plainly what is
.ong on I'm those states. to create apubc opin-
on which will require their exclusion from the
Presidential contest unless there is fair and full
vote. The proposal for an educational qualification
has the cordial approval of Influential Northern
publicans.


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