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km mum in,, lilt; rillMAKV. Text of the Hill Now Pcmllng In the Hiatr NrtMtv ?ml Amendment* which c Hern Proposed. To the Editor of The News and Courier; The welcome political breath Inir spell suggests a fit time to turn Miblle attention to our election laws, sad especially, the bill now pending in h? eenate with amendments thereto Irawn and designed to safeguard the oallot box. The amendments were offeied by various senators and print? ed In the Senate Journal. ft is a trite truth, that however per? fect m law may bo the benefit there? from depends not only upon its execu? tion by conrtltuted authority, but by public sentiment and the resolute de? termination of the electorate to uphold It Public sentiment cannot be de? fined to be as the will and wish of this or that political faction, but can only be standardised by the cltlsens whose efforts and energies are de? voted to the upbuilding of a com? munity. Industrially, socially and po? litically. While the enforcement of all law la the mainspring of public safety the present primary law has many loopholes for loose and danger? ous practices which wise and practical legislation may remedy, and to that ?nd the co-operation of thoughtful cltlsens is asked. Surely there la no fight one should so Jealously guard, and affecting so vitally the welfare and Ideale of a community, nay, lib? erty Itself than that the voter should have his ballot counted, the election conducted fairly and results declared pursuant to law. If we do not have soch an election, then the depositing of an honest ballot is an idle cere, mony. and the boasted government by democracy Is but a rr.ore mono? cracy. From time immemorial, men have etruggled and fought for freedom and the maintenance of their rights, and it Is not necessary to recall now, but to give one brief glance only at the picture of the past, dark with despot? ism and its tragic results, but also bright with heroism and martyrdom for the establishment of human rights. If fraud and debauchery Is triumphant at the ballot box. then it Is not only Idle to talk of representative govern? ment, but a futile and foolish thin*4 for an honest man to run for office ? the cards are "stacked" and he plays against "loaded dice." If the right of a eitisen to run for office is dependent upon the length and depth of his pocketbook. then the eligibility for holding office Is, Indeed, limited to the favored few. This proposition Is patent and real? ised tv every cltlsen. There Is no particular profit In discussing past events, except by way of Illustration; what we have to do is to seek not an altralstic but practical remedy for the future. "You cannot turn the mill wheel with the water that has passed by." There Is much adverse comment as to the legislature not passing an elec? tion law last year, but very few cltl? sens realised that there was serious attention given by the senate at this last session to an election law remedy? ing existing conditions, and the dis? cussion was prolonged for several daya The bill which I request I hat you print was Introduced and discuss? ed with the view of calling attention to it. and the postponement of the meas? ure was for the people of every com? munity In this State to examine It before final action was takon there? on 1 venture the assertion that the members of the senate almost to a man feel a deep int rest in our pres? ent political conditions and do not need a public whip and spur, but only the co-operaMon and thought of the men of ev*ry community in this state. Naturally, there will be va? rious suggestions. some good, and others defective, but the measure should be given attention now, for It Is the proputy ( I the people and does j not belong to .iny political faction Kemedles wlfl Ik> gladly received, irre- | spevtlve of their ?ource. A good eloc lion law must >enetlt all. Irrespcc tlve of class, crued or condltl ?n. The truest llbeial is he . Who values men In their degree, Who virtue In a churl can prise And baseness In an earl despise Tet censures baseness in a churl And dares find virtue in an earl." respectfully. linger Slnkler. Charleston. I C. July 31, 1913. ItofomiliMc the l*rtmary. Nsaa and OsSJM gsj The letter from Senator lluger Htnkler whe h v*print thl* morn? ing takes hold of the problem of re? forming the primary at the right end. The bill to vAh?-b he < all* attention (known ?X the MlehelsoW bill) is now pendln? in the State senate It ha already been debated there i?? some length and when the legislature re SjSjSjeSJSJSjg next JgatSgfJ I Ml t'? be .x pggttd that It will be mi le the i . for ativ aetbm whh h that ?> td) m,i tske -although It Is entirely possible. , r our?e, for It |0 be amended and .hanged until if will bear no reetta blan?e to the from in wlu.h it was introduced by its author. A number of amendments, Home of them radical, are alrrady pending. These, togem er with the bill Itself, are printed along with Mr. Sinklcr's letter, and they merit investigation by all who are interestd in this supremely im? portant quest! >n. What do the pe o? ple think of the bill? What do they think of the amendments? LHspus sionate stutly and discuss.on of both should be of value and will he wel? comed. It Is most earnestly to be de? sired that the legislature shall take some action before the next election and this action ought to be of a kind which will Invite public conlldence. The present, therefore, is the time for the public to cxpicfs itself. To wait until the legislature reconvenes will bo to throw uway an opportunity. The most opend-minded of senators or representatives lacks the time after the session begins to read and digest arguments to which he would gladly give his whole attention now. The Primary Elections Hill. Calendar No. 15. Printer's No. 404?Z. Senate 8. B. No. 15. In the Senate. Head the first timo January 16, 1913. A Bill to Amend Chapter XIII of Volume 1, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1912, Relating to Primary Elections by adding thereto Addi? tional Sections to bo known as Sec? tions 282a, 282b, 282c, 282d, 282e 282f. 282g, 282h and 2821. Be It enacted by the General As? sembly of the State of South Caro? lina: Section 1. That Chapter XIII of Volume 1, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1912, relating to primary elections be amended by adding there? to additional aections, to be known as Sections 282a, 282b, 282c, 282d, 282e. 282f, 282g. 282h and 2821. The additional sections to read as follows: Section 282a- In each year, six months before the first primary of any primary election held by any political party, organization or association for the purpose of choosing candidates for office, or the election of delegates to conventions, it shall be the duty of the members und officers of each club to provide a board of registration for the enrolment of all persons who are entitled to vote at such club in the primary elections of such political party organization or association, and all persons who are qualified to vote in such primary elections under the constitution and rules of such poli? tical party, organization or associa? tion, and who are bona fide citizens of this State and of the United States, and who have been residents of this State for one year, and of the county six months, and of the township or ward three months before the first primary election of such party, or? ganization or association of any years in which an election shall be held, shall be entitled to be enrolled on such club roll: Provided, that each voter applying for enrolment on any] such club roll shall take an oath that he is duly qualified to vote in said election under the constitution and rules of such party, organization or association and under the provisions of this chapter, and that he has not enrolled as a member of any other club, and state his age und place of residence, and if in a city where the houses are numbered, the number of the residence in which he resides, and if the houses are not numbered, he shall state street and block on which he resides, and shall, on comply? ing with said terms, be enrolled and receive a certificate thereof, which shall state the precinct, the name and number of the voter and his place of residence, and the name shall be en? tered on the (dub roll, numbered as it is numbeed on the certificate, the names at each precinct to be number? ed consecutively from one (1) up?as en*, oiled ? and it shall be the duty of every board of registration to ascer? tain If the voter proposing to enroll has boen enrolled at any other pre? cinct, ar. 1 If it shall appear that he has, he cannot enroll again until his name is stricken from the list where he has already enrolled. j Section 282b. In each year, thirty days before the first primary election of any political party, organization or association, it shall be the duty of the board of registration having ( barge of the enrolment of the voters at each of tho clubs or precinct* to make out a copy of the club roll of such precinct and to certltA under oath before a no? tary public, or other officer author Ised to administer oaths under the laws of this State, that the Hatne is a true and correct cop) ??f the club roll ? >f such club, and shall llle stu b cer? tified copy with the clerk of court of the county In which such precinct is located, and the same shall be kept of record In his otl'n e. Section II to. No person shall lie allowed to vote at any primary riet tlon whose name Is not enrolled on the lull roll of the pre< ne t where he i* . ntltled to rote under the constitu? tion ami rules ??f such political party, organisation or association, in accord? ance with the provisions of this ( ban? ter, at least thirty dayg before the first primar) eleetinn of euch party, or? ganisation "i association In each year , in which an election shall be held, Beet Injj i?XLM. Any person applying Cor enrolment on the club roll of any club or paaclnct ol any political party, organisation or association, who shall he refused enrolment* shall have the right to appeal to any Circuit Judge in the circuit where sueh voter re? sides, or to any Justice of the Su? preme court from the action of the officers of auch club: Provided, that the notice and grounds of appeal be served on one of the oflleers of such club within live days after the action of said club in refusing to enrol such voter, and this uppcal shall be heard within ten days from the date of tho service of such notice, and the time and Place for the hearing of said ap? peal shall be Axed and designated in such notice; and such person, or the oflleers or members of such club shall have thet right to appeal to the Su-1 preme Court of South Carolina from th decision of the Judge or Justice who hears the same: Provided, that In the event the action of the club or precinct in refusing to enroll such person be reversed by the Judge or Justice who hears the appeal, then the name of such perrssii shall be plac? ed on the roll of such club and he shall be entitled to vote as a member of such club pending the final decis? ion of the Supreme Court. Section 28 2e. All persons enrolled at any club or precinct under the con? stitution and rules of such party, or? ganisation or association, and the pro? visions of this chapter shall be en? titled to vote at all of the primary elections of such party, organization or association upon presenting him? self at the precinct or club at which he is enrolled and taking the oath and complying with the rules of such party organization or association, and presenting the certificate of his en? rolment as a member of such precinct or club. Section 282f. This Act is not in? tended and shall not be construed to prevent any political party, organiza? tion or association from prescribing and requiring any additional require? ments and safeguards for the conduct of its primary elections, and shall not be deemed or construed to repeal or affect the provisions of Sections 283, 284 and 285 of Chapter XIII of Vol? ume 1 of Code of Laws of South Car? olina. 1912. Section 282g. The said board of primary registration' shall consist of three mmbers for each precinct, and the said board of primary registra? tion shall receive as compensation for their services the sum of ten ($10) dollars each, except in the counties of -, where the said board of primary registration shall receive the sum of-each, the same to be paid by the county board of commis? sioners, on the claims presented to them, and sworn to as provided by law: Provided, that no claim shall be paid to any member of the said boa id of primary registration, unless it shall appear that they have com? plied with the requirements of this Chapter, and have tiled certified copies of the club rolls as provided in this Chapter, The said claims shall be pre? sented to the said county com mission era at their regular meeting in Au? gust of each election year. Section 282h. That an executive committee of every such political party, organization or association, shall be provided by such political party, organization or association, for each county of the State, to be com? posed of one inembor for each club or precinct, and a chairman to be se? lected under the constitution and rules of such party, organization or asso? ciation; and it shall be the duty of the executive committee to meet at the court house in the respective counties on the first Monday of August In each election year. And tlu' said commit? tee shall have access to the club rolls tiled in the office of the clerk of court, and shall have power to hear objections on the part of any citizen to any of Bald club rolls, and if there shall be found on said club ioils the names of any persons not en? titled to vote In any of the precincts, the said committee shall have the power to purge the club rolls, and to strlko from them all such names: Provided, the committee shall notify the persons affected and the oflleers of any club or precinct of any ? hange made in the club roll, within live days thereafter and the persons stricken from said club rolls shall have the I same right and method of appeal from the action of the executive committee as is provided in Section 282d of this Act. j Section USL'i. Any person violating the provisions of this Ac! other than ?Wearing falsely shall bo guilty of a j misdemeanor, and fined not over live hundred ($600) dollars, or impglsoned nol over six (8) months, or both, at the discretion of the court Any per? son swearing falsely in any of the matters pertaining t<> primary elec? tions simii be guilty of perjury, and punished as now provided by law f<?r perjury. The board of primary res, Istratlon and managers ami members of the state and count) executive com? mittees of political parties, organiza? tions or associations, are hereby ati thorlzed lo administer oaths in nil Imatter* relating to such primary eler [lions, and t<> swear felsclj before any of them touching .such matters shall be perjury. The laid manager! shall be sworn to conduct the election fairly and legally, and each voter shall be sworn as to his right to vote and that he has not voted before at said election. Section 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. The following amendments were of fared to tin- foregoing measure: Amend the title by striking out Sec? tion 282, on line 1, and by adding Sec? tion 282g. Amend Section 1, line 1, by striking out the same words. Amend further, by striking out the word "two" after the words "State for," on line 13 page 2, and inserting in lieu thereof the word "one." Also by striking out the same line the words "one year," after the word "county," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "six months." Amend, further, by adding at the end of Section 28 2a the following: "and state his age and place of resi? dence, and if in a city where the houses are numbered, the number of the residence in which he resides, and if the houses are not numbered, he shall state the street and block on which he resides, und shall, on comply? ing with said terms, be enrolled and receive a certificate thereof, which shall state the precinct, the name and number of the voter and his place of residence, and the name shall be en? tered on the club roll, numbered as it is numbered on the certificate, the names at each precinct to be number? ed consecutively from (1) up?as en? rolled?and it shall be the duty of every board of registration to ascer? tain if the voter proposing to enrol has been enrolled at any other pre? cinct, and if it shall appear that he has, he cannot enroll again until his name is stricken from the list where he has already enrolled." Amend, further, by adding the fol? lowing as Section 282g: "Section 282g. Any person violat? ing the provisions of this Act other than swearing falsely shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined not over five hundred ($100) dollars, or im? prisoned not over six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. Any person swearing falsely in any of the matters pertaining to primary elections shall be guilty of perjury, and punished as now provided by law for being guilty of perjury. The board of primary registration and managers and members of the State and county executive committees of ? political parties, organizations or as? sociations, are hereby authorized to ; administer oaths in all matters re- i luting to such primary elections, and to swear falsely before any of them | touching such matters shall be per- j jury. The said managers shall be j sworn to conduct the election fairly | and legally, and each voter shall be j j sworn as to his right to vote, and ' j that he has not voted before at said j i election." Amend Section 282a by inserting be? tween the word "provide" and "for" on line 8, the words "a board of reg istration." Amend, further, by inserting after the word "county," on line 13, page 2, Section 282a, the following: "and of the township or ward." Amend, further, by striking out, tin line 20, page 2, Section 28 2b, the words "members and officers," and in? serting in lieu thereof the words "board of registration." Amend, further, by adding to Sec? tion 282e the following: "and pre? senting the certificate of his enrol? ment as a member of such precinct or clubs." Amend, further, by adding another section, to be known as Section 282h, as follows: "Section 282h. The said board of primary registration shall consist of t three members for each precinct, and the said board of primary registra? tion shall receive as compensation for their services the sum of ten ($Hi) dollars each, except in the counties of -, where the said board of pri mary registration shall receive the sum of - ea( h, the same to be paid by the county board of commis? sioners, on the claims presented to them, and sworn to as provided by law: Provided that no claim shall be paid to any member of the said board of primary registration, unless it shall appear that they have com? plied with the requirements of this; chapter, and have died certified copies of the club rolls as provided In thin chapter. The said claims shall be presented to the said county commis? si oners at their regular meeting in Au? gust of each election year." Amend title by striking out all after j the words "282c." i Strike out all after the words "282c" and insert the following, ?only qualified electors shall be per? mitted to \ote In any political pri maty hereafter held in this state or any counts of the State. Provided, it shall not he necessary tu produce as a prerequisite to participation in such primaries u registration receipt or tax receipt, but it shall he sulli dent for each person claiming the tight to vote to take an oath that he 'is a duly qualified eh .tot and that he is entitled t<? Vote lltlder the tub's and I constitution ?*t* the party in wii?.. . pri mary he seeks to participate. "Thai ample opportunity shall i e made for the registration of all per? sons entitled thereto and to tins end the boards of supervisors <?f registra? tion shall keep their unices open rtui ing the months of June, July and Au? gust of the y?ar 1913 and shall also ? luring said year attend in a public place in each voting precinct of their Counties for the purpose of registra? tion for at least two days, of which due notice shall be given* "That during any year in which a State primary is to h? held the books of registration shall he kept open at the cowl houne for at h ast one month an.I tin- board shall also attend fa?r at h a-t one day in each township in tin ir counties for registration, of Which due public BOtice shall be giv? en. The hooks of registration shall be closed thirty days bjsfora any pri? mary li to be held. for the services heroin required of them the said hoards of supervisors of registration shall he* paid one hun? dred dollars ea< h in addition to their ! regular compensation.*' Amend by adding at end of Sec j tion 1: "The said registration shall 1 he deemed to he the) onlj true und correct registry of qualified electors in South Carolina," \^nilt* 17ripriHQ Can't be with you all the time, I ij Ul r 11C11U? i>ut t}iejr pictures, if they are good pictures, furnish a pleasant com panship that can't be effaced. OUR PICTURES DO MOST EVERYTHING BUT TALK. Winburn, The Man Who Knows Portraiture, Sell* Picture Frame* and does Kodak finishing 10 U SOUTH MAIN STREET. I For Every Purpose Get our price* on Wood and Coal Before Placing Your Order SUMTER RETAIL LUMBER CO., Phone 56 A. A. Howetl. Mgr. Custom Is a Great Thing. It is the satisfaction derived from paying with checks that has made this a custom. 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